Group L World Cup 2026: Final Standings, Results & Who Qualified
Group L World Cup 2026 is settled. England won the group, Croatia took second, and Ghana advanced as one of the best third-placed teams. Panama went out. The group ran June 17 to 27.
Here is the bottom line. England beat Panama 2-0 to finish top on seven points. Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 to take second on six. Ghana ended third on four points but still reached the round of 32. Panama lost all three and finished bottom.
Below you get the full schedule with ET kickoff times, live standings, and results. You also see how to watch every Group L game in the US.
Group L World Cup 2026 Teams
Four teams made up Group L, and the top was loaded. England brought depth and pressure. Croatia brought big-tournament pedigree. Ghana and Panama aimed to upset the order. The FIFA rankings below show the final list before the tournament.
| Team | Confederation | FIFA Ranking | How They Qualified | Best World Cup Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏴 England | UEFA | 4 | European qualifying | Champions (1966) |
| 🇭🇷 Croatia | UEFA | 11 | European qualifying | Runners-up (2018) |
| 🇬🇭 Ghana | CAF | 73 | African qualifying | Quarter-finals (2010) |
| 🇵🇦 Panama | CONCACAF | 34 | North American qualifying | Group stage |
Tap any team name above for its full and final 26-man squad.
Group L World Cup 2026 Schedule
Group L played six matches over two weeks. England faced Croatia in the opener, and the final two matches kicked off together on June 27.
All times below are Eastern Time (ET).
| Date | Match | Kickoff (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, June 17 | England 4-2 Croatia | 4:00 p.m. | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| Wed, June 17 | Ghana 1-0 Panama | 7:00 p.m. | BMO Field, Toronto |
| Tue, June 23 | England 0-0 Ghana | 4:00 p.m. | Gillette Stadium, Boston |
| Tue, June 23 | Panama 0-1 Croatia | 7:00 p.m. | BMO Field, Toronto |
| Sat, June 27 | Panama 0-2 England | 5:00 p.m. | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| Sat, June 27 | Croatia 2-1 Ghana | 5:00 p.m. | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
Group L played in the US and Canada. England’s games were in Dallas, Boston, and New Jersey, and Croatia vs Ghana was in Philadelphia. Toronto hosted the other two matches. The June 27 games kicked off together.
Want the full picture? See the complete World Cup 2026 schedule for all 104 matches.
World Cup 2026 Group L Standings
The standings below update live as results come in. The top two teams advanced, and the best third-placed teams can also reach the round of 32. Final standings: England won Group L on seven points and a plus-four goal difference. Croatia finished second on six. Ghana came third on four and still advanced among the best third-placed teams, while Panama ended bottom with no points.
FIFA changed the tiebreakers for 2026. If teams finish level on points, head-to-head results now come first. The order is head-to-head points, then head-to-head goal difference, then head-to-head goals scored. If teams are still level, FIFA uses overall goal difference, then overall goals scored, then the fair play record, and finally the FIFA ranking.
Group L Results
England beat Croatia 4-2 in a chaotic opener in Dallas. Harry Kane scored twice, with Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also on target, and Martin Baturina and Petar Musa replying for Croatia. In Toronto, Ghana edged Panama 1-0 as Caleb Yirenkyi struck deep in stoppage time.
On June 23, England were held to a 0-0 draw by Ghana in Boston, with both teams moving to four points. Croatia kept their hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto through Ante Budimir, a result that eliminated Panama.
On June 27, England beat Panama 2-0 to win the group, with Harry Kane scoring his 11th World Cup goal to move ahead of Gary Lineker. Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 to take second. Ghana lost but still advanced as one of the best third-placed teams, reaching the knockouts for the first time since 2010.
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England
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Croatia
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Ghana
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Panama
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| 1 | England | 4–2 | 0–0 | |||
| 2 | Croatia | 2–1 | ||||
| 3 | Ghana | 1–0 | ||||
| 4 | Panama | 0–2 | 0–1 |
How to Watch Group L World Cup 2026 in the US
You had clear options in both English and Spanish. In English, games aired on FOX and FS1, with select matches streaming free on the Tubi app. In Spanish, they aired on Telemundo and Universo, or streamed on Peacock.
The group stage is done. England, Croatia, and Ghana all reached the round of 32. Their knockout dates and opponents follow next.
Ready to watch? See our full World Cup 2026 live stream guide for every viewing option.
Who Won Group L?
England won Group L. A 4-2 win over Croatia, a 0-0 draw with Ghana, and a 2-0 win over Panama left them top on seven points, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham leading under Thomas Tuchel.
Croatia recovered from their opening loss to finish second, beating Panama and Ghana with Luka Modrić still driving them. Ghana lost to Croatia but advanced as a best third-placed team, back in the knockouts for the first time since 2010. Panama went out after losing all three.
FAQ About Group L World Cup 2026
Who won Group L at the 2026 World Cup?
England won Group L with seven points, beating Croatia and Panama and drawing with Ghana. Croatia finished second on six points, and Ghana came third on four but still advanced as one of the best third-placed teams. Panama lost all three and went out.
Have England won the World Cup?
Yes, but only once. England won the World Cup in 1966, on home soil, and have not won it since, a 60-year wait. Under coach Thomas Tuchel, they won Group L in 2026 with seven points, beating Croatia 4-2 and Panama 2-0 and drawing 0-0 with Ghana.
How have Croatia done at recent World Cups?
Croatia have been remarkable. They reached the World Cup final in 2018 and finished third in 2022, a huge feat for a nation of under four million people. After losing 4-2 to England, they beat Panama and Ghana to finish second in Group L, with Luka Modrić still driving them.
What is Ghana’s best World Cup result?
Ghana’s best run came in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals, denied a semifinal place by a late Luis Suárez handball. In 2026 they finished third in Group L on four points and advanced as a best third-placed team, their first knockout appearance since 2010.
Have England and Croatia met at a World Cup before?
Yes. Croatia knocked England out of the 2018 World Cup, winning their semifinal 2-1 after extra time. The two were drawn together again in Group L, and this time England got revenge with a 4-2 win on June 17.
What channel is Group L on in the US?
In English, Group L matches air on FOX and FS1. Select games stream free on Tubi. In Spanish, watch on Telemundo and Universo, or stream the Spanish feed on Peacock.
Group L World Cup 2026 ended with England top, Croatia second, and Ghana through as a best third-placed team, while Panama went out. The group finished June 27 across the US and Canada.
Bookmark this page for live standings and results, and follow the qualifiers in the knockouts on FOX, FS1, Telemundo, and Peacock.
