World Cup 2026 Group L Preview — Odds, Predictions & Top Tips

Based on available reporting ahead of the tournament, Group L is expected to feature a blend of UEFA qualifiers and at least one side from the AFC or CONCACAF region, reflecting the expanded global format. Because FIFA's final group draw assignments for all 48 teams span 12 groups, Group L sits among the later-alphabet pools that frequently include strong mid-tier European nations alongside a competitive representative from another confederation.

Croatia are among the sides attracting significant pre-tournament attention in the latter groups. According to ESPN FC, Croatia have continued to punch above their weight at consecutive World Cups — finishing runners-up in 2018 and third place in 2022 — and despite questions about an ageing squad, they remain a credible threat to top their group. Their track record of tournament football, built around disciplined defensive structure and moments of midfield brilliance, makes them a team bookmakers will likely price as group favourites should they land in Group L.

Tunisia are another side whose Group L trajectory will be shaped by off-pitch drama as much as on-pitch performance. ESPN FC reported that Tunisia manager Sabri Lamouchi was sacked during the World Cup campaign and replaced by Hervé Renard — a coach with proven major-tournament pedigree, having led both Morocco and Saudi Arabia to landmark results in previous editions. A mid-tournament managerial change introduces volatility bettors should factor into any wager on Tunisia's later group matches.

Jordan round out the sides drawing coverage ahead of their group stage campaign. BBC Football noted that Jordan's journey — from Harry Redknapp's early influence to a potential date with one of the world's elite sides — represents a genuine fairytale arc. Their final group match may feel, to their players and supporters, like a World Cup final in itself, and that emotional intensity can translate into committed, difficult-to-break-down performances that upset pre-match predictions.

No confirmed live odds have been published for Group L at the time of writing, so all pricing references below are directional and based on typical tournament pricing patterns for teams of these profiles. Check GojiCasino's World Cup odds page for the most current lines once markets open.

In a group containing Croatia, you would generally expect the following broad pricing tiers based on historical tournament performance:

• Croatia (Group Winners): Expected to be priced as outright group favourites given back-to-back deep runs. Likely to attract short prices to qualify from the group.
• Second qualifier: The second automatic knockout berth is where the real betting value typically lies — a competitive nation entering the tournament with lower public profile but genuine quality can offer stronger returns.
• Tunisia: The managerial upheaval introduces a wildcard element. Renard's arrival could stabilise or transform their performances, making tunnel-vision pricing on pre-tournament lines risky.
• Jordan: Expected to be priced as group outsiders, but their underdog status and high motivation levels mean correct score and both-teams-to-score markets could offer angles that outright qualification odds do not.

Markets are expected to include match winner (1X2), Asian handicap, both teams to score, total goals over/under, and correct score for each fixture. Bettors interested in group-level futures — such as group winner or to qualify — should monitor GojiCasino's sportsbook for competitive outright pricing as the tournament progresses.

Croatia's recurring World Cup miracle act is the central narrative any Group L bettor should understand. ESPN FC highlighted that the question hanging over this squad is whether an ageing generation — many of whom have been together through the golden run since 2018 — can produce one more extraordinary tournament performance. The risk for bettors backing Croatia at short prices is that squad depth and physical freshness could be genuine concerns, particularly if key players are carrying workload after long domestic seasons.

ESPN FC also flagged fatigue as a key issue for England heading into the 2026 World Cup — a relevant reference point because the physical demands of the Premier League calendar affect multiple Group L candidates and their qualifying sides. Bettors should consider that early group games, played in North American summer heat and humidity, may produce lower-scoring, cagey encounters as players conserve energy.

Tunisia's situation is genuinely unusual. A coaching change mid-tournament is rare enough that it functions almost as a reset button — Renard will look to impose his preferred defensive organisation quickly, which historically means Tunisia could be harder to break down in later group fixtures than they appeared in earlier ones. This is worth noting for anyone pricing goals markets on Tunisia's second or third group game.

Jordan's campaign represents the aspirational end of World Cup football. BBC Football described their potential clash with a world-class opponent as their own version of a final — and teams that approach matches with that mindset have historically produced results (or at least performances) that defy their pre-match odds. Against Jordan, low-scoring draws and set-piece goals may be the most realistic outcomes to price rather than high-goal open games.

Drawing together the available pre-tournament intelligence, here are the angles worth considering before committing any stake on Group L fixtures. These are starting points for your own research — confirm all lines via the full World Cup betting guide before placing any wager.

• Croatia to qualify, not necessarily to win the group: Their pedigree almost guarantees a top-two finish, but pricing them specifically as group winners may offer poor value. Consider backing them to qualify at potentially shorter odds while exploring other markets for return.
• Tunisia matches — under 2.5 goals: With Renard now in charge and his typical defensive-first philosophy, Tunisia fixtures may be tighter and lower-scoring than pre-tournament lines suggest. Monitor this angle once team news is confirmed.
• Jordan to score in at least one group game: Teams that enter tournaments with nothing to lose and a passionate diaspora support base — Senegal coach Pape Thiaw made a similar appeal to his community ahead of their France fixture — tend to produce at least one notable performance. Jordan scoring in their best match is worth exploring in both-teams-to-score or first-goal markets.
• Group outsider to finish third and potentially qualify: With the 48-team format allowing the best third-placed teams to advance, backing a motivated outsider to earn a third-place slot at competitive odds is a legitimate strategy across multiple groups, including Group L.
• Wait for team news: Injuries, suspensions, and tactical rotation — especially for sides with busy domestic finishes — can shift correct score and goal lines significantly. Placing wagers after confirmed line-ups are released reduces exposure to late surprises.

If you are new to World Cup betting, GojiCasino is offering a 5 EUR free bet for new members valid exclusively on World Cup 2026 match wagers — a low-risk way to explore Group L markets without committing your own funds from the first bet.

GojiCasino holds an Anjouan gaming licence, meaning player funds are protected under a regulated framework. The sportsbook covers major international football tournaments with competitive odds, in-play betting functionality, and a cash-out option so you can lock in returns before a match concludes — useful in volatile group stage games where momentum shifts quickly.

The platform is fully optimised for mobile with no app download required, so you can follow Group L matches and place live bets directly from your phone. Once registered, payment options include credit and debit cards, Interac, PayID, Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and USDC — all managed through the payments section of your account. Crypto withdrawals typically process in minutes, while Interac and PayID withdrawals are usually same-day.

For Group L specifically, the recommended workflow is: review pre-match odds on the World Cup odds page, cross-reference team news on the day of each fixture, and use the live betting interface to react to early match dynamics if you prefer in-play angles over pre-match pricing.