World Cup Hero
Predict the 2026 World Cup your way
Croatia and Panama share Group L at the 2026 World Cup and meet in the group stage. Both sides are fighting to reach the knockouts. On the FIFA ranking, Croatia are the favourite — a 29-place gap.
Croatia - Panama will be played on Friday 26th June 2026 at 18:00 ET in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta. ⏳ Date subject to confirmation.
| Croatia 🇭🇷 | Metric | 🇵🇦 Panama |
|---|---|---|
| #10 | FIFA Ranking | #39 |
| Group L | Group | Group L |
| UEFA | Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Zlatko Dalić | Head coach | Thomas Christiansen |
| 6 | WC appearances | 2 |
| Runner-up (2018) | Best WC | Group stage (2018) |
Two consecutive World Cups in the last four (final 2018, third place 2022) — a statistical absurdity for a country of 4 million. The engine is Luka Modrić, who at 40 plays his fifth and absolutely last World Cup. Beside him, Kovačić, Sosa and Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) carry the project forward. England are the favourites for group top in Group L; Croatia likely take second. Then comes what always happens: they go further than anyone expects. Dalić's tactic is to take more talented teams to extra time — and it often works. A semi-final is plausible; for Modrić it would be symbolic.
Second World Cup appearance ever. Strong growth under Christiansen. Reached the 2023 Gold Cup final and the 2024 Copa América semi-final. In Group L with England and Croatia, advancing is difficult, but a point is achievable.
Set your 10 sliders and decide which teams win according to your model — including this group-stage match.
Start predicting →Yes — Croatia and Panama meet in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup (Group L).
On the FIFA world ranking, Croatia (#10) are favoured over Panama (#39). The gap is 29 ranking places.
Croatia: Runner-up (2018) (6 World Cup appearances). Panama: Group stage (2018) (2 World Cup appearances).
Croatia are coached by Zlatko Dalić. Panama are coached by Thomas Christiansen.
Croatia play in Group L. Panama play in Group L.
Last updated: 2026-06-07