Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place from June 17 to 27, 2026. The group consisted of England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.
England finished as group leaders, with Croatia finishing as runners-up after crucial victories against Panama and Ghana in their subsequent two group games. Thus, both teams advanced to the round of 32.
Ghana finished in third place, and were able to advance as one of the top eight third-place teams. Panama lost all three group games without scoring a goal, thus making them the first national team to not score in a World Cup since Honduras in 2010.
Additionally, it was England’s first World Cup ever played on U.S. soil after missing out the 1994 edition.
Teams Draw position Team Pot Confederation Method ofqualification Date ofqualification Finalsappearance Lastappearance Previous bestperformance FIFA Rankings November 2025 June 2026 L1 1 UEFA UEFA Group K winner October 14, 2025 17th 2022 Winner (1966) 4 4 L2 2 UEFA UEFA Group L winner November 14, 2025 7th 2022 Runner-up (2018) 10 11 L3 4 CAF CAF Group I winner October 12, 2025 5th 2022 Quarterfinals (2010) 72 73 L4 3 CONCACAF CONCACAF Group A winner November 18, 2025 2nd 2018 Group stage (2018) 30 34 Notes
Standings
In the round of 32: The winner of Group L, England, advanced to play the third-place team of Group K, DR Congo. The runner-up of Group L, Croatia, advanced to play the runner-up of Group K, Portugal. The third-place team of Group L, Ghana, advanced to play the winner of Group K, Colombia, as one of the eight best third-place teams from the group stage.
Matches All times listed are local.
England vs Croatia The teams had previously met in eleven previous matches, including a 2–1 semi-final win in 2018 for Croatia to advance to their first final. Their most recent meeting was in the UEFA Euro 2020 group stage, with England winning 1–0.
In the 12th minute, England were awarded a penalty after Luka Modric fouled Noni Madueke with a kick inside the penalty area. Harry Kane took the penalty which was saved down low to his left by Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livaković. The penalty had to be re-taken as Livaković was judged to have moved off his line before it was kicked, Kane again took the penalty and scored into the right of the net to put England into a 1–0 lead. In the 36th minute Martin Baturina made it 1–1 with a right foot shot to the top left corner of the net from outside the penalty area on the right which England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford got a hand to but couldn't prevent from going into the net. In the 42nd minute, England went back in front when Kane headed to the left of the net after making a run to meet a corner from the right by Declan Rice. With his second goal, Kane equalled Gary Lineker’s goals record for England at the World Cup with 10 goals. Five minutes later it was 2–2 when Petar Musa fired to the net from the left inside the penalty area after a header back to him from Ivan Perišić.
England went back in front, two minutes into the second half when Jude Bellingham received the ball on the right before cutting in and shooting right footed low to the left corner of the net from the right of the penalty area. It was 4–2 in the 85th minute when substitute Marcus Rashford received the ball on the left of the penalty area before cutting in on his right foot and shooting low to the right corner of the net.
GK 1 Jordan PickfordRB 24Reece JamesCB 2 Ezri KonsaCB 5 John Stones LB 3 Nico O'ReillyCM 8 Elliot AndersonCM 4 Declan Rice RW 20Noni Madueke AM 10Jude Bellingham LW 18Anthony Gordon CF 9 Harry Kane (c)Substitutions:MF 17Morgan Rogers FW 7 Bukayo Saka FW 11Marcus Rashford DF 25Djed Spence DF 6 Marc Guéhi Manager: Thomas Tuchel GK 1 Dominik LivakovićCB 6 Josip ŠutaloCB 22Luka Vušković CB 4 Joško GvardiolRM 2 Josip StanišićCM 10Luka Modrić (c) CM 15Mario Pašalić LM 14Ivan PerišićRF 17Petar SučićCF 26Petar Musa LF 16Martin Baturina Substitutions:MF 8 Mateo Kovačić FW 24Marco Pašalić FW 20Igor Matanović FW 9 Andrej Kramarić MF 13Nikola Vlašić Manager:Zlatko Dalić
Man of the Match: Harry Kane (England)
Assistant referees: Nicolas Danos (France) Benjamin Pagès (France) Fourth official: Katia Itzel García (Mexico) Reserve assistant referee: Sandra Ramírez (Mexico) Video assistant referee: Jérôme Brisard (France) Assistant video assistant referee: Willy Delajod (France) Support video assistant referee: Fedayi San (Switzerland)
Ghana vs Panama The two teams had never met before.
In the 95th minute, Caleb Yirenkyi got the winning goal with a close range finish after a low cross by Brandon Thomas-Asante from the left, securing a 1–0 win and becoming the second-youngest player to score for Ghana at a World Cup behind Haminu Draman. The 95th minute strike was also Ghana's latest ever goal scored in regulation time at a World Cup.
GK 1 Lawrence Ati-Zigi RB 26Marvin SenayaCB 4 Jonas AdjeteyCB 18Jerome OpokuLB 14Gideon MensahDM 15Elisha Owusu CM 3 Caleb Yirenkyi CM 22Kamaldeen Sulemana RF 24Ernest Nuamah CF 9 Jordan Ayew (c) LF 11Antoine SemenyoSubstitutions:GK 16 Benjamin Asare MF 7 Abdul Fatawu FW 10 Brandon Thomas-Asante MF 8 Kwasi Sibo FW 25 Prince Kwabena Adu Manager: Carlos Queiroz GK 22Orlando MosqueraCB 13Jiovany RamosCB 3 José CórdobaCB 16Andrés AndradeRM 23Michael Amir MurilloCM 14Carlos Harvey CM 11Yoel Bárcenas (c)LM 2 César Blackman RF 6 Cristian Martínez CF 18Cecilio Waterman LF 7 José Luis Rodríguez Substitutions:FW 17 José Fajardo FW 24 Azarias Londoño MF 10 Ismael Díaz MF 20 Aníbal Godoy Manager: Thomas Christiansen
Man of the Match: Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)
Assistant referees: Mahbod Beigi (Sweden) Andreas Söderkvist (Sweden) Fourth official: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia) Reserve assistant referee: Mohammed Al-Bakry (Saudi Arabia) Video assistant referee: (Belgium) Assistant video assistant referee: Marco Di Bello (Italy) Support video assistant referee: Bastian Dankert (Germany)
England vs Ghana
England had previously faced Ghana only once, a 1–1 friendly draw in 2011.
In a game of few chances, in the 66th minute Jordan Pickford collided with Prince Kwabena Adu outside the penalty area with a free awarded to Pickford.
In the 78th minute Ghana had a potential penalty not awarded, Ezri Konsa dived in to challenge Prince Kwabena Adu in the penalty area, bringing him down without making any contact with the ball. Bukayo Saka had a low shot from the right saved by Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asare. Nico O'Reilly also headed against the bar from six yards out after a cross from Marcus Rashford from the right with Harry Kane shooting the rebound over the bar, with the match finishing 0–0.
GK 1 Jordan PickfordRB 24Reece JamesCB 2 Ezri KonsaCB 6 Marc GuéhiLB 25Djed Spence CM 8 Elliot Anderson CM 4 Declan Rice RW 20Noni Madueke AM 10Jude Bellingham LW 18Anthony Gordon CF 9 Harry Kane (c)Substitutions:FW 7 Bukayo Saka DF 3 Nico O'Reilly MF 21Eberechi Eze MF 17Morgan Rogers FW 11Marcus Rashford Manager: Thomas Tuchel GK 16Benjamin AsareRB 26Marvin Senaya CB 4 Jonas AdjeteyCB 18Jerome OpokuLB 14Gideon MensahRM 19Iñaki Williams CM 3 Caleb YirenkyiCM 5 Thomas ParteyLM 8 Kwasi SiboCF 9 Jordan Ayew (c) CF 11Antoine SemenyoSubstitutions:MF 7 Abdul Fatawu FW 25Prince Kwabena Adu DF 21Kojo Peprah Oppong DF 17Abdul Rahman Baba Manager: Carlos Queiroz
Man of the Match: Jude Bellingham (England)
Assistant referees: Walter López (Honduras) Christian Ramírez (Honduras) Fourth official: Ma Ning (China) Reserve assistant referee: Zhou Fei (China) Video assistant referee: Armando Villarreal (United States) Assistant video assistant referee: Erick Miranda (Mexico) Support video assistant referee: (Saudi Arabia)
Panama vs Croatia The two teams had never met before.
Luka Modrić made his 200th appearance for Croatia in his fifth World Cup, becoming the fourth player to reach that number.
In the 54th minute, Ante Budimir scored the only goal of the game for Croatia when he finished at the back post from five yards out after a low cross from Josip Stanišić on the right. With this defeat, Panama were eliminated from the tournament.
GK 22Orlando MosqueraCB 13Jiovany Ramos CB 3 José CórdobaCB 16Andrés AndradeRM 23Michael Amir MurilloCM 14Carlos HarveyCM 11Yoel Bárcenas (c) LM 2 César Blackman RF 6 Cristian MartínezCF 17José Fajardo LF 7 José Luis RodríguezSubstitutions:FW 18Cecilio Waterman FW 24Azarias Londoño DF 15Eric Davis FW 9 Tomás Rodríguez Manager: Thomas Christiansen GK 1 Dominik LivakovićRB 2 Josip StanišićCB 6 Josip ŠutaloCB 3 Marin PongračićLB 4 Joško Gvardiol CM 10Luka Modrić (c) CM 8 Mateo Kovačić RW 24Marco Pašalić AM 16Martin BaturinaLW 14Ivan PerišićCF 26Petar Musa Substitutions:FW 11Ante Budimir FW 9 Andrej Kramarić MF 21Luka Sučić MF 17Petar Sučić MF 15Mario Pašalić Manager:Zlatko Dalić
Man of the Match: Cristian Martínez (Panama)
Assistant referees: Boris Ditsoga (Gabon) Amos Abeigne Ndong (Gabon) Fourth official: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia) Reserve assistant referee: Mohammed Al-Bakry (Saudi Arabia) Video assistant referee: Nicolás Gallo (Colombia) Assistant video assistant referee: Fu Ming (China) Support video assistant referee: Bastian Dankert (Germany)
Panama vs England The teams had only met once before, when England defeated debutant Panama 6–1 in a group stage match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
With three additional defeats, Panama now has six overall losses from its two World Cup appearances, remaining winless in its return after 8 years, and left the tournament as the only team that failed to score a goal.
GK 22Orlando MosqueraCB 4 Fidel EscobarCB 3 José CórdobaCB 16Andrés Andrade RM 23Michael Amir MurilloCM 14Carlos Harvey CM 11Yoel Bárcenas (c) LM 26Jorge Gutiérrez RF 6 Cristian MartínezCF 9 Tomás Rodríguez LF 7 José Luis Rodríguez Substitutions:FW 17José Fajardo MF 10Ismael Díaz FW 24Azarias Londoño MF 19Alberto Quintero DF 15Eric Davis Manager: Thomas Christiansen GK 1 Jordan PickfordRB 26Jarell Quansah CB 2 Ezri KonsaCB 6 Marc GuéhiLB 3 Nico O'ReillyCM 8 Elliot Anderson CM 10Jude Bellingham RW 7 Bukayo Saka AM 17Morgan RogersLW 11Marcus RashfordCF 9 Harry Kane (c) Substitutions:DF 25Djed Spence FW 20Noni Madueke MF 21Eberechi Eze FW 19Ollie Watkins MF 14Jordan Henderson Manager: Thomas Tuchel
Man of the Match: Jude Bellingham (England)
Assistant referees: Taleb Al-Marri (Qatar) Saud Al-Maqaleh (Qatar) Fourth official: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland) Reserve assistant referee: Stéphane De Almeida (Switzerland) Video assistant referee: (Chile) Assistant video assistant referee: Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar) Support video assistant referee: (Saudi Arabia)
Croatia vs Ghana The two teams had never met before.
With Croatia's 2–1 win, this meant that both teams advanced to the round of 32, with Croatia facing off Portugal and Ghana up against Colombia.
GK 1 Dominik LivakovićRB 2 Josip StanišićCB 6 Josip ŠutaloCB 3 Marin PongračićLB 14Ivan Perišić CM 10Luka Modrić (c)CM 8 Mateo Kovačić RW 17Petar SučićAM 13Nikola Vlašić LW 16Martin Baturina CF 11Ante Budimir Substitutions:FW 20Igor Matanović MF 15Mario Pašalić DF 4 Joško Gvardiol FW 24Marco Pašalić Manager:Zlatko Dalić GK 16Benjamin AsareRB 26Marvin SenayaCB 4 Jonas Adjetey CB 23Derrick LuckassenLB 14Gideon MensahDM 5 Thomas ParteyCM 15Elisha Owusu CM 8 Kwasi Sibo RF 11Antoine SemenyoCF 9 Jordan Ayew (c) LF 22Kamaldeen Sulemana Substitutions:DF 21Kojo Peprah Oppong MF 7 Abdul Fatawu FW 10Brandon Thomas-Asante FW 24Ernest Nuamah MF 3 Caleb Yirenkyi Manager: Carlos Queiroz
Man of the Match: Petar Sučić (Croatia)
Assistant referees: Micheal Barwegen (Canada) Lyes Arfa (Canada) Fourth official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand) Reserve assistant referee: Isaac Trevis (New Zealand) Video assistant referee: Guillermo Pacheco (Mexico) Assistant video assistant referee: Rodolpho Toski (Brazil) Support video assistant referee: (Poland)
Discipline