England discovered on Friday that they will compete in Group L against Croatia, Panama and Ghana at the 2026 World Cup.
US President Donald Trump attended the World Cup draw on Friday, where he received a special ‘peace prize’ from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who presented him with a medal and a certificate – in case anyone doubted the validity of the new prize.
Trump conducted the first phase of the draw along with his Canadian and Mexican counterparts, Mark Carney and Claudia Sheinbaum. The three political leaders each pointlessly opened a ball to reveal the name of their own nation.
Donald Trump introduced himself wearing his FIFA peace medal during the 2026 World Cup draw
Former Three Lions defender Rio Ferdinand later led an all-star football cast in conducting the real draw, while the glitzy ceremony included musical performances from Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger.
England boss Thomas Tuchel is likely to be very happy with Ferdinand’s work. The average position of England’s opponents in the FIFA world rankings is 37, with Croatia, Panama and Ghana ranked 10th, 30th and 72nd respectively.
Furthermore, England are currently 13 places above Croatia in the all-time World Cup rankings, while they are 30 places above Ghana and 68 places above Panama.
Full World Cup group stage draw
| Group A | Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, UEFA play-off winner D* |
| Group B | Canada, UEFA play-off A winner*, Qatar, Switzerland |
| Group C | Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland |
| Group D | USA, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA play-off winner C* |
| Group E | Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador |
| Group F | Netherlands, Japan, winner UEFA play-off B*, Tunisia |
| Group G | Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand |
| Group H | Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay |
| Group I | France, Senegal, FIFA play-off 2 winner*, Norway |
| Group J | Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan |
| Group K | Portugal, FIFA play-off 1 winner*, Uzbekistan, Colombia |
| Group L | England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama |
* Play-off routes and participating teams are as follows:
UEFA play-off A: Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina
UEFA play-off B: Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Albania
UEFA play-off C: Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, Kosovo
UEFA play-off D: Denmark, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, Ireland
FIFA play-off 1 (Interconfederation Path A): New Caledonia, Jamaica, DR Congo
FIFA play-off 2 (Interconfederation Path B): Suriname, Bolivia, Iraq
England’s head-to-head records against Croatia, Panama and Ghana
England have head-to-head winning records against both Croatia and Panama, while their only previous meeting with Ghana in 2011 ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Three Lions have also only played Panama once, but they still have a history of dominance against the Central American country, having defeated them 6-1 in the group stages of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Croatia knocked England out of that tournament in 2018. But England have beaten Croatia twice since then and have a winning record overall, with six wins and just three defeats.
England vs Croatia neck and neck
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| June 2021 | European Championship 2020 | England 1-0 Croatia |
| November 2018 | League of Nations | England 2-1 Croatia |
| Oct 2018 | League of Nations | Croatia 0-0 England |
| July 2018 | World Cup | Croatia 2-1 England |
| September 2009 | World Cup qualification | England 5-1 Croatia |
| September 2008 | World Cup qualification | Croatia 1-4 England |
| November 2007 | Euro qualification | England 2-3 Croatia |
| October 2006 | Euro qualification | Croatia 2-0 England |
| June 2004 | Euro 2004 | Croatia 2-4 England |
| August 2003 | Friendly | England 3-1 Croatia |
| April 1996 | Friendly | England 0-0 Croatia |
England’s route to the World Cup final
England, who finished third FootballBlog.co.ukIn the recent 2026 World Cup simulation, they will play a third-place team in the round of 32 if they win their group.
That opponent would come from groups E, H, I, J or K. Should England get past that challenge, the winner of Group A would most likely await in the round of 16.
Because England are fourth in the world rankings, England cannot meet any of the other top four teams until the semi-finals – assuming all four finish first in their respective groups.
Should all four reach the semi-finals according to their seedings, England would face Argentina, while Spain and France would contest the other semi-final.
But Thomas Tuchel will first focus on episode 12 of England vs Croatia. That will take place on June 17.
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