Group L – who are the key players?published at 12:27 BST
England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Image source, Getty Images
England captain Harry Kane might be the most inform striker going into the tournament after scoring 54 goals for Bayern Munich this season and so, like every tournament he’s played in, is one to watch.
Besides the 32-year-old, World Cup debutant Elliot Anderson is another one to keep an eye on. The Nottingham Forest midfielder had the most touches (3,300), won the most duels (297) & won the most possession (306) of any top-flight player during a season in which he had to deal with the death of his mother.
For Croatia, it’s no other than legend Luka Modric. Now 40, the midfielder continues to drive standards and direct play for club and country. The man in the mask – which he’s expected to wear to protect a fractured cheekbone – won the 2018 Ballon d’Or and is Croatia’s greatest player of all time.
Ghana’s leading man is Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo. His dream season culminated in him scoring one of the great FA Cup final goals in May. The two-footed winger became only the second man after Andy Cole to score 10 or more goals in all competitions for two different teams within the same Premier League season.
Adalberto Carrasquilla is Panama’s midfield orchestrator. His poise, athleticism and high technical level were recognised when he became the first Panamanian to win Concacaf’s Men’s Player of the Year award in 2024. Known as ‘Coco’, the 27-year-old was injured playing for his Mexican club in May and could miss the start of the tournament.
