World Cup guide: everything you need to know about Group L | OneFootball

The World Cup is officially underway but with so many groups this year, Playmaker only now finishes off introducing 48 participating teams across 12 articles — one for each group in the competition. So for one last time, find out more about each nation, including their likely starting XI and some of the key names to watch.

To round off this excellent guide marathon, it is time to put Group L in the spotlight. There is a title contender, one of the standout sides from recent editions, and plenty of talent with a veteran Portuguese coach at the helm, in one of the most intriguing groups of the opening stage of the 2026 World Cup.

England

Number of appearances: 17

Best performance: winners (1966) 

It has now been 60 years of hurt for the Three Lions who have collected disappointment after disappointment and heartbreak after heartbreak in recent decades. With every tournament, English hopes are renewed and the coaching change at the start of this cycle was a sign: going far is not enough. 

Southgate restored competitiveness to the national team, but the side seemed to have reached its ceiling under him. The appointment of Thomas Tuchel, European champion with Chelsea and only the third foreign coach ever entrusted with England, was the chosen answer.

Known for his tactical approach and collective vision of the game, Tuchel has not been afraid to hurt individual egos. Alexander-Arnold, Maguire, Foden and Palmer were left out of the squad this time round.

The coach - Thomas Tuchel

With several top clubs on his CV, the German could hardly ask for a more challenging project on his debut in international football. While qualification was a major success, recent friendlies have cooled some of the excitement among England fans. Tuchel has surprised with his squad selection and the absence of so much talent increases the pressure on him. 

The star - Harry Kane

In the most prolific season of his career, the captain and all-time top scorer for England arrives at this World Cup in perfect shape. His spell in Germany has finally allowed the striker to fill his trophy cabinet. Lifting the cup on 19 July would be the peak of his wonderful story, as well as making him a serious Ballon d'Or contender.

Keep an eye on - Elliot Anderson

Expected to start in this tournament, the Nottingham Forest man has attracted interest from several major clubs although Manchester City look like the only team able to afford to sign the midfielder. A Premier League leader in ball recoveries in 2025/26, his game is about much more than that, with technical growth and a greater threat in advanced areas. His partnership with Declan Rice gives England plenty of power in midfield. 

Other key players: Reece James (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) and Marcus Rashford (FC Barcelona)

Croatia

Number of appearances: 7

Best performance: runners-up (2018)

With so much recent success in this competition, it is easy to forget that Croatia has a population of fewer than four million people. In a clear generational transition, the challenge for the younger players is to honour the fantastic legacy of the previous generation. 

There is young talent emerging, but the team does not seem to be functioning at a semi-final level, a stage Croatia reached in 2018 and 2022. At 40 and likely nearing the end of his international career, Luka Modric remains the undisputed leader of a team long shaped by Zlatko Dalic.

Low expectations could even lead to another Croatian surprise.

The coach - Zlatko Dalic

Among the coaches present at this World Cup, only Didier Deschamps has been in his post longer. Respected by players and the public, the national team's success clearly has his touch with Dalic being a figure who shuns glamour and arrogance. The future is wide open and depends only on him, in a status that is entirely deserved.     

The star - Luka Modrić

Leaving Real Madrid might have suggested a drop-off yet the 40-year-old responded with a very solid season in Milan. His intelligence has allowed him to maintain a very high level as his career advances, and his World Cup farewell has every chance of being a fitting one. A true icon. 

Keep an eye on - Luka Vuskovic

He is only 19 and was one of the standouts of the latest Bundesliga season, on loan from Tottenham to Hamburger SV. Blessed with impressive physical attributes for his position, the central defender's strong performances have not only helped him gain prominence in London, they may even have alerted other major European clubs. A starting place at the World Cup looks certain.

Other key players: Josip Stanisic (Bayern), Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Petar Sucic (Inter) and Ivan Perisic (PSV)

Panama

Number of appearances: 2

Best performance: group stage (2018)

After an eight-year absence, Panama is back at the World Cup. It is true that the expansion made qualification easier, but it is important to highlight the merit of the work that has been developed in recent years in the country, with coach Thomas Christiansen at the helm.

Proof of that were recent appearances in the 2023 Gold Cup final and in the 2024/25 CONCACAF Nations League. Los Canaleros are competing better and better against teams from their confederation, through a settled, well-drilled core with few changes. 

However, their status has not changed. The team enters its group as the least talented side overall but there are conditions for them to compete better than back in 2018, when they failed to earn a single point. Experience could become an issue further down the line, but those headaches are for future cycles. 

The coach - Thomas Christiansen

A former Spain international as a player, the coach was a bold and strong choice by the country's federation in 2020. Despite failing to qualify for the last World Cup, the structure kept faith in the coach, who repaid that trust and has led the national team to clear growth in recent years. It is time for the highest point of his career. 

The star - Michael Murillo

An attacking full-back, the 30-year-old has built a fine career in Europe after making his breakthrough in MLS with New York Red Bulls. He moved from Marseille to Besiktas in the last winter transfer window and quickly established himself as a starter at the Turkish club. He is closing in on 100 caps for his country. 

Keep an eye on - Adalberto Carrasquilla

Consistent and technically gifted, the 27-year-old midfielder is one of Panama's leading figures. Carrasquilla built his career in MLS and the Mexican league, with only a brief spell in Europe at Cartagena in Spain. Less well known to the wider European public, he is a player who stands out not least because of his thick hair. There are some doubts over his fitness though, which kept him out of the recent friendlies. 

Other key players: Jose Cordoba (Norwich), Cesar Blackman (Slovan Bratislava), Yoel Barcenas (Mazatlan), Puma Rodriguez (Juarez) and Ismael Diaz (Club Leon)

Ghana

Number of appearances: 5

Best performance: quarter-finals (2010)

One of the African national teams with the richest World Cup history this century, Ghana enters this tournament with a blend of experience and youth, led by Carlos Queiroz. The objective, without doubt, is to reach the knockout stage. 

The cycle has been marked by plenty of instability. Three coaches - Chris Hughton and Otto Addo before the Portuguese coach - a group-stage exit at AFCON 2023 and failure to qualify for the 2025 edition of the continent's biggest national-team competition.

Comfort in World Cup qualification ended up being the exception in Ghana's performances in recent years. There is talent, but we will see whether organisation and focus appear at the required level.

The coach - Carlos Queiroz

At 73, Ghana is another challenge in the Portuguese coach's fine career, one that will see him match Bora Milutinovic as one of only two coaches to appear at five World Cups, behind only Carlos Alberto Parreira's six. In the African national team, the coach will have more talent to work with than in some recent challenges, but the limited preparation time (he was only appointed in April) could be problematic. 

The star - Antoine Semenyo

A highly creditable rise in his career, from loan spells at lower-division clubs in England to a big-money move this season to Manchester City. With Kudus injured, the demands will only increase for the winger at this World Cup but Semenyo looks well placed to respond positively. Indeed, Ghana has missed star quality in recent major tournaments. 

Keep an eye on - Caleb Yirenkyi

The youngest member of the Black Stars squad, the 20-year-old midfielder is another excellent example of the close link between Danish football and some of Africa's most highly regarded academies. Competitive and highly capable in possession, a big move away from Nordsjaelland seems likely this summer.

Other key players: Inaki Williams (Athletic), Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta) and Jordan Ayew (Leicester City)