World Cup 2026 Group L Preview: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

England tries once again to bring football home, while Modric tries to bring football back to Zagreb with a team full of the next generation. Ghana attempts to recreate the World Cup magic of 2010, while Panama might just be happy to be here, but don't underestimate them. Here's what to know.

England (Three Lions)

Coach Thomas Tuchel

Hot take. This could be the year that England wins the World Cup for the first time since 1966. If Spain didn't exist, and France, and Portugal, and.. Well, it's funny, but this actually could be the year that England wins.

One thing to know that'll make you sound smart to your friends. "England’s 2026 World Cup squad includes nine players making their first World Cup appearance."

Word from home. Thomas Tuchel, on the belief inside his squad:

"we can go a long way." Thomas Tuchel, Sky Sports

The story. The story is the British press is relentless. After years of publicly flogging Gareth Southgate, Tuchel's squad reveal left out Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold while recalling Ivan Toney, and the Brits were pissed. Still, against a backdrop of a perfect qualifying run that conceded no goals, I feel like Tuchel knows what he's doing.

Head vs. heart. Opta's supercomputer makes England 67.5 percent to top Group L, the third-best top-the-group chance of any team, and rates them third-favorites for the title at 11.2 percent, reaching the final 19 percent of the time.

One thing to read. Soccer, the Last Acceptable Form of Nationalism, Slate (2002).

Croatia (Vatreni)

Coach Zlatko Dalić

Hot take. Modrić's farewell, and the perennial overachievers may have one more deep run in them.

One thing to know that'll make you sound smart to your friends. "In just seven World Cups since gaining independence, Croatia, a country of under four million people, have reached the semifinals three times, including the 2018 final."

Word from home. Luka Modrić, previewing what is set to be his international farewell:

"We're competitive, though I don't know how far we can go." Luka Modrić, Index.hr

The story. Zlatko Dalić's squad is built around Modrić's farewell after two decades, with a generational handover to Martin Baturina, Joško Gvardiol and Luka Vušković underway.

Head vs. heart. Opta's supercomputer gives Croatia a 76.9 percent chance of the knockouts, second in the group behind England.

One thing to read. The Tragicomic Opera of Croatia's Mario Mandžukić, The New Yorker (2018).

Ghana (Black Stars)

Coach Carlos Queiroz

Hot take. The talent is there for Ghana to head to the Round of 32.

One thing to know that'll make you sound smart to your friends. "In 2010, Ghana came within a missed extra-time penalty of becoming the first African men’s team to reach a World Cup semifinal, after Luis Suárez handled the ball on the line."

Word from home. A Ghanaian columnist on a squad reveal:

"not excitement but bewilderment." MyJoyOnline

The story. New coach Carlos Queiroz, in for the sacked Otto Addo, made some interesting call, but the gut-punch wasn't his. Mohammed Kudus, who scored the goal that booked Ghana's ticket, misses the tournament through injury. Queiroz leans instead on Thomas Partey in midfield and Antoine Semenyo, fresh off his January move to Manchester City, as the man Ghana's attack runs through.

Head vs. heart. Opta's supercomputer gives Ghana a 49.5 percent chance of the round of 32.

One thing to read. The Pan-Africanist Roots of Football in Ghana, Africa Is a Country (2018).

Panama (La Marea Roja)

Coach Thomas Christiansen

Hot take. The longest shot in the group of death, but a single result would make it their best World Cup in history.

One thing to know that'll make you sound smart to your friends. "Panama are at only their second World Cup, and are the only Central American nation at the tournament."

Word from home. Coach Thomas Christiansen, defending his squad choices:

"I always seek what's best for Panamanian football." Thomas Christiansen, Telemetro

The story. As with most countries, there were questions about the manager's choices in squad. But this team is chock-full of talent, including players from Liga MX, Premier League, Super Lig, Bundesliga (Austria), and all of the South American major leagues.

Head vs. heart. Opta's supercomputer gives Panama a 40.0 percent chance of the round of 32. Not bad considering it's their second World Cup.

One thing to read. Luis Tejada: The Journeyman Striker Hoping to Fulfil a Message from God, The Guardian.

Group L: Fixtures to watch / predictions

Fixtures to watch.

• Wed, Jun 17: England vs Croatia, 4:00 p.m. ET (FOX / Telemundo)
• Tue, Jun 23: England vs Ghana, 4:00 p.m. ET (FOX / Telemundo)
• Tue, Jun 23: Panama vs Croatia, 7:00 p.m. ET (FOX / Telemundo)
• Sat, Jun 27: Panama vs England, 5:00 p.m. ET (FOX / Telemundo)
• Sat, Jun 27: Croatia vs Ghana, 5:00 p.m. ET (FS1 / Universo)

The call.