WC 2026 Group L Guide: Squads and Fixtures

The 2026 World Cup Group L brings together one of the favourites England with 2018 finalist Croatia in a classic rematch story; the two teams last met at the 2018 Russia World Cup semi-final, where Croatia won that match 2-1 in extra time and kept England away from the final. Under German manager Thomas Tuchel, England aims to end the 60-year championship drought; captain Harry Kane experienced a record season at club level with 61 goals at Bayern Munich. Croatia under Zlatko Dalić goes to Luka Modrić's last tournament of his career; the 40-year-old captain holds the country record with 196 international matches. Ghana comes to the tournament with a major crisis wave: Otto Addo was dismissed in March 2026, 73-year-old Carlos Queiroz took office in April; Mohammed Kudus, who scored the goal that secured the ticket, will miss the World Cup due to injury. Panama goes to its second World Cup participation after 2018 Russia; under Danish manager Thomas Christiansen, they are in pursuit of their first World Cup victory. The group's matches will be played in the US cities of Arlington/Dallas (AT&T Stadium), Foxborough/Boston (Gillette Stadium), East Rutherford/New York (MetLife Stadium), Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field) and the Canadian city of Toronto (BMO Field).

Team Profiles and Announced Squads

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England (Manager: Thomas Tuchel) German manager Tuchel replaced Gareth Southgate in January 2025 and took England through the UEFA qualifying unbeaten, securing his ticket early. 17th World Cup participation in history; the only championship came in England 1966. Tuchel announced the 26-man squad on May 22 with a live broadcast from Wembley Stadium. Captain Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) takes England to the World Cup as captain for a record third time; Billy Wright had achieved this success in 1950, 1954 and 1958. Kane experienced a record season with 61 club goals at Bayern Munich, scoring 76 goals in 110 international matches. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Declan Rice (Arsenal) and Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) go to their second World Cup participation. Marcus Rashford (Barcelona) goes to his third World Cup. Jordan Henderson (Brentford) was invited to his fourth World Cup, equalling Sir Bobby Charlton's record. There are big surprises in the squad: Phil Foden and Cole Palmer were left out, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire were also not selected. Jarell Quansah (Leverkusen) was preferred over Maguire. Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli) got his first international invitation since June 2025. Together with Marc Guéhi, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Eberechi Eze from EURO 2024, 11 players go to their first World Cup.

• Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)
• Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), John Stones (Manchester City), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Djed Spence (Tottenham), Tino Livramento (Newcastle)
• Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Jordan Henderson (Brentford — 4th WC, equalling Charlton's record), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid — number 10), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal — PL champion)
• Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich — captain, season 61 club goals, record 3rd WC as captain), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Noni Madueke

🇭🇷 Croatia (Manager: Zlatko Dalić) Dalić, in the role since 2017, had carried Croatia to losing the 2018 final 4-2 to France in penalties and winning third place at Qatar 2022 while being eliminated to Argentina in the semi-final. Croatia completed its UEFA qualifying group first ahead of Czechia, Faroe Islands, Montenegro and Gibraltar; 7 wins 1 draw in 8 matches (the goalless draw away to Czechia), scored 26 goals conceded 4 goals. They guaranteed their ticket by beating the Faroe Islands 3-1 on November 14, 2025. Dalić announced the 26-man squad on May 18, additionally invited 7 players for the reserve list. 7th World Cup participation in history; the best result was finalist status in 2018. Captain Luka Modrić (AC Milan) at 40 holds the country record with 196 international matches; was taken into the squad after recovering from cheekbone fracture surgery in April, on track to reach his 200th international match at the World Cup. Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) returned in the Crystal Palace match on May 14 after a five-month gap following the right shin fracture he suffered in January 2026 and is ready for the tournament. Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City) entered the squad with a return after injury. Veteran names Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić and young midfield trio Martin Baturina, Luka Sučić and Petar Sučić are on stage to replace Modrić in the long term.

• Goalkeepers: Dominik Livaković (Girona), Ivica Ivušić (Pafos), Nediljko Labrović (Rijeka)
• Defenders: Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City), Joško Šutalo (Ajax), Josip Stanišić (Bayern Munich), Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens), Borna Sosa (Torino), Marin Pongračić (Fiorentina)
• Midfielders: Luka Modrić (AC Milan — captain, 40, 196 caps, country record), Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta), Nikola Vlašić (Torino), Luka Sučić (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Petar Sučić (Inter), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka)
• Forwards: Ivan Perišić (PSV), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pašalić (Orlando City), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Igor Matanović (SC Freiburg)

🇬🇭 Ghana (Manager: Carlos Queiroz) The 73-year-old Portuguese manager Queiroz took office on April 13, 2026 replacing Otto Addo; Addo was dismissed in March after preparation matches lost to Austria and Germany. Queiroz goes to his fifth consecutive World Cup in a career that saw him managing national teams like Portugal (2010 WC), Iran (2014, 2018, 2022 WC), South Africa (2002 WC qualifying), Colombia, Egypt, Qatar and Oman. Ghana's 5th World Cup participation in history; the best result was the quarter-final at 2010 South Africa, lost on penalties to Uruguay. They guaranteed their ticket on October 12, 2025 in their home match against the Comoros which they won 1-0, with Mohammed Kudus scoring the goal. But big drama: Kudus (Tottenham) will miss the tournament due to injury; the player who secured the ticket will not be able to take the field. Former captain André Ayew was not included in the squad despite being due to go to his fourth World Cup. Mohammed Salisu is out due to ACL rupture, Alexander Djiku due to hamstring injury. Captain Jordan Ayew (Leicester) scored 7 goals in the qualifying process. Antoine Semenyo transferred from Bournemouth to Manchester City in January 2026 for approximately 62.5 million pounds; scored 10 Premier League goals at the start of the season. Iñaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao) is the player who chose Ghana instead of Spain. Thomas Partey (Villarreal) is the midfield anchor. 6 players of the squad play in Ligue 1. Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry City) will carry Kudus's vacant number 10.

• Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Joseph Anang (St Patrick's Athletic)
• Defenders: Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Derrick Köhn (Union Berlin), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Patric Pfeiffer (Augsburg), Marvin Senaya (Strasbourg), Kojo Peprah Oppong (Nice — 21)
• Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre — injury return), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester — previous ACL injury), Salis Abdul Samed (Lens), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon)
• Forwards: Jordan Ayew (Leicester — captain, 7 qualifying goals), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City — January 2026 transfer, season 10 PL goals), Iñaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao — chose Ghana over Spain), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry City — will carry Kudus's number 10), Mohammed Sulemana

🇵🇦 Panama (Manager: Thomas Christiansen) Danish manager Christiansen carried Panama to its second World Cup participation in history after 2018 Russia. The Canal Country closed the first group stage of CONCACAF qualifiers with 4 wins in 4 matches; completed the second group stage unbeaten. After eliminating Suriname, Guatemala and El Salvador, they guaranteed their ticket with a 3-0 home victory against El Salvador on November 19, 2025. Christiansen announced the 26-man squad on May 26 at the Panama Canal Administration Building. 7 players from 2018 are in the squad; they are in pursuit of the first World Cup victory in history (in 2018 they had lost 6-1 to England, 3-0 to Belgium, 2-1 to Tunisia). Captain Aníbal Godoy (San Diego FC) at 36 is a defensive midfielder holding the country record with 157 international matches. Adalberto "Coco" Carrasquilla (Pumas UNAM) at 27 is the team's creative center; suffered a groin injury in the Liga MX final lost to Cruz Azul but Christiansen took him to the squad. Veteran forward Alberto Quintero was taken to the squad after missing 2018 due to injury. Botafogo midfielder Kadir Barria was a surprise omission. They will play preparation matches against Brazil, Dominican Republic and Bosnia-Herzegovina and set up camp in Canada.

• Goalkeepers: Orlando Mosquera (Al-Fayha), Luis Mejía (Nacional Uruguay), César Samudio (Marathón)
• Defenders: Michael Amir Murillo (Marseille), Eric Davis (35, 100+ caps), José Córdoba, Andrés Andrade, Carlos Harvey, Edgar Yoel Bárcenas
• Midfielders: Aníbal Godoy (San Diego FC — captain, 36, 157 caps, country record), Adalberto Carrasquilla (Pumas UNAM — 27, groin injury in Liga MX final), Cristian Martínez, Cecilio Waterman, Ismael Díaz
• Forwards: José Fajardo, Alberto Quintero (veteran — missed 2018 due to injury), Eduardo Guerrero, Cesar Yanis

Group L Fixtures (Local Time)

Matchday 1 — Wednesday, June 17, 2026

• England vs Croatia | AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Texas) | 15:00 (local CT)
• Ghana vs Panama | BMO Field, Toronto (Canada) | 19:00 (local ET)

Matchday 2 — Tuesday, June 23, 2026

• England vs Ghana | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Massachusetts) | 16:00 (local ET)
• Panama vs Croatia | BMO Field, Toronto (Canada) | 19:00 (local ET)

Matchday 3 — Saturday, June 27, 2026

• Panama vs England | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (New Jersey) | 17:00 (local ET)
• Croatia vs Ghana | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) | 17:00 (local ET)

The group winner and runner-up will advance directly to the round of 32, while the third-placed team will be evaluated based on the performance of the third-place teams of other groups. The 8 best third-place teams will also join the round of 32.

Europe and Turkey Times

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

• England - Croatia: 22:00 CEST | 23:00 TST
• Ghana - Panama: 01:00 CEST (June 18) | 02:00 TST (June 18)

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

• England - Ghana: 22:00 CEST | 23:00 TST
• Panama - Croatia: 01:00 CEST (June 24) | 02:00 TST (June 24)

Saturday, June 27, 2026

• Panama - England: 23:00 CEST | 00:00 TST (June 28)
• Croatia - Ghana: 23:00 CEST | 00:00 TST (June 28)

Image: www.mlssoccer.com