The official starting lineups for two key 2026 World Cup fixtures, Croatia vs. Ghana and Panama vs. England, have been announced. Both matches are set to kick off at 22:00 UK time (23:00 CEST) and will conclude Group L of the tournament.
Following an initial 4-2 victory over Croatia, England’s path to the next round seemed secure. However, a subsequent 0-0 draw with Ghana has made the group standings more competitive. Croatia now aims to defeat Ghana and secure their spot in the Round of 32.
The Croatian squad features significant Serie A representation, including Luka Modrić (Milan), Martin Baturina (Como), Nikola Vlašić (Torino), Petar Šučić (Inter), and Marin Pongračić (Fiorentina). Mario Pašalić of Atalanta is on the bench. For Ghana, Kamaldeen Sulemana, who also plays for Atalanta, was benched for their match against England. A draw in the Croatia vs. Ghana game would see both teams advance to the knockout stage.
In the other match, England manager Thomas Tuchel is making adjustments due to Reece James’s injury, which also puts his availability for the Round of 32 at risk. Other changes against Panama are part of squad rotation, with Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Elliott Anderson returning to the starting XI.
Croatia vs. Ghana Line-ups
Croatia: Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Pongračić, Perišić; Kovačić, Modrić; Vlašić, Šučić, Baturina; Budimir
Ghana: Asare; Senaya, Adjetey, Luckassen, Mensah; Partey, Owusu, Sibo; Sulemana, Ayew, Semenyo
Panama vs. England Line-ups
Panama: Mosquera; Córdoba, Escobar, Harvey, Andrade, Murillo, Gutiérrez; Martínez, J. Rodríguez, Barcenas; T. Rodríguez
England: Pickford; Konsa, Guehi, Quansah, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rogers; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane