Group L · FIFA World Cup 2026
🏴 England at World Cup 2026
England enters the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana, Panama. Here is everything you need: the full fixture schedule, group opponents and team background.
Group
Group L
Confederation
UEFA
World Cups
16
Best result
Champion (1966)
Host nation
No
England group-stage fixtures
England 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 |
| 45 | Jun 23 | 16:00 ET | 🏴 England vs 🇬🇭 Ghana | Group L | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough |
| 67 | Jun 27 | 17:00 ET | 🇵🇦 Panama vs 🏴 England | Group L | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
Group L opponents
Click any team to see their full fixture list and group context.
England at the 2026 World Cup
Inglaterra ganó su único Mundial en 1966 como local, un hito que no ha podido repetir en seis décadas. Los "Tres Leones" llegan a 2026 con una de sus mejores plantillas históricas, liderada por Jude Bellingham, en busca de su segunda Copa del Mundo.
In 2026, England faces Croatia, 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 England post strong results — the eight best third-place records across all 12 groups also advance.
How does England 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 England in at the 2026 World Cup?
England is in Group L with Croatia, Ghana, Panama.
When does England play its first World Cup 2026 match?
England opens the group stage on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 16:00 ET at att.
How can England 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 England can qualify even without finishing first or second — but that depends on results across all groups.
How many World Cups has England appeared in?
England has appeared in 16 FIFA World Cups. Their best result is Champion (1966).
What is England's best World Cup result?
England's best result is Champion (1966).
Is England a host nation at the 2026 World Cup?
No — England qualified through their continental qualifying campaign.
How many matches does England play in the 2026 World Cup group stage?
England plays exactly three group-stage matches — one against each of their Group L opponents: Croatia, Ghana, Panama. If they qualify, they play additional knockout-round matches starting with the Round of 32.