Group L

Moscow, July 11th, 2018. Croatia beat England 2-1 in extra time in the World Cup semi-final. Mario Mandzukic scored the winner. A generation of English fans who had genuinely believed — for the first time in decades without irony — went home devastated. Croatia went to the final. England went back to talking about 1966.

Eight years later, they are in the same group. Group L is the rematch.

England: Time to Actually Do It

England reached the final of Euro 2020 (played 2021). They reached the semi-finals in 2018. They reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024. The Gareth Southgate era is over but the players remain. Jude Bellingham is one of the best players in the world. Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford when fit — the attacking talent is undeniable. Harry Kane’s goalscoring record for England is extraordinary.

The question that hangs over every England tournament is whether the talent converts into tournament wins. The 2024 Euros said: not yet, but close. 2026 has to be the year, because this generation will not last forever.

Their opener against Croatia in Dallas on June 17th is the match that sets the tone. England should be favourites. They should win it. But Croatia have not cared about being underdogs since at least 1998.

Croatia: The Small Nation That Never Stops

Croatia have 3.9 million people. They have won a World Cup silver medal (2018) and bronze medal (2022) in this decade. Luka Modric is the engine of that era and he will be 40 in 2026 — present perhaps as a symbolic figure or genuinely influential, but the squad has built beyond him. Mateo Kovacic, Bruno Perisic, Josko Gvardiol — Croatia’s talent pipeline is remarkably deep for a country their size.

They will not be intimidated by England. They have beaten them in a semi-final and they know it. The June 17th match in Dallas will be edgy, tactical, and decided by a single moment.

Croatia vs Ghana on June 27th in Philadelphia could be the decisive group game, if the earlier results set it up that way.

Ghana: The Black Stars Return

Ghana were one of the continent’s most exciting teams in the 2000s — they reached the quarter-finals in 2010 before Luis Suarez’s handball denied them in one of the tournament’s most controversial moments. The current generation is rebuilding that identity. Thomas Partey in midfield has Premier League quality. The attack is younger and developing.

Their match against England on June 23rd in Boston is a fascinating test for both sides.

Panama: CONCACAF’s Persistent Qualifier

Panama qualified for 2018 as debutants and lost all three matches, but scored in a World Cup and celebrated as if they’d won the trophy. They are back, improved, and will compete fully in every match. Against England or Croatia they face quality that will be difficult. Against Ghana on June 17th in Toronto, they have a genuine shot.

Must-watch match: England vs Croatia, June 17th, Dallas. The 2018 semi-final rematch. Eight years of storyline compressed into 90 minutes.

Bold prediction: England top the group and exorcise at least one demon. Croatia advance as a canny second place after drawing with England. Ghana and Panama both lose to England and Croatia but make each other’s game — and that Ghana-Panama match — genuinely competitive.