Home / Sports / England Faces Croatia, Ghana, Panama in 2026 WC
England Faces Croatia, Ghana, Panama in 2026 WC
22 May
Summary
- World Cup 2026 starts June 11, concludes July 19.
- England drawn in Group L with Croatia, Ghana, Panama.
- Tickets range from £45 to over £5,000, sparking fan outrage.
The 2026 World Cup is set to commence on June 11, 2026, with the opening match in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium. The tournament will conclude with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. England has been placed in Group L, facing formidable opponents Croatia and Ghana, alongside Panama.
Fans are grappling with the high cost of attending matches, with initial reports indicating ticket packages could exceed £5,000. FIFA has responded by introducing a limited number of more affordable £45 tickets, though outrage persists over 'extortionate' pricing and dynamic pricing strategies. The tournament format expands to 48 teams, introducing a last-32 knockout round.
Matches will be broadcast by BBC Sport and ITV, with some content also available on YouTube for the first time. The tournament's 16 host cities span the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the latter stages concentrated in the US. England's group stage opponents bring significant World Cup pedigree, including Croatia's 2018 final appearance and Ghana's 2010 quarter-final run.
