England’s 2026 World Cup campaigns rarely begin quietly, and their opening match against Croatia looks unlikely to be any different.
The Three Lions head into the tournament among the favourites, but England fans have heard that before. Every World Cup starts with excitement, optimism and talk of bringing football home. What happens next is usually far less predictable.
Croatia know a thing or two about spoiling England’s plans. They have frustrated and upset the Three Lions on some of football’s biggest stages, and they will relish the chance to do it again.
The good news for England is that they arrive in the United States with one of the strongest squads in the competition. The challenge now is turning potential into points.
A fast start would ease the pressure and set the tone for the rest of the group stage. Croatia, meanwhile, will be looking to remind everyone why they remain one of the toughest opponents in international football.
How to watch England vs Croatia
England vs Croatia kicks off at 21:00 BST on Wednesday, June 17, at the Dallas Stadium.
The match will be shown live in the UK on ITV1 and STV. Fans can also stream the game via ITVX and STV Player.
In the United States, the game will be shown on FOX or FS1, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo or Universo and streaming via Peacock.
In Canada, World Cup coverage is available on TSN and RDS, with select matches also broadcast on CTV. Streaming is available via TSN, RDS, CTV and Crave.
England team news
England have plenty of quality to choose from, but the main concern heading into this match surrounds Bukayo Saka.
The Arsenal winger has been dealing with fitness concerns, and England will be hoping he is ready to play some part against Croatia.
If Saka isn’t deemed ready to start, England are expected to line up with the same starting XI that faced Costa Rica in their final warm-up game. That would suggest the manager is happy with the shape and does not want to start experimenting now.
Probably wise. The opening game of a World Cup is not the best time to start acting like you have found a secret tactic on Football Manager.
England expected XI:
Pickford – James, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly – Rice, Anderson – Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon – Kane.
Croatia team news
Croatia may not have the same fear factor they once did, but nobody should be fooled into thinking this is an easy start for England.
This is still a team full of experience, intelligence and players who know exactly how to manage big tournament matches.
Croatia do not always blow teams away, but they are very good at dragging opponents into the kind of game they do not really want to play.
Luka Modric remains the headline name, even if he is now closer to the end of his career than the start. He still has the touch, vision and calmness to control the tempo when given time on the ball.
England will not want him strolling around midfield dictating the game.
Croatia’s best route to a result may be keeping the game tight, slowing England down and waiting for moments of frustration. That has worked against England before, and Croatian fans will not need reminding of that.
Croatia expected XI:
Livakovic – Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol – Stanisic, Modric, Kovacic, Perisic – Sucic, Baturina – Musa.
England vs Croatia stats
- England and Croatia have met several times at major tournaments, with Croatia famously knocking the Three Lions out of the 2018 World Cup in the semi-finals.
- This will be England’s eighth consecutive appearance at a World Cup tournament.
- England have progressed from the group stage in each of their last seven World Cup appearances.
- The Three Lions reached the semi-finals in 2018 and the quarter-finals in 2022.
- England have lost just one of their last 13 World Cup group-stage matches.
- Harry Kane has scored 13 goals across his last 15 appearances for England in major tournaments.
- Croatia have reached the knockout stages in three of their last four World Cup appearances.
- The Croatians finished as runners-up in 2018 and reached the semi-finals again in 2022.
- Croatia have lost only two of their last 12 competitive international matches.
- Four of Croatia’s last six competitive matches have produced under 2.5 goals.
- Croatia have kept clean sheets in three of their last five competitive internationals.
England vs Croatia prediction
This feels like a tougher opening game for England than many people are giving it credit for.
The Three Lions have the better squad. There is no real debate there. When you look through the attacking options available to England, most nations would happily swap places in a heartbeat.
The problem is that Croatia always seem to have England’s number.
They are one of those teams that can turn a football match into an exercise in patience.
They keep the ball well, slow the tempo down and wait for opponents to become frustrated. England have fallen into that trap before and will be desperate to avoid doing so again.
I expect England to see more of the ball and create the better chances. Jude Bellingham will need to take another step forward on the biggest stage, while Harry Kane remains the player Croatia will fear most around the penalty area.
The question is whether England can get an early goal.
If they do, the game could open up nicely for them. If not, this may become the sort of contest where every misplaced pass is greeted with groans from England supporters and every Croatia throw-in somehow takes about three working days to be taken – even with the new rules.
Croatia still have enough quality in midfield to cause problems, and Luka Modric remains capable of producing moments that change matches. Even so, England look stronger across the pitch and should have enough to get the job done.
I do not expect a thriller, but I do expect England to make a winning start.
Prediction: England 2-1 Croatia
