James McClair, Football reporter
The 2026 World Cup is just two weeks away, with thousands of England supporters to make the journey across the pond in the hope of seeing their country lift the trophy for the first time in 60 long years.
Gareth Southgate is no longer in charge and it’s Thomas Tuchel who has been entrusted to take the final step and turn the Three Lions from nearly-men to world champions.
If the German is to secure a generational feat on the East Coast, he’ll have to start by finding a way past Croatia, Ghana and Panama. Here’s all you need to know about England’s Group L opponents.
Croatia – Wednesday 17th June, 21:00 (GMT), AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Route to World Cup: UEFA Group L Winners
World ranking: 11th
Best World Cup performance: Finalists (2018)
Player to watch: Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg, loaned from Tottenham Hotspur)
England kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign against familiar opposition. Croatia have a history of inflicting summer heartbreak on the Three Lions, having beaten them 2-1 in the semi-finals in 2018 to reach a first ever World Cup final.
Having emerged as dark horses in Russia, Croatia cemented their place amongst Europe’s elite when they reached the last four in Qatar, though this time they bowed out to Argentina. For a country with a population just shy of four million people, twice exiting the game’s greatest competition at the hands of the eventual winners is still some achievement.
Head coach Zlatko Dalic has masterminded both of the medal-winning runs and will be hoping to go one further in North America. The former midfielder has bled in a crop of young talent, including the likes of Inter Milan’s Petar Sucic and Como’s Martin Baturina, alongside an experienced core captained by former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric.
There are doubts over the condition of Dalic’s two most trusted lieutenants. Modric has recently undergone surgery for a fractured cheekbone whilst Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol has not featured since suffering a broken shin in January, but both were named in the travelling party.
There are a number of threats within the Croatian ranks, many of whom have featured for some of Europe’s elite clubs, and they’ll be no walkover for Tuchel’s team. They’ve identified suitable replacements for the previously crucial Ivan Rakitic, Marcelo Brozovic and Domagoj Vida and boasted an unbeaten record in qualifying.
My prediction: England 1-0 Croatia
Ghana – Tuesday 23rd June, 21:00 (GMT), Gillette Stadium (Boston)
Route to World Cup: CAF Group I Winners
World ranking: 74th
Best World Cup performance: Quarter finalists, 2010
Player to watch: Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City)
Stamping their ticket for the tournament’s 23rd edition is a mighty achievement for Ghana yet they will begin the tournament without the manager who secured their place in the competition.
Despite boasting some of Africa’s best Premier League talents in the way of Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo, the Black Stars inexcusably failed to reach last year’s AFCON after they were unable to win any of their six qualifying matches.
The country’s federation took the decision to part ways with Otto Addo, 72 days before the tournament’s opener, after four straight friendly defeats and installed former Real Madrid manager Carlos Queiroz in his place.
Queiroz has plenty of attacking options to elect from. Semenyo and Kudus have impressed this season whilst experienced forward Inaki Williams is a capable forward. In wide areas, the likes of Kamaldeen Sulemana and Abdul Fatawu are equally tricky operators.
The Black Stars may come unstuck defensively, having been dealt a double blow after Mohammed Salisu and Tariq Lamptey both injured their anterior cruciate ligaments.
Nevertheless, Queiroz will be optimistic his side can progress from the groups, at the very least in third place, but conquering England when they’re on form might be a little too much of an ask.
My prediction: England 2-0 Ghana
Panama – Saturday 27th June, 22:00 (GMT), MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)
Route to World Cup: CONCACAF Group A Winners
World ranking: 33rd
Best World Cup performance: Group stage, 2018
Player to watch: Adalberto Carrasquilla (UNAM)
Panama won’t have been pleased to learn they must face England a second time at the World Cup, as Los Canaleros were on the receiving end of a Harry Kane hat-trick in a 6-1 dismantling in their first ever finals tournament eight years ago.
After all, Los Canaleros discovered the reality of World Cup football the hard way eight years ago, as Harry Kane netted a hattrick in a 6-1 drubbing.
Panama will be hoping to secure their first World Cup points this time around under former Leeds United boss Thomas Christiansen. Given the number of third place spots in the last 32, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that they could progress.
Panama proved a competitive force on the way to booking their place in the tournament. They conceded just five goals in their 10 qualifying matches, not tasting defeat once.
Defenders Jose Córdoba and Amir Murillo, both of whom have made brave moves to European clubs Norwich City and Besiktas respectively, could be pivotal to any prospect of being the surprise package of the World Cup.
They’ll rely on the experienced duo of Jose Fajardo and Cecilio Waterman if the country are to better the one goal they mustered up in their debut on the world stage.
Mexican side FC Juarez’s inventive winger Puma has proved another key source of firepower.
Lynchpin Adalberto Carrasquilla personifies this relative golden age in Panamanian football, having picked up the Golden Ball award at the 2023 Gold Cup as his side reached the final.
With the newly introduced Round of 32 increasing the workload in already scorching conditions, this clash may present the perfect opportunity for Tuchel to rotate but England should still have more than enough to down Los Canaleros.
My prediction: England 3-0 Panama
Which opponent are you most wary of? Let us know in the comments and be sure to visit our website and OneFootball page again for more buildup and live coverage of the World Cup finals starting on 11th of June.