England coach Tuchel makes brave choices for tough group

England will always be among the favorites before a FIFA World Cup starts despite its dreadful record when it comes to big games against top opponents. Group L promises to be difficult with a technically gifted Croatia that always over-performs at major tournaments, while Ghana has top-level talent and Panama has forged its own image and style of play, reported Xinhua.

ENGLAND

The team:

Group L looks to be one of the toughest in the competition, so Thomas Tuchel's side will have to perform from the start if it wants to live up to the billing as one of the favorites.

Tuchel made some brave calls in his squad selection, leaving out players such as Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Harry Maguire.

England has long been handicapped by coaches trying to fit in big-name players by playing them out of position, but Tuchel won't do so, and a perfect qualifying record implies he has found the correct formula.

He can count on the talent and experience of Harry Kane in attack, with Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham all set to play important roles.

Jordan Pickford is a guarantee in goal and if England does have a weakness, it could be a lack of experience in defense, with players such as Nico O'Reilly, Tino Livramento and Jarell Quansah lacking big tournament experience.

Star player:

All-time record goalscorer, captain and leader, there is no doubt Kane remains England's star player with the 32-year-old taking his game to new levels since joining Bayern Munich in 2023.

Kane had a slightly low-key European Championship two years ago as he struggled with a back injury, but will lead the line this summer and that guarantees goals.

Player to watch:

It has been a breakout season for Manchester City left-back O'Reilly, who forced his way into the international set-up.

A tall, fast player who loves to get forward, there may be doubts about his defensive quality and lack of international experience, but O'Reilly could be a key player this summer.

CROATIA

The team:

Croatia, the 2018 finalist and third-placed finisher in 2022, will again look to surprise everyone at this summer's tournament.

Croatia breezed through its qualifying group with seven wins and a draw, scoring 26 goals and conceding just four.

There are plenty of familiar faces in the Croatia squad, with Andrej Kramaric, who scored six goals in qualification, still leading the attack and Ivan Perisic in support along with 34-year-old Ante Budimir, who ended the season with 17 goals in La Liga.

Croatia is also very solid in defense, although coach Zlatko Dalic will be keeping his fingers crossed that Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol is fully fit.

Star player:

Luka Modric, 40, will lace up his boots once again to help carry Croatian hopes on his shoulders.

Although the veteran isn't likely to play 90 minutes in many matches, his contributions will be vital and his vision and talent to find the right pass haven't dimmed with the years.

Player to watch:

While Qatar 2022 saw Gvardiol burst onto the spotlight and seal his move to Manchester City, this could be the moment for Luka Vuskovic to do the same.

The 19-year-old central defender has been outstanding for Hamburger SV on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

Strong, quick and dangerous from set pieces, Vuskovic will be a breath of fresh air in a very experienced squad.

GHANA

Ghana's preparation for the World Cup was thrown into chaos when long-standing coach Otto Addo was sacked just over two months before the tournament starts, but the decision to bring in the experienced Carlos Queiroz could bring calm back to a squad that has no shortage of talent.

Any squad with players such as Inaki Williams, Ernest Nuamah and Antoine Semenyo is going to be hard to handle going forward, although the loss of Mohammed Kudus with a thigh injury is a blow to the Black Stars' hopes.

Star player:

Semenyo completed a big-money move from Bournemouth to Manchester City in January and has lived up to the billing, with his pace and skill on the ball, combined with an ability to cut in from the wing and also score vital goals.

His season ended on a high note with the winning goal in the FA Cup final, and he will hope to take that a step further on the international stage.

Player to watch:

It has not been an easy season for Leicester City in the English Championship, but winger Fatawu Issahaku was one of the standout players. A player with pace, confidence and a wicked left foot, his shooting and passing ability could make a difference.

PANAMA

Former Barcelona forward Thomas Christiansen led Panama to a comfortable qualification for the World Cup, and although his task was made easier by the fact that regional powerhouses Mexico, Canada and the United States qualified automatically as host nations, he was able to give his team an identity that could serve it well this summer.

Panama won seven games and drew three, remaining unbeaten and conceding just five goals as Christiansen has been given time to build a team under his image.

Panama's style of play can leave it open down the flanks, and Christiansen may adopt a more cautious approach in a powerful group to avoid a repeat of the 6-1 loss to England in 2018.

Star player:

Playing in Mexico with Pumas, midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla will be vital to Panama as the man who sits in front of the defense and looks to control his side's play in both defense and attack.

Player to watch:

After Christiansen made a surprising decision to leave 18-year-old Kadir Barria out of his squad, perhaps more focus will turn to veteran midfielder Anibal Godoy.

Godoy has played a record 159 times for his country and his experience alongside Carrasquilla will be vital when things get tough.