Thomas Tuchel Gets Croatia, Ghana and Panama in England Games

England games now start with Croatia, Ghana and Panama after the Group L draw for the World Cup 2026. England are favorites to win the group, and the market is already pricing a clean sweep by two or more goals in all three matches at 7/1.

Tuchel and England’s Group L draw

Thomas Tuchel’s side avoided a soft route. Croatia are viewed as England’s toughest opponent on paper, while Ghana and Panama complete a group that gives England a clear early path but no margin for error if they want first place locked up quickly.

England topped their group at each of the last two World Cups, but they have not won all of their group games since 1982. That year ended with elimination in the second group stage, so the target in Group L is more demanding than simply advancing.

Kane, Saka and England’s attack

Harry Kane arrives after a career-best 61 goals in all competitions for Bayern Munich this season, and he averaged well over one goal per game. Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Morgan Rogers give England more routes to score than they had in a typical group draw.

England qualified without conceding a single goal, and they also went on a run of six straight matches, including friendlies, of winning by a two-goal margin or greater between September and November last year. That stretch is the main reason the bet on England to win all three games by at least two goals has real support behind it.

Panama could bring rotation

If England beat Croatia and Ghana early, Tuchel could rotate the team for the Panama match. That would make the final group game less about survival and more about whether England can keep the same scoring edge with a changed lineup.

For England, the draw leaves the same basic task that has followed them into recent tournaments: handle the toughest opponent first, avoid any slip against the lower-ranked sides, and turn a favorable group into the kind of start that lets the coach protect players before the knockout rounds.