Group L · FIFA World Cup 2026
🇭🇷 Croatia at World Cup 2026
Croatia enters the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Group L alongside England, Ghana, Panama. Here is everything you need: the full fixture schedule, group opponents and team background.
Group
Group L
Confederation
UEFA
World Cups
7
Best result
Third place (1998, 2022)
Host nation
No
Croatia group-stage fixtures
Croatia plays three group-stage matches in Group L. All times are Eastern Time (ET).
| Match | Date | Time | Fixture | Stage | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Jun 17 | 16:00 ET | 🏴 England vs 🇭🇷 Croatia | Group L | AT&T Stadium, Arlington |
| 46 | Jun 23 | 19:00 ET | 🇵🇦 Panama vs 🇭🇷 Croatia | Group L | BMO Field, Toronto |
| 68 | Jun 27 | 17:00 ET | 🇭🇷 Croatia vs 🇬🇭 Ghana | Group L | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
Group L opponents
Click any team to see their full fixture list and group context.
Croatia at the 2026 World Cup
Croacia ha alcanzado el tercer puesto del mundial en dos ocasiones (1998 y 2022), siendo proporcionalmente la selección más exitosa de la historia reciente. El equipo atraviesa una transición generacional tras la brillante era de Luka Modrić.
In 2026, Croatia faces England, Ghana, Panama in the group stage. The top two teams in Group L qualify directly to the Round of 32. Even a third-place finish could be enough if Croatia post strong results — the eight best third-place records across all 12 groups also advance.
How does Croatia qualify from Group L?
In the 2026 World Cup group stage, teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss. The maximum from 3 matches is 9 points.
1st or 2nd in Group L
Automatic Round of 32 spot
3rd in Group L with a strong record
Potential Round of 32 spot (if top-8 third)
4th in Group L
Eliminated after group stage
Tiebreakers within the group follow this order: goal difference → goals scored → head-to-head points → head-to-head goal difference → disciplinary record → FIFA draw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which group is Croatia in at the 2026 World Cup?
Croatia is in Group L with England, Ghana, Panama.
When does Croatia play its first World Cup 2026 match?
Croatia opens the group stage on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 16:00 ET at att.
How can Croatia qualify for the knockout stage?
The top two teams in Group L advance automatically to the Round of 32. The eight best third-place finishers across all 12 groups also advance, so Croatia can qualify even without finishing first or second — but that depends on results across all groups.
How many World Cups has Croatia appeared in?
Croatia has appeared in 7 FIFA World Cups. Their best result is Third place (1998, 2022).
What is Croatia's best World Cup result?
Croatia's best result is Third place (1998, 2022).
Is Croatia a host nation at the 2026 World Cup?
No — Croatia qualified through their continental qualifying campaign.
How many matches does Croatia play in the 2026 World Cup group stage?
Croatia plays exactly three group-stage matches — one against each of their Group L opponents: England, Ghana, Panama. If they qualify, they play additional knockout-round matches starting with the Round of 32.