Group L Decoded: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Group L has been drawn. England have seen it. Tuchel has seen it. And England fans, who have been burned enough times to refuse to believe in easy groups, have looked at Ghana and Panama and quietly, reluctantly, allowed themselves to think: this is actually fine.

It is actually fine. England should top this group. Croatia should finish second. Ghana could nick third. Panama are leaving at the group stage.

But between now and July, three matches, three predictions, three shirts — and a knockout path that opens up beautifully if England do what they are supposed to do.

Let's decode Group L.

England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama: Form Going In

England. The Tuchel era is two years old. Recent friendlies — a 1-1 against Uruguay, a 0-1 to Japan at Wembley — have raised eyebrows rather than confidence. Defensive uncertainty at right back. Bellingham recovering from a hamstring issue. Phil Foden questioned for his national team impact. And yet: England have the individual quality to win every game in this group. The collective will function when it has to. It always does.

Croatia. The Golden Generation is at the end of its arc. Modrić will be 41 at this tournament. They have reached back-to-back semi-finals in 2018 and 2022 on grit, organisation, and the genius of their midfield. The rebuild is happening in real time. Dalić is not panicking. He should not be. Croatia at any age of this cycle are a dangerous team.

Ghana. Otto Addo has a squad built around Premier League physicality. Mohammed Kudus is genuinely world-class on his day. Thomas Partey, Iñaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew — these are not names you shrug off. Ghana have pace, power, and no fear. They do not respect the occasion because they have been here before.

Panama. Reached the 2018 World Cup in their first ever appearance. Dignified, disciplined, and almost certainly not leaving the group stage at this tournament. Their ceiling in Group L is three competitive matches and a poin