England will begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Croatia, a rematch of the 2018 semi-final that saw Gareth Southgate's side eliminated. The draw, held in Washington DC, placed England in Group L alongside Croatia, Panama, and Ghana. The group's matches will be split across four US cities and Toronto, with venues and kick-off times to be announced later.
Thomas Tuchel acknowledged the challenge, saying: "Difficult group, difficult opener. Difficult group with Croatia and Ghana, two regulars in World Cups and two proud and strong nations. Panama, I don't know much about Panama but we will find out." England previously beat Panama 6-1 in the 2018 group stage but have never faced Ghana at a World Cup.
Scotland were drawn in Group C with Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti, a partial repeat of their 1998 World Cup group. The so-called 'Group of Death' is Group I, featuring France, Senegal, Norway, and a playoff winner. The USA will face Australia, Paraguay, and a European playoff winner in their group.
If England top their group, they would face a third-placed team from a selection of groups in the last 32. A potential quarter-final against Brazil and a semi-final against Argentina could follow, due to Fifa's seeding changes preventing top-ranked sides from meeting earlier.
Croatia's golden generation has largely retired, with Ivan Perisic and Luka Modric now aged 36 and 40. England have beaten Croatia since 2018, winning 1-0 at Euro 2021. Ghana have featured in four of the past five tournaments but have declined since reaching the 2010 quarter-finals. Panama, ranked 30th, were unbeaten in two rounds of qualifying.
The draw was complicated by the expanded 48-team format and incomplete playoffs. Fifa also awarded a peace prize to Donald Trump, who praised ticket sales in a two-minute speech. Fifa president Gianni Infantino appeared on stage alongside the leaders of the three host nations.
