World Cup Picks: Group L Winner Odds, Preview & Prediction

The final group to get underway at the 2026 World Cup will be Group L. England’s long wait for a major trophy could come to an end this summer, but the Three Lions will first need to navigate a tricky-looking opening round. Find our World Cup Group L picks here.

World Cup: Group L Winner Odds

Group L World Cup Schedule

Matchday 1

• England vs. Croatia (June 17)
• Ghana vs. Panama (June 17)

Matchday 2

• England vs. Ghana (June 23)
• Panama vs. Croatia (June 23)

Matchday 3

• Panama vs. England (June 27)
• Croatia vs. Ghana (June 27)

World Cup Group L Teams

England

Another chance to rewrite history arrives for England this summer, with Thomas Tuchel tasked with delivering a first major honor for the Three Lions since 1966. At major tournaments, England have been consistent in recent memory, reaching the last two EUROs finals, and making the semi-finals in the 2018 World Cup. England qualified for this summer’s event in dominant fashion, winning all eight matches without conceding.

High-quality attackers such as Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Jude Bellingham will be key to the team’s chances, while Declan Rice will be crucial in protecting the back four. A fast start will be required by the Three Lions to keep morale high.

Croatia

Croatia has been a World Cup specialist in recent memory, reaching the semi-finals in each of the last two editions. Zlatko Dalić masterminded a straightforward qualification process, with the nation winning seven of their eight matches, and scoring 26 goals.

Results since have been mixed, with a win against Colombia followed by a defeat against Brazil. An aging squad will be in action this summer, with 40-year-old Luka Modric remaining as important for Croatia as he was ten years ago. They are a great possession-based team, but they could struggle when the ball is turned over.

Ghana

Carlos Queiroz will be tasked with reversing Ghana’s fortunes at the World Cup this summer, as the nation aim to end their run of group stage exits. The African nation qualified for the tournament impressively after winning eight of their ten fixtures.

However, a poor run of form must be overturned after failing to qualify for AFCON and losing each of their previous five. Conditions could suit their counter-attacking style though, with attackers such as Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams likely to cause issues for every opposing team in Group L.

Panama

Panama will be the last team involved in Group L. The CONCACAF nation will be playing in their second World Cup this year, and positives can be taken from their run to the CONCACAF Gold Cup final in 2023. Thomas Christiansen’s side went unbeaten in qualifying, winning seven of their ten fixtures.

However, their form this calendar year has been mixed, winning just once in their last four, and conceding at least one goal in six of their previous seven. Their weak defensive record will hold them back against talented opposition in Group L.

World Cup Group L Winner Picks

This could be a trickier group than many think for England, but we still expect the Three Lions to edge through as group winners. Ghana could join them in the next round, as we could see their counter-attacking style suiting fixtures against England, Croatia, and Panama.