Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama | 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw

England will commence their World Cup 2026 journey against Croatia, while Scotland has been drawn in the same group as Brazil, marking a significant moment for both teams as they prepare for the tournament next summer.

Rio Ferdinand is reportedly in discussions with Fox Sports regarding a potential role as an analyst for the 2026 World Cup. The former Manchester United player and England international is known for his insights into the game and has previously worked as a pundit for various sports networks.

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place in Washington, D.C., revealing the group placements for the tournament, which will feature 48 teams across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Spain and England emerged as favorites to win, with the United States holding 50-1 odds.

England has been drawn into Group L for the 2026 World Cup, where they will face Croatia, Panama, and Ghana, marking a rematch against Croatia from the 2018 semi-finals. The matches will take place across various cities in the US and Toronto, with specific venues and kick-off times to be announced soon.

France has been drawn to face Senegal and Norway in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as announced during the draw event held in Washington, D.C. This matchup is significant as it highlights France's competitive landscape in the tournament, particularly against Senegal, a team they have faced in previous international competitions.

Arsenal's Mikel Merino may retain his position as striker as the team prepares for upcoming matches, while Manchester City's Rodri remains unavailable due to injury. This situation follows a recent Premier League clash where West Ham managed a late equalizer against Manchester United, highlighting the competitive nature of the league.

Steve Smith has resumed his Ashes rivalry with Jofra Archer, showcasing his batting prowess as Australia pulls ahead in the ongoing series. Despite Archer's attempts, he has yet to dismiss Smith in a Test match, highlighting the intense competition between the two players. The atmosphere surrounding their encounters has become legendary, particularly following Archer's impactful debut at Lord's in 2019.

England's pace attack, which had previously shown promise in the first innings of the Ashes Test in Perth, faltered significantly during the opening session of day two, allowing Australia to recover and ultimately finish their innings with a modest total. Jofra Archer's early success was overshadowed by the team's inability to capitalize on their initial advantage.