Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a beast of a group with England, Croatia, Panama and Ghana all set to compete for a spot in the expanded Round of 32. But is it strong enough to be called the “Group of Death”?
The answer to that question might not reveal itself until the ball gets rolling in June, but one thing is for certain: the level of competition will be high in Group L, and England is the early favorite.
“I thank the soccer gods for this group when it comes to England,” U.S. Soccer legend Alexi Lalas said during FOX Sports’ post-draw show on Friday. “This is not an easy group, [but] I nonetheless assume England goes to discover a method out of it. England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama; that is a tough group.
“I believe you are hard-pressed to search out, instantly, a Group of Loss of life, however I believe you’ll level to that group and say, ‘Definitely, these three groups proper there can beat one another up,’ after which you’ve gotten Panama that perhaps can toss stuff in there. This can be a enjoyable group. That is an attention-grabbing group.”
Soccer legend Thierry Henry can be intrigued by Group L, although he additionally has his eye on Group I, the place his native France drew Senegal and Norway.
“It is robust to name teams now ‘Group of Loss of life’ as a result of the third group can undergo,” Henry mentioned. “Again within the day, you end third, you are out. However it’s a particular one as a result of, as soon as once more, that France–Senegal would be the identical for England-Ghana.
“I reside in London, and I can guarantee you that when the Ghanaians have seen the draw taking part in England, we will hear about it, in order that’s going to be a tough one, however you want to assume that England shall be one or two there.”
England has the entire expertise it must win its group, however its match luck (or lack thereof) mixed with Croatia’s expertise will make it exhausting for anybody to pencil in a winner in Group L.
“The Croatians are a match group, although, though Luka Modric is pushing 65 years previous and strikes like an 18-year-old, he is a conductor,” Former U.S. males’s nationwide group midfielder Stu Holden mentioned. “England are and shall be, come subsequent summer time, one of many nice favorites to win the competitors, and I believe they will have bother with Croatia.
Modric, who turned 40 in September, helped Croatia attain the semifinal spherical of the 2022 World Cup earlier than being despatched residence by Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Holden additionally warns that England and Croatia cannot low cost Panama.
“They are a group that, though they struggled slightly bit within the qualification, has an excellent coach in Thomas Christiansen, who recreation plans effectively,” Holden mentioned. “They play a really risk-averse construction. They sit again behind the ball. They take up stress, and so they frustrate a few of these groups.
“I believe one of many little keys to that is going to be seeing which stadiums [these matches are in] and if England will get maybe a recreation that is in a dome and might they handle by the match.”
Panama did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup, however they did advance to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Copa America and the 2025 Gold Cup. Might they shock the world and do the identical in 2026?
Solely time will inform for these 4 nations, however anticipate fireworks in Group L.
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