World Cup Group L predictions, tips & odds

The 12th and final group at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is Group L, a group featuring England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama.

As ever, there will be scrutiny on every English touch of the ball throughout the tournament, and Thomas Tuchel's side have a couple of hurdles to overcome right off the bat.

Below, Football Whispers breaks down Group L in full, including fixtures, latest odds and predictions.

World Cup 2026 Group L winner odds

• England – 1/12
• Croatia – 14/1
• Ghana – 8/1
• Panama- 66/1

England's position as favourites to win Group L has not changed following their 4-2 win against Croatia on June 17, while the bookmakers see Ghana as the most likely to upset that prediction following their 1-0 win against Panama on June 18.

World Cup 2026 Group L qualification odds

• England – 1/1000
• Croatia – 4/11
• Ghana – 1/5
• Panama – 11/2

No side at the World Cup has been priced shorter than 1/1000 to qualify for the knockout stages, so the prospect of England somehow missing out on the knockouts should realistically not even be considered. Croatia and Ghana are also backed to make it through the group stages, while Panama are firm outsiders at 11/2.

World Cup 2026 Group L fixtures: Match-by-match schedule

Gameweek 1

• England 4-2 Croatia

• Ghana 1-0 Panama

Gameweek 2

• England vs Ghana
  • England: 1/4
  • Draw: 9/2
  • Ghana: 14/1
    
• Panama vs Croatia
  • Panama: 11/2
  • Draw: 31/10
  • Croatia: 1/2

Gameweek 3

• Panama vs England
  • Panama: 8/1
  • Draw: 19/4
  • England: 27/100
    
• Croatia vs Ghana
  • Croatia: 13/20
  • Draw: 27/10
  • Ghana: 17/4

2026 World Cup Group L predictions and betting angles

England

In terms of squad depth, the only other nation that is arguably superior to England's is France, which automatically makes the Three Lions serious contenders for the World Cup this summer.

Tuchel's men flew through qualifying, winning all eight of their matches, scoring 22 goals and conceding none in the process, and the fact they looked so creative against Croatia will be seen as a positive by the head coach.

One major plus point for the 1966 champions is the number of players they have in great club form. Harry Kane scored 61 goals in all competitions for Bayern Munich in 25/26, while Declan Rice led Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years.

If those two play at their top level and the other players around them step up, then England can finally end 60 years of hurt, though the team must improve defensively to stand a chance of winning the competition.

Croatia

Croatia were considered the most likely team to finish second in Group L, but their loss against England has left them needing at least one win from their final two games.

While some of the biggest names from that 2018 squad, including Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic, are expected to feature this time around, this is largely a group of players either past their best or not at the level of the previous generation.

Anything other than a win in their second match of the group against Panama will put them at serious risk of elimination despite the fact eight third-placed teams will advance into the knockouts.

Croatia should make it through Group L, but it will be a close race in the battle to finish as runners-up.

Ghana

Ever since their run to the quarter-finals in 2010, Ghana have felt like staples at the World Cup, and they provided plenty of entertainment back in 2022 before crashing out in the group stages.

This time around, they are being led into the tournament by Carlos Queiroz, who was only appointed as the new manager in April. The former Real Madrid manager has become a bit of an international specialist over the past decade, although his record at World Cups is not particularly good (17 games, five wins, four draws, eight losses).

Ghana looked far from their best against Panama, but three points has left them in a position of strength, and they know that a point will almost certainly guarantee their progression into the round of 32.

Panama

Panama are competing in just their second-ever World Cup this summer, and just like in 2018, they have been placed in the same group as England.

In Russia, Panama succumbed to a 6-1 defeat to England, and the goal at the absolute minimum this time around will be to perform better than they did that day.

Thomas Christiansen Tarin's side went unbeaten in their qualifying group, and they have enjoyed some impressive wins over the past 18 months, including a 1-0 victory over the USA in March 2025.

However, a 1-0 loss against Ghana in their opening game has left them needing at least one positive result against England and Croatia, so fans may soon face the prospect of their team suffering elimination.

Final Group L prediction

1. England
2. Croatia
3. Ghana
4. Panama

Group L best bets

There is nothing of any value in the outright stakes for Group L. Instead, check out the odds for each individual game and go from there.

Before you place your bet, make sure to check out the best World Cup 2026 betting offers for this summer's tournament.