World Cup 2026 Group L betting preview & team guide
Content Editor at Free Super Tips, Alex was born in the shadow of Old Trafford and is an avid Man Utd fan. After graduating from university he combined his love of football, writing and betting to join FST and now closely follows goings-on in all of the top European leagues.
Group L’s opening match between odds-on favourites England and second-favourites Croatia could set the tone of this group, with the winner of that tie likely to go on to top the standings, while Ghana will be hoping to boost their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages against rank outsiders Panama.
World Cup 2026 Group K winner betting odds
- England – 2/7
- Croatia – 7/2
- Ghana – 10/1
- Panama – 50/1
* All odds correct as of 4th June, 2026 on bet365.com
Group L guide
England
Overview
After leading England to two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final, Gareth Southgate finally stepped down from the Three Lions, and Thomas Tuchel heads into this summer’s World Cup with the weight of the nation resting on his shoulders. The German has made waves with some controversial omissions from the squad, but can look back on a perfect qualifying campaign which saw them score 22 goals and concede none.
Strengths
Spearheaded by arguably the best striker on the planet, Harry Kane, England have enormous depth in a star-studded attack, while Tuchel’s organisation of the back line has left them looking impenetrable at times.
Weaknesses
Despite the quality on show, balancing England’s attacking setup has always proven difficult. They have been frustrated by more conservative sides on occasion, illustrated by two narrow wins over minnows Andorra in qualifying.
Prospects
England fans will demand nothing less than a run to the semi-finals after narrowly missing out on silverware two years ago. They have the quality to go all the way, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them fall at the hands of Spain or France.
Team guide
Best World Cup finish: Champions (1966)
Key player: Harry Kane
Rising star: Elliot Anderson
England predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane
Best Bet – England to beat Croatia at 8/11
Croatia broke English hearts in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, but England have beaten them in two of three meetings since then and they should start the tournament in winning fashion. The Three Lions have won every competitive game under Tuchel and can keep that run going a while longer.
Croatia
Overview
Croatia made it to the World Cup semi-finals four years ago, following their stunning final appearance in 2018. Zlatko Dalic will be hoping for more of the same in his fifth major tournament with the Kockasti, but a group-stage exit in Euro 2024 may weigh on his mind.
Strengths
Zlatko Dalic has a huge amount of experience at his disposal in Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Mario Pasalic, Ivan Perisic, and Andrej Kramaric. These players, and Dalic himself, have been instrumental in getting Croatia to one semi-final and one final in the World Cup.
Weaknesses
That level of experience can only come with age, and there is no getting away from the fact that this is an old Croatia squad, with six of their midfield and attack over the age of 30, including 40-year-old Modric and 37-year-old Perisic.
Prospects
With this level of major tournament experience, Croatia should have no issues getting out of Group L, and they have the unity and discipline to challenge the majority of the teams in this competition. However, with age against them, the pace is likely to catch up with them at some point.
Team guide
Best World Cup finish: Runners-up (2018)
Key player: Luka Modric
Rising star: Petar Sucic
Croatia predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Livakovic; Stanisic, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Marco Pasalic, Modric, Mario Pasalic, Perisic; Sucic, Kramaric; Budimir
Best Bet – Croatia to reach the round of 16 at 6/4
A group win is not beyond Croatia, but second place is definitely there for the taking and that would set up a last-32 tie with the runner-up of Group K. That is likely to be Colombia, who Croatia beat 2-1 in March. The alternative is Portugal, who have only won one of their last three meetings with the Kockasti and would be heading into the knockout stages disappointed after failing to top their group.
Ghana
Overview
Mohammed Kudus’ injury enforced absence will be a big blow to Ghana, who head into this tournament having lost five successive games. Carlos Queroz will be hoping to right the ship after his April appointment, but it may be an uphill battle for the Black Stars.
Strengths
Even without the injured Mohammed Kudus, Ghana have pace and power in abudance going forward. Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams will be the main threat, but Lyon attacker Ernest Nuamah could be a breakout star.
Weaknesses
Defensive resilience could be Ghana’s downfall. They conceded six goals in an easy qualifying group and lack star quality at the back, which will be a major issue against more attack-minded sides.
Prospects
The expanded format should give Ghana plenty of hope of making it out of Group L, but plenty of teams will be vying to be a best third-place finisher and they have not made it to the knockout stages in any of their last three major tournaments.
Team guide
Best World Cup finish: Quarter-finals (2010)
Key player: Antoine Semenyo
Rising star: Ernest Nuamah
Ghana predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Ati-Zigi; Seidu, Adjetey, Djiku, Rahman Baba; Partey, Sibo; Williams, Nuamah, Semenyo; Ayew
Best Bet – Ghana not to qualify from Group L
An admittedly under-strength Ghana side were outplayed in Carlos Queiroz’s first game in charge earlier this month and the Portuguese manager has simply not had the time to get to grips with the squad. They have the talent, but they are on a five-game losing streak and have won only two of their last 13 major tournament fixtures.
Panama
Overview
Panama are big outsiders in Group L as they head to their second-ever World Cup. They lost all three games in their debut in 2018, and many of the same faces will return to the biggest stage in world football this summer, including captain Anibal Godoy.
Strengths
Thomas Christiansen has named an incredibly experienced squad, with unity and organisation in abundance from a group of players that have been playing together for years. They have pushed Mexico close twice in the past year or so and beat the USA last March.
Weaknesses
The overall quality in the Panama ranks is lacking, and the pace of the tournament is likely to get to a squad containing 13 players aged 30 or older.
Prospects
Panama may have proven difficult to beat, but they lack the cutting edge at the other end of the pitch and I can’t see them getting their first World Cup win, although a point would be reason to celebrate for Panama fans.
Team guide
Best World Cup finish: Group stage (2018)
Key player: Anibal Godoy
Rising star: Jose Cordoba
Panama predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Mejia; Cordoba, Escobar, Andrade; Blackman, Carrasquilla, Godoy, Davis; Londono, Diaz; Fajardo
Best Bet – Panama to finish bottom of Group L at 1/2
The quality in the Panama squad is nowhere near the level of the other three teams, and they have never won a World Cup fixture. They have impressed in their few matches against good-quality opposition in recent years, but it is hard to see them troubling the opposition defence and I expect the best they can hope for is a draw against Ghana.
Build better bets with our free betting tips, predictions and accumulators, every day.
More betting news:
FST’s World Cup 2026 betting hub and schedule
View All Today’s Football Tips
Betting Academy: See our complete guide to football betting
To take full advantage of our Free Football Tips we recommend you take a look at our Free Bets page, where you can compare all the best free bets and special offers from the country’s top bookmakers.