World Cup 2026 Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama fixtures and odds

What Group L looks like for World Cup 2026

World Cup 2026 Group L is shaping up as one of the more intriguing pools in the tournament, pairing two European heavyweights in England and Croatia with African side Ghana and CONCACAF representatives Panama. Sky Sports has published a full breakdown of the group's fixtures, schedule, standings format and odds ahead of the competition.

England enter as the heavy favorites in Group L. Gareth Southgate's successor will be tasked with steering the Three Lions through what looks, on paper, like a manageable group. Croatia, runners-up at the 2018 World Cup and semi-finalists in 2022, provide the most credible threat. Ghana and Panama are unlikely to go quietly, but both sides face significant gaps in quality compared to the top two.

Fixtures and schedule

The 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with matches spread across 16 venues on the continent. Group L games will be distributed across several of those host cities, though specific venue allocations for each fixture are subject to the tournament's scheduling logistics.

Each team plays the other three sides once in the group stage. England vs Croatia is the standout match and will attract the bulk of the attention from a global audience. Ghana vs Panama offers both nations a genuine opportunity to bank three points and stay in contention, making that fixture pivotal for the lower-ranked sides.

The group stage operates on a standard points system: three points for a win, one for a draw, none for a defeat. The top two teams advance to the round of 16.

How the odds look

England are the clear favorites to top Group L, reflecting their squad depth and consistency in major tournaments in recent years. Croatia are priced as second favorites to progress, which aligns with their track record of punching above their weight on the biggest stage. Luka Modric's international future will be a talking point heading into the group, depending on whether the veteran midfielder is still part of the setup by the time the tournament begins.

Ghana have previous World Cup experience and a tradition of producing technically gifted players, but their odds reflect the step up in quality they face against England and Croatia. Panama, who famously made their World Cup debut in 2018 in Russia, will be aiming to make the group stage count this time around, with home-continent support likely to boost the atmosphere when they play on North American soil.

Betting markets generally see England and Croatia as near-certainties to advance, with Ghana and Panama competing for any realistic outside chance of a surprise.

Context and what to watch

For England, a group-stage exit would represent a serious failure given the talent available. The pressure will be on from the first whistle, particularly as the nation continues to wait for a first major international trophy since 1966.

Croatia's ability to organize defensively and stay competitive in tight matches makes them dangerous regardless of squad age. Their experience in knockout football is arguably unmatched among the four sides in Group L.

Ghana's performances will depend heavily on squad selection and whether their younger generation of players, several of whom compete in Europe's top leagues, can gel as a unit. Panama's strength has traditionally come from defensive discipline and collective effort rather than individual brilliance, a style that can frustrate opponents in short tournament formats.

Sky Sports' guide covers the full fixture list, kick-off times, a live standings table once the group stage is underway, and updated odds from major bookmakers. Fans tracking Group L throughout the tournament can use that resource for a consolidated view of results and progression.

With three nations from different confederations sharing the group alongside England, Group L carries a cross-continental flavor that reflects what makes the World Cup distinct from any other competition.