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FIFA 2026: Group “L” shapes up as a true ‘Group of Death’

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KATHMANDU: The presence of England national football team, Croatia national football team, Ghana national football team and Panama national football team has made Group “L” one of the most competitive and unpredictable groups in the upcoming World Cup, widely labeled as a classic “Group of Death.”

In a historic edition featuring 48 teams, tournament organizers had aimed to reduce the chances of multiple elite sides ending up in the same group.

However, Group L has still ended up packed with European heavyweights England and Croatia, alongside resilient Ghana and improving Panama—setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle for qualification.

With England and Croatia carrying strong pedigree, and Ghana and Panama capable of surprising stronger opponents, few would be shocked if one of the European giants fails to advance.

England: Chasing a 60-Year World Cup Dream

It has now been exactly 60 years since England last won the World Cup. Their only global triumph came in 1966, when they lifted the trophy on home soil. Since then, England fans have lived through decades of hope, disappointment, and the famously ironic chant “It’s coming home,” which reflects both optimism and frustration.

Despite the long wait for silverware, England have remained a consistently strong force in international football. Under former manager Gareth Southgate, they reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and finished runners-up in both Euro 2021 and Euro 2024.

After losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain, Southgate stepped down, and German coach Thomas Tuchel took over with the mission of ending England’s six-decade-long trophy drought.

Under Tuchel, England qualified for the World Cup without defeat and did not concede a single goal during qualification. While performances have sometimes lacked consistency, results have been strong, and expectations remain extremely high.

England Squad

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 (Bayern Munich), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Jordan (Barcelona), Noni Madueke (Arsenal)
Coach: Thomas Tuchel

Croatia: Tournament Specialists with Big-Match DNA

Croatia have developed a strong reputation for excelling on the World Cup stage. After gaining independence from Yugoslavia, they made their World Cup debut in 1998 and immediately finished third.

Two decades later, they reached the 2018 World Cup final in Russia, losing to France but earning global admiration. In the 2022 World Cup, Croatia reached the semi-finals after eliminating Brazil, further reinforcing their status as tournament specialists.

At the heart of the team remains legendary midfielder Luka Modrić, who continues to play at the highest level even at 40 years of age. The former Real Madrid star has won six UEFA Champions League titles and was crowned Ballon d’Or winner after leading Croatia to the 2018 final.

Croatia still feature several experienced European-based players, alongside emerging talents and MLS-based forwards.

Croatia Squad

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livaković (Dinamo Zagreb), Dominik Kotarski (Copenhagen), Ivica Pandur (Hull)
Defenders: Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Ćaleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Šutalo (Ajax), Josip Stanišić (Bayern Munich), Martin Pongračić (Fiorentina), Martin Erlić (Midtjylland), Luka Vušković (Hamburg)
Midfielders: Luka Modrić (AC Milan), Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta), Nikola Vlašić (Torino), Luka Sučić (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakić (Augsburg), Petar Sučić (Inter Milan), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka)
Forwards: Ivan Perišić (PSV Eindhoven), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pašalić (Orlando City), Petar Musa (Dallas), Igor Matanović (Freiburg)
Coach: Zlatko Dalić

Ghana: Talent, Power and a Point to Prove

Ghana enter the tournament with renewed ambition, led by exciting forward Antoine Semenyo, who has impressed in the English Premier League. His rise from Bournemouth to becoming one of Ghana’s key attacking threats has attracted attention from top clubs.

Ghana’s best World Cup performance came in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa. That tournament is still remembered for one of the most controversial moments in World Cup history, when Luis Suárez handled the ball on the goal line in the final seconds of extra time to deny Ghana a historic semi-final place. Ghana missed the resulting penalty and eventually lost in a shootout.

Since then, Ghana have struggled to replicate that success and have failed to progress deep into tournaments consistently. Coaching changes and inconsistent results have affected stability, with Carlos Queiroz now leading the team in place of Otto Addo.

Ghana Squad

Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic)
Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (İstanbul Başakşehir), Jonas Adjetey (Wolfsburg), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Nice), Ilias Owusu (Auxerre), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos)
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (St. Étienne), Caleb Yirenkyi (Nordsjælland), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester)
Forwards: Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry), Prince Kwabena Adu (Viktoria Plzeň), Inaki Williams (Athletic Club), Jordan Ayew (Leicester)
Coach: Carlos Queiroz

Panama: Underdogs with Growing Confidence

Panama are making only their second World Cup appearance after debuting in 2018. They qualified as group winners in the CONCACAF qualifiers and have shown steady improvement in recent years, including reaching the 2023 Gold Cup final and the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League final.

Under former Leeds United coach Thomas Christiansen, Panama have developed into a well-organized and disciplined side. Since taking charge in 2020, he has guided them to consistent performances in international football.

Although England and Croatia are expected to progress, Panama will likely compete with Ghana for third place in the group, keeping qualification hopes alive.

Panama Squad

Goalkeepers: Luis Mejía (National), Orlando Mosquera (Al-Fayha), Óscar Samudio (Marathón)
Defenders: Eric Davis (Plaza Amador), Fidel Escobar (Saprissa), Michael Amir Murillo (Beşiktaş), Roderick Miller (Turan Tovuz), Andrés Andrade (LASK), César Blackman (Slovan Bratislava), José Córdoba (Norwich), Jovani Ramos (Puerto Cabello), Jorge Gutiérrez (Deportivo La Coruña), Eduardo Farina (Pari NN)
Midfielders: Aníbal Godoy (San Diego), Alberto Quintero (Plaza Amador), Yoel Bárcenas (Mazatlán), Adalberto Carrasquilla (UNAM), José Luis Rodríguez (Juárez), Cristian Martínez (Ironi Kiryat Shmona), César Yanis (Cobresal), Carlos Harvey (Minnesota United), Édgar Londoño (Universidad Católica)
Forwards: José Fajardo (Universidad Católica), Ismael Díaz (León), Cecilio Waterman (Universidad de Concepción), Tomás Rodríguez (Saprissa)
Coach: Thomas Christiansen