Group L Football Cup Betting Guide: England’s Group of Old Rivals
Group L at the 2026 Football Cup hands England a draw soaked in history. The opener is a rematch of the 2018 semi-final against Croatia, the side that ended England’s run in extra time that year. There is a reunion with Ghana, a team England have met only once before, and a meeting with Panama, the opponents England beat heavily at the 2018 finals. It is, in every sense, a group of old rivals.
England are the clear favourites under Thomas Tuchel, with a deep, Premier League-based squad, but the familiarity running through this pool gives it real edge. There is good news for UK followers too: all three England games kick off in evening prime time at home, a welcome change from the early-hours starts dotted elsewhere in the draw. We will give each side a fair hearing, lay out the full schedule, and explain the main betting markets so you can form your own view.
For the prices as you read, the 2026 Football Cup Odds page has them, with tournament-wide markets on the Outright Betting page.
Group L at the 2026 Football Cup: England’s fixtures and rivals
Two quick tables to set the scene. The teams table shows how each side reached the finals and the pedigree behind them; the fixtures table lists all six group games with dates and venues.
| Team | Confederation | Qualified via | Pedigree |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | UEFA | Qualifying | Champions (1966), 2018 semi-finalists |
| Croatia | UEFA | Qualifying | Runners-up (2018) |
| Ghana | CAF | Group winner | Quarterfinals (2010) |
| Panama | CONCACAF | Qualifying | Group stage (debut 2018) |
| Date | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 17 | England vs Croatia | AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas) |
| Jun 18 | Ghana vs Panama | BMO Field, Toronto |
| Jun 23 | England vs Ghana | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston) |
| Jun 24 | Panama vs Croatia | BMO Field, Toronto |
| Jun 27 | Panama vs England | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| Jun 27 | Croatia vs Ghana | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
England’s three group games are all staged in the United States, in Dallas, Boston (Foxborough) and New Jersey, and each falls in UK evening prime time, with kick-offs at roughly 9pm, 9pm and 10pm BST. That is a real plus for UK viewers and followers compared with the early-hours starts attached to many fixtures elsewhere in the tournament. The schedule also front-loads the drama, putting England against Croatia on the opening day.
2026 Football Cup Odds
England: favourites in a group of old rivals
England begin Group L as the clear favourites. Under Thomas Tuchel, and sitting near the top of the rankings, they bring a deep squad drawn largely from the Premier League, with quality in every area of the pitch. On paper, top spot is theirs to claim, and the expectation that follows the national side into every tournament is firmly in place.
The challenge is living up to that billing against opponents who know them well. The Croatia opener is loaded with history, the Ghana fixture is a rare meeting, and Panama will be determined to avoid a repeat of their heavy defeat at the 2018 finals. England’s task is to navigate the familiarity and the weight of expectation, and a strong start on opening night would settle plenty of nerves.
As a betting concept, England are likely the shortest price to win the group, a reflection of expectation rather than a settled result. Their read is one to revisit once the squad and line-up are confirmed, with the usual fitness and selection caveats. The numbers from the Croatia opener will be the first real measure of where they stand.
England’s squad picture
The depth of the England squad is central to their favourites tag. A pool built around Premier League regulars gives Tuchel strength across defence, midfield and attack, and the kind of rotation options that matter across a demanding group and beyond. Squad quality is one of the side’s clearest advantages in this group.
The exact make-up of the matchday line-ups will only become clear once selections are confirmed, and fitness will shape the picture as the tournament approaches. As with every side in this guide, individual names and roles should be treated with the appropriate fitness and selection caveats, and any preview of the starting eleven is best held until the squad is finalised.
Croatia: the 2018 semi-final rivals
Croatia are the old foe and the clear main challenger. They ended England’s run at the 2018 finals, winning the semi-final in extra time, and that history alone gives the opener its edge. England’s only meeting with them since was a win at the opening game of Euro 2020, so the head-to-head record carries memories on both sides.
Beyond the storyline, Croatia remain genuinely dangerous. Runners-up in 2018 and a side with a long record of punching at the top level, they have the experience and the midfield control to trouble anyone, and they will not fear England. The opening fixture between the two looks like the game most likely to settle top spot, which makes it the key match up of the group.
In the betting markets, Croatia are the clear main challenger to England in the group winner market and a strong contender for qualification. Their experience is most relevant to the tighter, more tactical games, and they are the side best equipped to deny England first place.
Ghana: the dangerous outsiders
Ghana are the dangerous outsiders in Group L. England have met them only once before, a 1-1 friendly back in 2011, so this is largely unfamiliar territory between the two. Ghana reached the quarterfinals in 2010, a high point for African football, and they carry attacking pace that can hurt sides who give them space.
That pace is their main weapon. A team that can break quickly and stretch defences is exactly the kind of opponent that can spring a surprise in a tournament group, and Ghana will back themselves to cause problems on the counter. Their realistic route to making a mark runs through the meetings with Panama and Croatia, with a positive result there putting them in the qualification conversation.
For the betting markets, Ghana sit as outsiders for the group winner market but live spoilers across the match markets. Their attacking threat is worth keeping in mind, particularly in the more open games, where a single quick break can change the outcome.
Panama: the physical underdogs
Panama complete the group as the physical underdogs. Streetwise and combative, they are the kind of side that makes matches uncomfortable for more fancied opponents. The memory of their heavy defeat to England in 2018, a 6-1 result that stands as England’s biggest-ever win at the finals, will be motivation to show how far they have come since.
Their approach leans on physicality and organisation rather than flair, and a disciplined Panama can frustrate sides who expect an easy afternoon. They will see the fixtures against Ghana and Croatia as their best chances to take points, and their combative style means no opponent in this group can take them lightly. A tidy goal difference would keep them in the third-place picture.
In the betting markets, Panama are among the longer names for the group winner and qualification markets. Their physical, awkward style is most relevant to the match markets, where their capacity to disrupt is worth bearing in mind even against the favourites.
Group L betting markets explained
Here are the main markets you will see for Group L, set out as concepts only, no prices in this bit. For live odds, use the fixture links above or the tournament page. Understanding what each market is asking makes the qualitative reads in the tables below easier to weigh.
Group L Winner
The group winner market is a single bet on which side finishes first. England are the favourites, with Croatia the main challenger thanks to their experience and pedigree. Ghana and Panama would need results against the leading pair to enter the conversation, which is why they sit further back as concepts here.
To Qualify from Group
This market rewards reaching the next round rather than topping the group. The top two qualify automatically, and the expanded tournament also sends the eight best third-placed teams into the Round of 32. That safety net matters here, because the race for the places behind England may come down to results against direct rivals and goal difference.
To finish bottom
The opposite market asks which team props up Group L. Goal difference counts as much as results, so a side that concedes heavily can drift toward the bottom even while competing. The rankings point one way, but a single surprise result can change the picture.
Group Forecast
A group forecast is a single bet on the full finishing order, first to last. It is demanding because every position must be called correctly, so it is best treated as a view on the shape of the group rather than a likely outcome. With England versus Croatia opening proceedings, letting that result inform the picture tends to beat committing beforehand.
Match betting
Match betting covers the individual game markets. Two of the most common are below in qualitative terms, with short notes on two more. The tables describe the lean of each fixture, with no figures attached.
Full-time result
The full-time result market (home, draw or away) is the standard bet on any single match. The table gives a qualitative read of each Group L fixture, reflecting expectation only. Each line is worth a fresh look once line-ups are confirmed.
| Fixture | Qualitative read |
|---|---|
| England vs Croatia | The marquee opener and 2018 rematch; England are favoured, but Croatia are dangerous. |
| Ghana vs Panama | A competitive meeting of two physical sides that could shape third place. |
| England vs Ghana | England are favoured, with Ghana’s attacking pace a genuine threat on the break. |
| Panama vs Croatia | Croatia are favoured on quality; Panama will look to be awkward and combative. |
| Panama vs England | England are favoured in the closing game, with Panama the streetwise spoiler. |
| Croatia vs Ghana | Finely poised, and potentially significant for the qualification places. |
Group L Betting Odds
Total Goals
The total goals market (usually over or under a line) is about how many goals a match produces, whoever wins. The table gives a qualitative goals lean for each fixture, again without numbers.
| Fixture | Goals lean |
|---|---|
| England vs Croatia | Two strong sides who may be cautious on opening night, leaning tighter. |
| Ghana vs Panama | A physical contest that could stay tight between two combative teams. |
| England vs Ghana | Ghana’s pace and England’s quality could combine to open the game up. |
| Panama vs Croatia | Panama’s resistance points toward a contained, lower-scoring game. |
| Panama vs England | England’s quality could add up, with the closing-day context a factor. |
| Croatia vs Ghana | Balanced, with the stakes likely to shape how open it becomes. |
*Please gamble responsibly. All odds are provided by 32Red and were correct at time of publishing. Odds are subject to change.
Both Teams to Score
Both teams to score is a yes or no on whether each side finds the net. It tends to attract interest in the more open fixtures, where neither team is expected to sit deep. Treat it as a read on game shape rather than a likely result.
Correct Score
Correct score asks for the exact final scoreline, which makes it one of the toughest markets to land given how many outcomes are possible. It suits a small, considered stake at most rather than a central part of any plan.
Group L predictions and where the value sits
Bringing it together, England are the side the rankings and the markets point toward for top spot, with the deeper squad and the home-nation expectation that comes with it. Croatia are the obvious challenger, and the fact the two meet on the opening day means the picture at the top of the group could take shape from the very first round.
Behind the leading pair, the qualification race is genuinely open. Ghana’s attacking pace and Panama’s physical, combative approach both give them routes to influence the group, and the Croatia versus Ghana meeting on the final day could carry real weight. With the best third-placed teams also progressing, the chase for a knockout place may stay competitive deeper into the schedule than the rankings suggest.
The measured approach is to watch the opening round, and the Croatia clash in particular, before settling on a firm forecast. Where realistic value sits, the qualification and group-position markets often give more room for a considered view than the outright winner in a group with a clear favourite and one strong, familiar challenger.
2026 Football Cup Odds
Bet Responsibly
Following the 2026 Football Cup should be enjoyable from first whistle to last, and keeping it that way matters most. Gambling is entertainment, not a way to make money, and no preview can remove the uncertainty that makes sport worth watching. If you do fancy a bet, set a budget you are comfortable losing before you start, and stick to it.
32Red offers tools to help you stay in control, including deposit limits, time limits and the option to take a break when you need one. If gambling stops being fun, GAMSTOP lets you self-exclude across UK-licensed operators, and free, confidential support is available through GamCare and BeGambleAware.org. You must be 18 or over to bet.
FAQs
Which teams are in Group L at the 2026 Football Cup?
Group L contains England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama. The four sides come from three confederations: UEFA (England and Croatia), CAF (Ghana) and CONCACAF (Panama).
Are England favourites to win Group L?
Yes. As one of the highest-ranked sides in the tournament, England are widely seen as the clear favourites to finish top, with Croatia the main challenger. Favourite status reflects expectation only and is never a guarantee.
When and where do England play their group games?
England face Croatia on Jun 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington (Dallas), Ghana on Jun 23 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough (Boston), and Panama on Jun 27 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. All three kick off in UK evening prime time, at roughly 9pm, 9pm and 10pm BST.
Who do England face in their opening match?
England open against Croatia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington (Dallas), a rematch of the 2018 semi-final that Croatia won in extra time.
Have England met Croatia, Ghana and Panama before?
Yes, all three. Croatia knocked England out at the semi-final stage in 2018, with England’s only meeting since a win at the Euro 2020 opener. England have faced Ghana once, a 1-1 friendly in 2011. England beat Panama 6-1 at the 2018 finals, their biggest win at this level.
Can Croatia stop England topping Group L?
It is realistic. Croatia are 2018 runners-up and the main challenger, and the two meet on the opening day in a fixture that could go a long way toward deciding top spot.
How can I bet responsibly?
Set a budget before you start, use deposit and time limits, and take a break if you need one. GAMSTOP offers self-exclusion across UK-licensed operators, and GamCare and BeGambleAware.org provide free, confidential support.
18+ | Please gamble responsibly. Gambling should be entertaining, not a way to make money. All odds provided by 32Red and were correct at time of publishing. Odds are subject to change. BeGambleAware.org.
2026 Football Cup Odds
