Group L gets the action underway at the 2026 World Cup on Saturday night when England face Panama, and Croatia come up against Ghana, with both games on at 10pm UK time.
England head into the final round of games top of Group L on four points, just ahead of Ghana on goal difference. Croatia are hot on the duo’s heels with three points, while Panama have already been eliminated.
England and Ghana already know they are in the last-32, while Croatia have the opportunity to join them in the knockout stages. The question now is: which order will the three countries finish in Group L?
Here are the key World Cup 2026 stats ahead of the two games.
Key stats in Group L
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Panama vs England
- Panama key stat: Panama are on the verge of unwanted World Cup history, as a defeat to England would see them join El Salvador, Haiti, and Iraq in losing their first six matches at the tournament.
- England key stat: The Three Lions have the opportunity to go unbeaten in the group stages for the fifth time (2022, 2010, 2006, 2002) in their last seven World Cup appearances.
England’s exhilarating 4-2 victory over Croatia, was swiftly followed by a damp squib of a goalless draw against Ghana. The Three Lions will now look to rediscover their spark against already-eliminated Panama in New York.
England have the opportunity to go unbeaten in the group stages for the fifth time (2022, 2010, 2006, 2002) in their last seven World Cup appearances. Win the group and they will face a third-place finisher, but a runners-up spot would set up a potential clash with either Colombia or Portugal.
England thrashed Panama 6-1 in their only previous meeting eight years ago at the 2018 World Cup. Harry Kane scored a hat-trick on that day and England’s all time goalscorer (81 goals) needs only one more goal to surpass Gary Lineker as the country’s all-time leading scorer at World Cups (both on 10 goals).
Panama, who are still searching for their first ever point, are already out of the tournament having lost to both Ghana and Croatia.
Another defeat would see them sink to their sixth defeat in six World Cup games, equalling the unwanted records of El Salvador, Haiti, and Iraq.
Croatia vs Ghana
- Croatia key stat: Croatia are seeking their sixth win from their last nine group stage games at the World Cup (W5 D2).
- Ghana key stat: The Black Stars could become the first African country to ever keep three clean sheets in the World Cup group stages.
Croatia bounced back from their 4-2 defeat to England by edging past Panama 1-0, keeping their qualification hopes alive heading into a decisive final Group L encounter with Ghana. Just one point separates the two sides, with Ghana on four points and Croatia on three.
Croatia’s record in recent World Cup group-stage matches is impressive, despite their loss to England. They have won five of their last eight games at this stage of the competition, keeping clean sheets on five occasions.
Ghana, meanwhile, followed up a 1-0 victory over Panama with a disciplined goalless draw against England. Victory, or even a draw if England lose, here could see them top the group and set a new national record of seven points in a single World Cup group stage, surpassing the six they collected on their tournament debut in 2006.
Ghana are one of four countries – Mexico, Spain & Argentina – yet to concede at the tournament so far and could become the first African country to ever keep three clean sheets in the group stages.
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