England and Croatia *should* romp through Group L, leaving inexperienced and untalented Panama and underperforming Ghana in their wake. But will they? That’s why we have to play the games. Let’s dig in and see what Group L looks like.
Schedule
Wednesday, June 17th
England vs. Croatia (4pm EST), Ghana vs. Panama (7pm)
Tuesday, June 23rd
England vs. Ghana (4pm), Panama vs. Croatia (7pm)
Saturday, June 27th
Panama vs. England, Croatia vs. Ghana (both at 5pm)
England
Is it coming home? England has a mixed history in 21st-century
World Cups, reaching the semifinal (2018), the quarterfinals three times (2002, 2006, and 2022), the round of 16 once (2010), and failing to get out of their group once (2014). It was certainly surprising to see all three of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, and Cole Palmer left off the roster, although Harry Maguire (now 33) was a bit more understandable. Even without those big names, England still boasts strong talent. The attack is led by Harry Kane (now 32, at Bayern Munich), Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), and Anthony Gordon (Newcastle). Midfield includes Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), and Tuchel opted to bring 35-year-old Jordan Henderson (now at Brentford). Man City duo John Stones and Marc Guéhi (Chris Richards’ former Crystal Palace teammate) are the big names on the back line, along with Chelsea’s Reece James.
FIFA Ranking: 4
Elo Ranking: 4
Manager: Thomas Tuchel (Germany)
Transfermarkt squad value: €1.37 billion (2nd-highest at the World Cup)
Croatia
Croatia didn’t get to the 2010 World Cup, and they didn’t get out of their group in 2002, 2006, or 2014. But they made the final in 2018, and the semifinals in 2022. That group is aging, though. Luka Modrić is 40. Mateo Kovacic is 32. Andrej Kramaric is 34, and Ivan Perišić is 37. They just keep trucking on. There are some younger names. Petar Sučić (22) is a midfielder at Inter. The defenders include Josko Gvardiol (24, Man City), Luka Vuskovic (19, Hamburg), Josip Stanisic (26, Bayern Munich), Josip Sutalo (26, Ajax), and Duje Caleta-Car (29, Real Sociedad), plus World Cup-heroic keeper Dominik Livakovic (31, Dinamo Zagreb). MLS fans may recognize striker Petar Musa (28, FC Dallas) and winger Marco Pašalić (25, Orlando City). From an American perspective, Modrić plays with Pulisic at AC Milan, and Perišić is at PSV with Pepi and Dest.
FIFA Ranking: 11
Elo Ranking: 12
Manager: Zlatko Dalić
Transfermarkt squad value: €388 million (17th at the tournament)
Panama
Panama didn’t appear at the World Cup until 2018 (and they wouldn’t have appeared then if Concacaf had VAR in qualifying to recognize an obvious handball goal, but I digress). They exited the group stage with zero points in 2018, and didn’t qualify in 2022. They made their way back for this summer’s tournament, and they’ll get to go up against some high-caliber opposition in England and Croatia. There was some surprise to see 18-year-old Botafogo forward Kadir Barria left off the roster. Former New York Red Bulls right back Amir Murillo (30, now at Beşiktaş) and defender José Córdoba (25, Norwich City) are two of their players who are highest in European club football. The creative load will be placed on former Houston Dynamo midfielder Coco Carrasquilla (27, now with Pumas UNAM in Liga MX).
FIFA Ranking: 34
Elo Ranking: 36
Manager: Thomas Christiansen (Denmark)
Transfermarkt squad value: €35 million (43rd at the tournament)
Ghana
Ghana made it to the quarterfinals in 2010 (losing to Uruguay on penalties), the round of 16 in 2006 (losing to Brazil), failed to qualify in 2002 and 2018, and lost in their group in 2014 and 2022. They offer one of the starkest drop-offs from theoretical player talent level (24th at the tournament) to team ranking (FIFA #73, Elo #81). Their injury list includes Tottenham winger Mohammed Kudus and central defenders Mohammed Salisu (Monaco) and Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow). Their roster does include attackers Antoine Semenyo (26, Man City), Abdul Fatawu (22, Leicester), and Iñaki Williams (31, Athletic Bilbao). Iñaki Williams and his brother Nico (representing Spain) are the very rare case of brothers who are club teammates but represent different nations. 120-cap striker André Ayew (36, NAC Breda) was left off the roster, along with LA Galaxy winger Joseph Paintsil.
FIFA Ranking: 73
Elo Ranking: 81
Manager: Carlos Queiroz (Portugal)
Transfermarkt squad value: €236 million (24th at the tournament)
Who will advance from Group L? What matches are most interesting to you? Let us know in the comments.
