What do we know about Croatia, Panama and Ghana?

The Three Lions will be competing against Croatia first, then Panama and finally Ghana as they have all been drawn into Group L.

Friday 5 December 2025 23:22, UK

Why you can trust Paste BN

England have discovered who they will be playing at the 2026 World Cup following Friday's draw in Washington DC.

The Three Lions will be competing against Croatia first, then Panama and finally Ghana as they have all been drawn into Group L.

England's first game will be against Croatia on 17 June in Dallas or Toronto, followed by Panama on 23 June and Ghana on 27 June.

It will be England's second meeting with Croatia at the FIFA World Cup, previously losing 2-1 in extra time to them at the 2018 edition.

Croatia went on to play France in the final at Russia 2018, but lost 4-2.

The draw ceremony on Friday was attended by US President Donald Trump, who joined FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the John F Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

The Republican leader, who has long campaigned for a Nobel Peace Prize for his involvement in resolving global conflicts, was awarded FIFA's new peace prize at the draw.

The 2026 World Cup is spread across three countries, including the US, Canada and Mexico, and will kick off in Mexico City and end in New Jersey.

Next summer's tournament lasts just over a month.

Croatia

Croatia beat England to reach the final in 2018 before reaching the semis at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was one of the stars of the last World Cup, with the shoot-out star saving three penalties against Japan in the last 16.

Against Brazil, he saved the first penalty from Rodrygo, and Croatia won a place in the semi-final when Marquinhos missed their fourth.

The team is full of experienced players - 11 of the 13 goals in Croatia's first three qualifiers of World Cup 2026 have been from players over 30.

Luka Modric, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2018, sits among a squad of veterans set to make life difficult for England in the group stage.

Panama

England faced Panama at the 2018 finals, beating them 6-1 in the group phase.

This will be Panama's second-ever World Cup after 2018, when they went out in the group stage after losing all three matches in Russia.

The squad's coach is Thomas Christiansen, who briefly managed Leeds United, with José Fajardo and Cecilio Waterman representing the main attacking threats.

Aside from a penalty shoot-out loss against Honduras at the Gold Cup, Panama were unbeaten in their last 12 competitive matches this year.

Ghana