The group stage of the 2026 World Cup is nearing its end. Saturday brings the final matches of group play with Groups J, K and L finishing and completing the knockout stage bracket.England is still trying to win its group while Colombia and Portugal face off with first place in Group K on the line. Plus, Argentina is back in action, but with nothing to play for.Here’s a look at what is at stake for each of the 12 teams playing on Saturday. If you’re placing bets or in a pick ’em pool, this is your guide on how the teams are likely to play given the scenarios they face. Advancement percentages are from The Athletic’s World Cup predictor.Group LPanama-EnglandStandings: England (4 points, 1st), Panama (0 points, 4th)Time: 5 p.m. ETTV: Fox (English), Telemundo (Spanish)Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.England scenarios: Could win group with a win or draw, has already advancedPanama scenarios: Has already been eliminatedEngland didn’t do much of anything in a 0-0 draw with Ghana last time out, but that can be forgiven and forgotten if the Three Lions take care of business against Panama and win the group.Panama has nothing to play for other than pride, but Haiti and Turkey showed that pride alone can be enough to deliver a good performance. Los Canaleros have lost all five World Cup games in the team’s history, just like Haiti before its match with Morocco. Haiti led twice in an entertaining 4-2 loss.England is the biggest favorite of the day, and that makes sense, but don’t expect Panama to just lie down. A result against England would be one of the best achievements in the national team’s history.Croatia-GhanaStandings: Ghana (4 points, 2nd), Croatia (3 points, 3rd)Time: 5 p.m. ETTV: FS1 (English), Universo (Spanish)Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, PhiladelphiaGhana scenarios: Could win group with a better result than England, has already advancedCroatia scenarios: Advances with a win or draw, unlikely to advance with a loss (26%)Like Australia-Paraguay on Thursday (a dull 0-0 draw), this game could be lifeless if both teams are happy with a draw. The difference is that Ghana, unlike Paraguay and Australia, enters its final group match with four points already, has already clinched a spot in the next round and therefore has less to lose. The Black Stars could still win the group.Second place seems to be only a small difference from third place. While a third-place finisher will take on a group winner, the Group L runner-up takes on whichever team finishes second in Group K between Colombia and Portugal. Facing one of those teams hardly feels like a reward.Croatia is favored, but Ghana could play similarly to how it did against England to come out of that with a 0-0 draw.Group KColombia-PortugalStandings: Colombia (6 points, 1st), Portugal (4 points, 2nd)Time: 7:30 p.m. ETTV: Fox (English), Telemundo (Spanish)
World Cup odds, best bets for Saturday’s matches with England, Argentina concluding group play
Another big World Cup slate featuring power teams is on deck. Will England bounce back in a strong way? Or will we see another let down?












