FIFA World Cup 2026: Group L is closest thing to a 'group of death' at this tournament

ENGLAND I RANK: 4 I BEST RESULT: WINNERS (1966)

It is 60 years since England won the World Cup on home soil in 1966 — their one and only major international trophy. However, England have enjoyed a sustained period of going deep in major tournaments over the past eight years, reaching the semifinals of the World Cup in 2018 and then successive finals at the European Championship in 2021 and 2024. That was under former manager Gareth Southgate, who stepped down after losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain and was replaced by German coach Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel steered England to qualification for the World Cup with a perfect winning record and without conceding a goal. Still, performances have not always been convincing and it is questionable if England’s squad has improved or gone backwards since the Euros.

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CROATIA I RANK: 11 I BEST RESULT: RUNNERS-UP (2018)

Croatia have made a habit of delivering at the World Cup. They came third at their very first World Cup in 1998 after independence from Yugoslavia. Twenty years later they reached the final of the 2018 World Cup, which they lost to France. In Qatar four years ago, Croatia were semi-finalists — eliminating Brazil along the way. Luka Modric remains their leading player even at the age of 40. Man City midfielder Mateo Kovacic has missed much of the season through injury, but is expected to be fit in time for the World Cup.

GHANA I RANK: 74 I BEST RESULT: QFS (2010)

Man City forward Semenyo is the standout player for Ghana and heads to the World Cup after an impressive season in the Premier League. Ghana have qualified for five of the last six World Cups, with their best performance coming in 2010 when they advanced to the quarterfinals. That loss is considered one the greatest miscarriages of justice in the tournament’s history after Uruguay’s Luis Suarez used his hand to clear Dominic Adiyah’s header off the line in the last minute of extra time. Suarez was sent off and Ghana were awarded a penalty, but Asamoah Gyan failed to convert. Uruguay went on to win a shootout. Ghana have not advanced from the group stage since.

PANAMA I RANK: 33 I BEST RESULT: GROUP STAGE (2018)

Panama will play in only their second World Cup, having previously qualified in 2018. They finished top of their qualifying group and have produced impressive runs in recent tournaments — reaching the finals of the 2023 Gold Cup and 2025 CONCACAF Nations League.


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