Group L overview
Group L features Poland, Egypt, Switzerland, and Uzbekistan. Switzerland's trademark consistency, Poland's Robert Lewandowski (potentially in his final World Cup), and Egypt's Mohamed Salah make this a group of stars and substance. Uzbekistan adds the excitement of a World Cup debutant.
Team capsules
Switzerland FIFA Ranking: Top 15 | World Cup appearances: 12 | Best result: Quarter-finals (1934, 1938, 1954, 2020)
The Swiss are the definition of tournament reliability. Four quarter-final appearances, competitive in every group stage, and capable of beating anyone on their day. Granit Xhaka anchors the midfield with experience and composure. Switzerland play a structured, pressing style that suffocates disorganized opponents.
Poland FIFA Ranking: Top 25 | World Cup appearances: 9 | Best result: Third place (1974, 1982)
Robert Lewandowski, at 37, may be playing his final World Cup. The greatest Polish footballer since Boniek and Deyna, Lewandowski has scored over 600 club goals but a deep World Cup run has eluded him. Poland's squad beyond Lewandowski has improved — Nicola Zalewski, Piotr Zielinski, and a new generation of Ekstraklasa exports provide support.
Egypt FIFA Ranking: Top 35 | World Cup appearances: 4 | Best result: Group stage
Egypt's return to the World Cup is driven by Mohamed Salah — one of the greatest African footballers of all time. At 33, Salah's pace has evolved into intelligent movement and devastating finishing. The Pharaohs were heartbroken by their penalty shootout loss to Senegal in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. Redemption is a powerful motivator.
Uzbekistan FIFA Ranking: Top 60 | World Cup appearances: 1 (debut)
Uzbekistan qualifies for their first World Cup through Asia's expanded allocation. The White Wolves have been a consistent force in AFC qualifying for two decades without breaking through until now. The squad features domestic-league players supplemented by a handful of European and Russian-league professionals. A historic achievement regardless of results.
Match schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 15, 2026 | Match 1 | TBD | TBD |
| June 15, 2026 | Match 2 | TBD | TBD |
| June 19, 2026 | Match 3 | TBD | TBD |
| June 19, 2026 | Match 4 | TBD | TBD |
| June 23, 2026 | Match 5 | TBD | TBD |
| June 23, 2026 | Match 6 | TBD | TBD |
Key matchups
Switzerland vs Poland The two favorites for qualification face off in what could be the group decider. Switzerland's pressing against Poland's Lewandowski-centric attack is the tactical contrast. Whoever wins this match has a clear path to the Round of 32.
Egypt vs Switzerland Can Salah unlock the Swiss defense? Switzerland's organized back line — disciplined and hard to break down — against Salah's movement and finishing. Egypt needs a result here to have any chance of advancing.
Prediction
- Switzerland — Tournament pedigree and squad balance make them favorites.
- Poland — Lewandowski's final push and improved squad depth should carry them through.
- Egypt — Salah alone gives them a chance in every match, but squad depth is a concern.
- Uzbekistan — A proud debut, but outmatched across the group.
Match schedule
| Time (ET) | Match | Round | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17:00 | England vs CroatiaAT&T Stadium | Grp L | Dallas |
| 20:00 | Ghana vs PanamaBMO Field | Grp L | Toronto |
| 20:00 | Panama vs CroatiaBMO Field | Grp L | Toronto |
| 17:00 | England vs GhanaGillette Stadium | Grp L | Boston |
| 18:00 | Panama vs EnglandMetLife Stadium | Grp L | New York |
| 18:00 | Croatia vs GhanaLincoln Financial Field | Grp L | Philadelphia |
- England vs Croatia17:00 ET
Dallas · AT&T Stadium
Grp L - Ghana vs Panama20:00 ET
Toronto · BMO Field
Grp L - Panama vs Croatia20:00 ET
Toronto · BMO Field
Grp L - England vs Ghana17:00 ET
Boston · Gillette Stadium
Grp L - Panama vs England18:00 ET
New York · MetLife Stadium
Grp L - Croatia vs Ghana18:00 ET
Philadelphia · Lincoln Financial Field
Grp L
Venues
- boston
- dallas
- new-york
- philadelphia
- toronto
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Group L the weakest group in the tournament?
Not necessarily. Switzerland are a genuine knockout-stage team, and both Poland (Lewandowski) and Egypt (Salah) have world-class individual talent. It is, however, a group without a traditional "heavyweight."
Can Egypt advance past the group stage?
If Salah performs at his peak, anything is possible. Egypt needs to beat Uzbekistan comfortably and take points from Poland or Switzerland. Their defensive organization is strong; the question is whether they score enough goals.
Is this Lewandowski's last World Cup?
Almost certainly. At 37, Lewandowski has stated his desire to compete at one more major tournament. His legacy is defined by club success — a deep World Cup run would add the missing piece.
How did Uzbekistan qualify?
Through AFC qualifying, where the expanded 48-team World Cup allocated 8.5 spots to Asia. Uzbekistan finished in a direct qualifying position, avoiding the intercontinental playoff.
What is Switzerland's World Cup pedigree?
Switzerland has appeared in 12 World Cups and reached the quarter-finals four times. They beat France on penalties at Euro 2020 and consistently punch above their weight in tournament football. They are never an easy opponent.
Where will Egyptian fans gather in the US?
The Egyptian-American community is concentrated in New York (Bay Ridge, Brooklyn), New Jersey (Jersey City), and Southern California. Expect passionate support wherever Egypt plays.
Can Mohamed Salah carry Egypt?
Salah is Egypt's most impactful player in history. In the 2018 World Cup, injury limited his effectiveness. In 2026, a fit Salah transforms Egypt from a defensive side into a genuine attacking threat. His fitness is the single most important factor for Egypt's campaign.
What are Uzbekistan's chances of winning a match?
A victory against Egypt or Poland is not impossible. Uzbekistan's competitive AFC qualifying campaign included results against Saudi Arabia and Australia. They are not tourists — they will compete.
Which teams are in Group L?
Group L is England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama.
When are Group L matches played?
All group-stage games for Group L fall between June 11 and June 26, 2026, across three matchdays—see the table below for ET kickoffs.
Where are Group L matches held?
Fixtures rotate through the FIFA host cities shown beside each match row below—not every game uses the same stadium.
Who is the favorite to win Group L?
Favorites shift with form, but the highest FIFA ranking or strongest recent tournament team in this quartet usually opens as the betting front-row—compare all four team cards on this page.
How many teams from Group L advance?
Two teams go through automatically as top two finishers, and the third-place side can still qualify if it lands inside the eight best thirds overall.
What is the format of Group L matches?
Each nation plays three group games (home/away-balanced draw), earning three points for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss.
What happens if teams in Group L are tied on points?
FIFA applies tiebreakers in order: goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head among tied teams, fair play, then a random draw.
When is the last matchday for Group L?
Group L finishes on FIFA’s final group round when both remaining games kick off at the same time—dates and ET times are in the schedule grid.