How England last fared against their 2026 World Cup group stage opponents

As England prepare for the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, attention turns to how they've previously fared against Panama, Ghana and Croatia.

Past meetings don't guarantee future results, but they offer useful context around styles, psychological edges and how England perform against different types of opposition. For fans, pundits and those interested in football betting, these historical match-ups help shape expectations.

Here's how England last got on against each of them, and what it might tell us this time around.

 

England vs Panama – 2018 World Cup

England last played Panama during the group stage of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The Three Lions won 6–1, effectively securing qualification from the group after just two games. Harry Kane scored a hat-trick, with goals also coming from John Stones (twice) and Jesse Lingard. The game was effectively over by half-time, with England leading 5–0.

That match showed England at their clinical best against weaker opposition. They were ruthless from set pieces, decisive in transition and never allowed Panama back into the contest. It's one of the clearest examples of England doing exactly what was expected of them on the big stage.

 

England vs Ghana – 2011 friendly

England last played Ghana in a friendly at Wembley in March 2011, and the match ended in a 0–0 stalemate.

Despite controlling large periods of the game, England couldn't find a breakthrough. The match was notable for Ghana's disciplined defensive display and England's lack of cutting edge in the final third.

While the fixture carried none of the pressure of tournament football, it's still a reminder that England have previously struggled to turn dominance into goals against well-organised sides.

 

England vs Croatia – 2021 Euros

England will begin their group stage against Croatia, a fixture with recent history and added edge.

The two sides have met several times in recent years, most recently in 2021 during the group stage of the postponed Euro 2020 tournament. England won 1–0, with Raheem Sterling scoring the decisive goal at Wembley. It was a controlled performance and an important win, setting England on their way to the knockout stages.

However, Croatia are closely linked with one of England's most painful recent defeats. The last time Croatia beat England came in the 2018 World Cup semi-final, where they won 2–1 after extra time. England had taken an early lead through Kieran Trippier, but Croatia grew into the game and eventually knocked England out, progressing to the final. Croatia lost 4–2 to France in Moscow.

With this match opening England's group campaign, there'll be hope of making a strong early statement. A positive result against a familiar and respected opponent would set the tone for the group and show England's progress since that setback in 2018.

England's recent record against their group-stage opponents offers a clear mix of confidence and caution. Panama are a fixture where England will expect control and goals. Ghana's last meeting showed how stubborn and disciplined opponents can frustrate them. Croatia are likely to be the trickiest test – a side that's already shown it knows how to end England's tournament run.

How England handle those contrasting challenges will define their progress once again.