World Cup Preview: Group L
England
FIFA Ranking: 4
Current Ligue 1 McDonald’s players:
Despite the Premier League's global stature, England arrive at the World Cup with no players from Ligue 1 McDonald's. Olympique de Marseille loanee Ethan Nwaneri was called up for Thomas Tuchel's preparation camp before the tournament.
Tournament outlook:
Sixty years on from their only World Cup triumph, England once again arrive burdened by expectation. Thomas Tuchel has inherited a squad overflowing with talent, led by Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, and there is a growing sense that anything less than a place in the latter stages would be a disappointment. Croatia and Ghana should provide stern tests in Group L, but the Three Lions have the quality to top the section and harbour genuine ambitions of ending decades of hurt in North America.
Ligue 1 legend: Chris Waddle – Olympique de Marseille
Long before David Beckham and Jude Bellingham became global icons, Chris Waddle was lighting up French football with Olympique de Marseille. Signed in 1989, the winger became a fan favourite at the Stade Vélodrome, helping OM win three consecutive Division 1 titles and reach the 1991 European Cup final. Blessed with exceptional dribbling ability and creativity, Waddle made over 140 appearances for the club and was named France Football’s Foreign Player of the Year in 1991. His success in Marseille cemented his place as one of the greatest English exports to ever grace Ligue 1.
Croatia
FIFA Ranking: 11
Current Ligue 1 McDonald’s players:
Croatia arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup without any current representatives in Ligue 1 McDonald’s. The Vatreni’s squad is instead built around stars from Spain, Italy and Germany, with veterans Luka Modrić and Ivan Perišić joined by the likes of Joško Gvardiol and Martin Baturina. While French football has played a role in Croatia’s recent history through players such as Danijel Subašić and Lovro Majer, there is no active Ligue 1 presence in Zlatko Dalić’s squad this summer.
Tournament outlook:
Never write off Croatia at a major tournament. Finalists in 2018 and third-place finishers four years later, the Vatreni have consistently punched above their weight under Zlatko Dalić and arrive with another talented squad despite an ageing core. Luka Modrić may be entering his final World Cup at 40 years old, but alongside Joško Gvardiol, Martin Baturina and Petar Sučić, Croatia possess enough quality to challenge anyone. Drawn alongside England, Ghana and Panama, progression to the knockout stages is the minimum expectation, and few sides will relish facing them once they get there.
Ligue 1 legend: Danijel Subašić – AS Monaco
Few Croatian players have left a greater mark on Ligue 1 McDonald’s than Danijel Subašić. The goalkeeper spent eight seasons at AS Monaco, making more than 290 appearances and playing a pivotal role in the club’s unforgettable 2016-17 title-winning campaign under Leonardo Jardim. His assured performances also helped Monaco reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals that same season, while his exploits for Croatia at the 2018 World Cup – including four penalty saves across the knockout rounds – cemented his place among his nation’s greatest-ever players. Calm, reliable and fiercely competitive, Subašić remains the benchmark for Croatian success in French football.
Ghana
FIFA Ranking: 71
Current Ligue 1 McDonald’s players:
Few nations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup can match Ghana’s impressive contingent of Ligue 1 McDonald’s talent. AJ Auxerre contribute no fewer than three players in Elisha Owusu, Gideon Mensah and Marvin Senaya, while Stade Rennais defender Alidu Seidu and OGC Nice youngster Kojo Peprah Oppong add further depth at the back. In midfield, Augustine Boakye represents AS Saint-Étienne, and Olympique Lyonnais winger Ernest Nuamah arrives as one of the Black Stars’ most exciting attacking weapons. The French top flight has long been a fertile breeding ground for Ghanaian internationals, and Carlos Queiroz’s squad is packed with players who know Ligue 1 inside out.
Tournament outlook:
Despite entering the tournament as outsiders behind England and Croatia, Ghana possess enough quality to spring a surprise. The attacking trio of Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus and Ernest Nuamah offers pace and flair, while the experienced Carlos Queiroz has built his reputation on organising disciplined, difficult-to-beat teams. If the Black Stars can take maximum points against Panama and nick a result against one of the European heavyweights, a place in the knockout stages is well within reach. Given Ghana’s history of upsetting the odds at World Cups, few opponents will relish facing them.
Ligue 1 legend: André Ayew – Olympique de Marseille
No Ghanaian has left a greater mark on Ligue 1 McDonald’s than André Ayew. A product of Olympique de Marseille’s academy, the winger made more than 200 appearances for Les Phocéens, scoring 60 goals and playing a pivotal role in their 2009-10 Ligue 1 title-winning campaign under Didier Deschamps. Combining relentless energy with technical quality and a knack for decisive moments, Ayew became a fan favourite at the Stade Vélodrome before embarking on a successful career in England, Qatar and beyond. Alongside his century of international caps for Ghana, his achievements in Marseille make him the country's undisputed Ligue 1 icon.
Panama
FIFA Ranking: 34
Current Ligue 1 McDonald’s players:
Panama arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup without any current representatives in Ligue 1 McDonald’s. However, there is a recent French connection through defender Michael Amir Murillo, who spent two-and-a-half seasons with Olympique de Marseille before joining Beşiktaş in the winter transfer window. A key member of Thomas Christiansen’s squad, Murillo remains one of Panama’s most accomplished exports in European football and will once again marshal the back line alongside the experienced Fidel Escobar and José Córdoba.
Tournament outlook:
Drawn alongside England, Croatia and Ghana, Panama face one of the toughest assignments in the competition. Yet after gaining valuable experience from their debut appearance in 2018, the Canaleros arrive as a far more mature outfit under Thomas Christiansen. Midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla remains the creative heartbeat of the side, while Murillo's leadership and defensive quality provide stability at the back. Progression would require a major upset, but Panama have developed into one of CONCACAF’s most organised teams and will believe they can make life difficult for every opponent they face.
Ligue 1 legend: Michael Amir Murillo – Olympique de Marseille
Given Panama’s limited history in French football, Michael Amir Murillo stands comfortably as the nation’s most significant Ligue 1 representative. Joining Olympique de Marseille in 2023, the marauding right-back quickly established himself as a fan favourite thanks to his relentless energy, attacking intent and defensive resilience, making more than 60 appearances for Les Phocéens before his move to Beşiktaş in early 2026. While his spell in France was relatively brief, Murillo’s impact at the Vélodrome and his status as one of Panama’s finest-ever footballers make him the obvious choice as the country’s Ligue 1 legend.
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