Sixty years. That’s how long it’s been since England won a World Cup, and the people who actually remember it are mostly retired or gone. But here’s the thing about 2026: this might be their best shot in a while, even if the group stage won’t be a walkover.
England landed in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama. On paper, it looks manageable. Thomas Tuchel’s squad cruised through qualifying without conceding a single goal. But group play has a way of finding cracks. And with Spain potentially waiting in the round of 16 for the runner-up, winning the group matters.
The opener against Croatia brings back memories of that 2018 semifinal, the one England lost. Croatia’s not the same team now. Luka Modric is 40. Ivan Perisic, Mateo Kovacic and Andrej Kramaric are all on the back end of their careers. But they’ve still got Josko Gvardiol locking things down at the back and a teenager named Luka Vuskovic who looks like the real deal. Croatia went unbeaten through qualifying but there’s a sense this golden generation might have one last run in them before the curtain falls.
Then there’s Ghana. The ghost of 2010 still hangs over this program — that Suarez handball, the missed penalty, the heartbreak. They haven’t come close to that moment since. Failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Lost five of six friendlies after qualifying. The roster has talent — Antoine Semenyo just won an FA Cup with Manchester City, Inaki Williams is dangerous, and Thomas Partey still runs the midfield — but the defense looks shaky and there’s not much depth. Their whole tournament could hinge on the opening game against Panama.
Panama meanwhile is here for the second time after getting hammered 6-1 by England in 2018. They’ve improved since then. Made the Gold Cup final in 2023, finished second in the Concacaf Nations League, and went unbeaten through qualifying. Coach Thomas Christiansen has built a team that’s hard to break down. They’re ranked 33rd in the world, which is higher than you’d think. Beating Ghana and sneaking through as a third-place qualifier is a real possibility.
For England, it all starts with Harry Kane. He scored 61 goals for Bayern Munich this season, won a domestic double, and is squarely in the Ballon d’Or conversation. Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka — the talent is ridiculous. But there’s this nagging doubt about whether they’re a half-step behind Spain and France. Whether they’ll wilt in the heat. Whether a German coach can finally end six decades of English pain.
The prediction here: England tops the group, Croatia finishes second, and Ghana and Panama fight it out for the scraps. But in a World Cup where the group winner avoids Spain in the next round, every point matters. And England’s opening game against Croatia might decide more than just first place.
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