Group L World Cup Odds & Betting
Will Jackson 
Craig Jones
Group L is arguably the most followed group in the tournament for UK bettors, with England making their case to end 60 years of hurt. Croatia, the side that eliminated them in the 2018 semi-finals, are the standout opponent, with Ghana and Panama completing the group.
Thomas Tuchel's England arrive as one of the top four-ranked teams in the tournament after a record-breaking qualifying campaign in which they won all eight matches without conceding a single goal, becoming the first European nation to book their place at the 2026 finals.
Croatia are the most dangerous opponent England will face in the group, a side with the experience of a 2018 final and 2022 semi-final that will use every ounce of tactical intelligence to make life difficult for the Three Lions. The history between these two sides adds an extra edge to what is already a fascinating fixture.
Ghana are an entertaining, technically gifted African side whose matches tend to produce goals, while Panama make their second World Cup appearance and will compete hard in every game they play.
England are strong favourites to top Group L and the odds on them doing so represent one of the most straightforward group winner bets in the tournament. The battle for second between Croatia and Ghana is the more interesting market, with Croatia's experience making them the likeliest qualifier but Ghana's attacking intent keeping it competitive.
Group L Winner Odds
Our best betting sites have the latest group winner odds for the World Cup.
Group L to Qualify Odds
Check out the latest qualification odds from our World Cup betting sites.
Group L Fixtures
Check out the latest fixtures to look at with your free bet offers.
Gamble Responsibly
Betting on the World Cup should be an enjoyable part of following the tournament. With 64 matches across six weeks, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the markets, but it's important to approach it in a way that stays fun from the group stage right through to the final. Here's everything you need to know about betting safely.
Set a Budget Before the Tournament Starts
The single most effective thing you can do before placing your first bet is decide how much you're comfortable spending across the whole tournament. With matches coming thick and fast during the group stage, it's easy to find yourself betting more than you intended without a clear limit in place.
Think of your betting budget the same way you'd think about any other entertainment spend — a ticket to a gig, a night out, a sports subscription. Once it's gone, it's gone. Breaking your total budget down by week or by round can help you pace yourself and make sure you've still got something to bet with when the knockout stages arrive.
Never Chase Your Losses
Chasing losses is one of the most common ways recreational betting stops being enjoyable and starts becoming a problem. If your bets aren't landing, the instinct can be to place a bigger bet to win it back quickly. That instinct is worth ignoring. No bet is ever a certainty, and increasing your stakes when you're on a losing run is more likely to make things worse than better.
If things aren't going your way, the best thing to do is step back, stick to your budget, and come back fresh for the next set of fixtures. The World Cup is a long tournament — there's always another game around the corner.
Use the Safer Gambling Tools Available to You
Every UK-licensed bookmaker is required by law to offer free tools to help you manage your betting. These are available in the responsible gambling or safer gambling section of your account and include:
- Deposit limits - cap how much money you can add to your account daily, weekly or monthly
- Loss limits - set a maximum amount you're willing to lose over a given period
- Session time limits - receive reminders or automatic logouts after a set amount of time
- Cooling-off periods - temporarily restrict your account for a set number of days if you need a break
- Self-exclusion - close your account for a longer period if you feel you need more significant time away
These tools are there to be used. Setting deposit or loss limits at the start of the tournament is a straightforward way to make sure your betting stays within the budget you've set for yourself, without having to rely on willpower alone.
Know the Signs That Gambling Might Be a Problem
For most people, betting on football is a harmless bit of fun. But it's worth knowing the signs that gambling might be becoming a problem, for yourself or someone you know. These can include betting more than you can afford to lose, finding it hard to stop once you've started, gambling to escape stress or difficult feelings, hiding your gambling from friends or family, or feeling anxious or irritable when you're not able to bet.
If any of those sound familiar, it's worth reaching out for support sooner rather than later. Problem gambling is more common than many people realise, and help is available.
Where to Get Help
If you're concerned about your own gambling or that of someone close to you, free and confidential support is available through the following organisations:
- BeGambleAware - free information, advice and a 24-hour National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133
- GamCare - free counselling, support and a helpline for anyone affected by gambling harm, including family and friends
- GamStop - free self-exclusion scheme that restricts your online gambling across all UK-licensed operators in one step
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly.
