TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – England will conclude their Group L campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Panama at New York New Jersey Stadium in the United States on Sunday, June 28, with kickoff scheduled for 4:00 AM WIB (2100 GMT Saturday).
Although England have already secured a place in the round of 32, Thomas Tuchel's side will still be targeting victory in hopes of finishing as Group L winners. To top the group, England must defeat Panama and hope Croatia take points off Ghana in the group's other final match.
England and Ghana, both on four points, have already guaranteed their places in the knockout stage. Croatia sit third with three points and remain in contention to qualify as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams, while bottom-placed Panama have already been eliminated after losing both of their opening matches.
England opened their World Cup campaign with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Croatia before being held to a goalless draw by Ghana in their second outing.
Panama, meanwhile, are competing in only their second FIFA World Cup and have yet to earn a point. They suffered identical 1-0 defeats to Ghana and Croatia in their first two matches.
Should England finish top of Group L, they will face one of the tournament's best third-placed teams from Groups E, H, I, J, or K in the round of 32. If they finish as runners-up, they will meet the runner-up from Group K, currently occupied by Portugal.
If Croatia advance as one of the best third-placed teams, they would face the winners of Group K, where Colombia currently lead the standings.
Head-to-Head Record
England and Panama have met only once at the FIFA World Cup, during the group stage of the 2018 tournament in Russia.
England cruised to a 6-1 victory in that match, played during Panama's World Cup debut. Harry Kane scored a hat-trick—two goals from the penalty spot and another via a deflection—and went on to finish as the tournament's Golden Boot winner with six goals, ahead of France's Antoine Griezmann, who scored four.
John Stones added two goals, both headers, while Jesse Lingard also found the net. Panama's lone goal, their first ever at a World Cup finals, was scored by Felipe Baloy.
Christiansen Sees Chance to Prove Panama's Progress
Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen believes Sunday's match offers his team an opportunity to show how much they have improved since their heavy defeat to England eight years ago.
The Danish coach also hopes to build on his side's encouraging performances despite narrow defeats to Ghana and Croatia.
"First of all, I want to show my respect to Harry Kane," Christiansen said. "I think we have changed a lot since England last faced Panama eight years ago. Now we have to prove that on the pitch tomorrow."
England manager Thomas Tuchel, meanwhile, said his team are fully focused on securing victory despite several injury concerns.
Reece James has been ruled out with an injury, while Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka are recovering from minor knocks and may not be at full fitness.
"Today they trained fully with the squad," Tuchel said. "After the Ghana match they had some minor issues, but they have had enough time to recover. Apart from Reece James, everyone is available and ready to play."
Predicted lineups:
Panama: Mosquera (GK); Blackman, Cordoba, Ramos, Harvey, Andrade, Murillo; Martinez, Rodriguez, Barcenas; Fajardo.
England: Pickford (GK); Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly; Mainoo, Anderson, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Rashford.
Read: World Cup Prediction: Will Portugal Edge Colombia as Group Top?
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