Group L reaches its decisive final matchday on Saturday with all four teams kicking off simultaneously at 5 p.m. ET. England and Ghana sit level at the summit with four points each, while Croatia remain within reach on three points. Panama have no points and are eliminated, yet they retain the capacity to shape the final standings.
The Permutations
England require only a win or a draw against Panama to guarantee progression to the Round of 32. A victory would likely secure first place, though if Ghana also overcome Croatia, the group title would be decided by tiebreakers. Should England draw while Ghana and Croatia also share the spoils, the Three Lions would win the group; however, a draw combined with a winner emerging from the other fixture would relegate England to second place. Even defeat might not eliminate them entirely, as they could yet survive as one of the four best third-placed teams.
Ghana face an identical requirement: avoid defeat against Croatia and they are through. A win would carry them to seven points and guarantee top spot should England fail to beat Panama. If both England and Ghana triumph, first place depends on tiebreakers. A draw ensures a top-two finish with five points. Should they lose, dropping to four points, they would occupy third place but would still stand a strong chance of qualifying via the third-place route.
Croatia must beat Ghana to guarantee automatic progression. This result would lift them to six points, securing a top-two berth. They would win the group if England stumble against Panama, but settle for second if England prevail. A draw would leave them third on four points with a goal difference of minus one; based on current standings across the tournament, this should suffice for a best-third-place slot. Defeat would leave them on three points and awaiting confirmation of their fate pending other groups’ outcomes.
Schedule and Broadcast
Panama versus England airs on FOX, with Croatia against Ghana shown on FS1. Both matches commence at 5 p.m. ET. Panama, while unable to advance, could yet deny England the group crown and will aim to register their first points of the competition.