England vs Croatia, 2026 FIFA World Cup – Preview, Prediction, Head to Head, Predicted Lineups, Team Squads and More

England and Croatia face off at Dallas Stadium in Arlington in their opening group-stage fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reigniting a rivalry that has played a significant role in both nations’ modern tournament history.

Thomas Tuchel’s England arrive in Texas carrying positive momentum from their preparations. Consecutive friendly victories against Costa Rica and New Zealand have lifted confidence, while the squad brings considerable attacking depth into the tournament.

Jude Bellingham continues to be at the centre of England’s creative plans, with Jordan Henderson among those supporting the Real Madrid midfielder to provide the decisive spark that could shape the competition. Harry Kane captains the side from the front, and Croatia defender Duje Caleta-Car has already praised the striker’s intelligence, describing him as one of the toughest forwards in world football to defend against.

Croatia, managed by Zlatko Dalic, are well accustomed to deep tournament runs. Luka Modric, participating in his fifth World Cup and now representing AC Milan at club level, has set the tone before kickoff by insisting Croatia fear no opponent. His influence in midfield remains crucial to everything Dalic’s team seeks to achieve.

Away from the field, Josko Gvardiol has reportedly committed his future to Manchester City by agreeing a new long-term contract, ending uncertainty surrounding his next move. That stability could benefit a player expected to be a key figure in Croatia’s defensive structure throughout the competition.

The Group L standings currently place Croatia above England, adding further significance to this opening encounter. A positive result could have a major impact on the direction of both nations’ campaigns.

Here is everything you need to know about watching England vs Croatia, including TV coverage and live streaming details.

England vs Croatia, 2026 FIFA World Cup – Match Preview

England Preview

England enter the tournament with a high FIFA ranking, an abundance of attacking talent and a manager tasked with transforming quality into tournament success. Thomas Tuchel can build his side around Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and a versatile defensive unit. The challenge is not talent, but achieving the correct balance.

Bellingham possesses the ability to influence the match if he finds space between Croatia’s midfield and defensive lines. Kane offers both a focal point in the box and a creative outlet through his passing, while Saka and Foden can provide width and stretch the opposition. England must still remain cautious defensively, as Croatia can punish rushed attacks through composed possession play.

England come into the fixture ranked fourth in the FIFA standings. The projected lineup uses a 4-2-3-1 system, though this should not be viewed as a confirmed starting eleven. Any late injury or suspension developments remain subject to official matchday confirmation.

Thomas Tuchel has made several major decisions with his World Cup squad selection. High-profile names including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Adam Wharton, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden have been omitted by the German manager.

Although Tuchel’s tenure initially started in disappointing fashion last year, he found momentum during the autumn. A standout moment was the emphatic 5-0 victory over Serbia in Belgrade as England qualified with a perfect record and without conceding, despite occasionally lacking fluency in attack and facing relatively modest opposition.

England’s preparation matches saw them narrowly overcome New Zealand in a low-profile contest before producing a much more convincing display in a 3-0 victory against Costa Rica.

Croatia Preview

Croatia continue to possess the characteristics of a seasoned tournament team. Zlatko Dalic can rely on Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic, Josko Gvardiol, Andrej Kramaric and Ivan Perisic to guide the team through difficult moments. Their most effective approach may be to slow the tempo, retain possession and turn the contest into a tactical battle rather than an open affair.

The midfield contest is likely to define the opening stages. If Modric and Kovacic can bypass England’s press, Croatia may be able to dictate the rhythm and limit England’s ability to create sustained pressure. Conversely, if England recover possession high up the pitch, Croatia could find themselves defending deeper than intended.

Croatia enter the match ranked 11th in the FIFA standings. Current projections suggest a 4-3-3 formation, though the final lineup will not be confirmed until the official team sheet is released. Supporters should monitor updates prior to kickoff as selections can change.

Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia side maintain a familiar look as they head into another FIFA World Cup led by 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric. They remain among the most difficult international teams to overcome.

They comfortably secured qualification ahead of Czechia during the autumn before opening 2026 with an encouraging 2-1 victory over Colombia, followed by a 3-1 defeat against five-time world champions Brazil.

Croatia arrive at the tournament after losing 2-0 to Belgium in their first pre-tournament friendly before edging Slovenia 2-1 in their final warm-up match.

England vs Croatia, 2026 FIFA World Cup – Team News

Tino Livramento has been ruled out of the competition due to a muscle injury and will be replaced by Trevoh Chalobah.

However, the Chelsea defender will not link up with the squad until after this fixture, while Reece James is expected to start the opening match.

Tuchel faces a key decision in the No. 10 role, where Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers are competing for a starting place.

He must also select two from Marc Guehi, John Stones and Ezri Konsa to form his central defensive partnership.

Bukayo Saka has confirmed he is fit enough to start on the right wing despite ongoing management of a lingering Achilles problem.

Croatia possess extensive experience through players such as 40-year-old captain Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Ivan Perisic, along with Premier League talents including Josko Gvardiol and Tottenham’s highly rated teenage defender Luka Vuskovic.

Head coach Zlatko Dalic also faces a selection dilemma in attack, where FC Dallas striker Petar Musa could be preferred to former Leicester City forward Andrej Kramaric, who has earned 116 caps.

England Team News

England’s projected lineup features Jordan Pickford in goal behind Reece James, John Stones, Marc Guehi and Myles Lewis-Skelly. The official starting XI remains subject to confirmation, but current projections align with the expected matchday setup.

Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo are expected to form the midfield foundation, while Saka, Bellingham, Foden and Kane make up the attacking unit. Tuchel also has options including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Eberechi Eze, Ollie Watkins and Levi Colwill should tactical adjustments become necessary.

Reports leading up to the match suggest Thomas Tuchel has made a significant defensive decision, with John Stones expected to partner Ezri Konsa ahead of Marc Guehi, while Jude Bellingham appears set to start ahead of Morgan Rogers.

Given that Bukayo Saka has been following an individual training programme to improve his fitness, it seems likely that the same team that started against Costa Rica will take the field against Croatia. Tino Livramento’s late withdrawal has resulted in Trevoh Chalobah being added to the squad.

Livramento suffered a calf injury during a recent training session, forcing his withdrawal from the squad. Tuchel responded by calling up Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah to strengthen defensive cover. Manchester City youngster Nico O’Reilly is expected to be handed a surprise role at left-back.

Jude Bellingham is likely to occupy the number 10 position ahead of Morgan Rogers in support of Harry Kane. Noni Madueke could feature on the right flank if Bukayo Saka fails a late fitness assessment, while Anthony Gordon appears set to start on the left ahead of Marcus Rashford.

Croatia Team News

Croatia’s projected lineup sees Dominik Livakovic start in goal. Josip Juranovic, Josip Sutalo, Gvardiol and Borna Sosa currently make up the expected defensive line. Official team sheets will provide final confirmation closer to kickoff.

Brozovic, Modric and Kovacic are projected to form the midfield trio. Mario Pasalic, Perisic and Kramaric make up the expected attacking line. Dalic also has alternatives such as Josip Stanisic, Lovro Majer, Nikola Vlasic, Luka Sucic, Marco Pasalic and Ante Budimir if tactical changes are required.

Zlatko Dalic has spoken about concerns regarding the fitness of key figures Josko Gvardiol, Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic. Manchester City teammates Gvardiol and Kovacic have battled injuries throughout the season, while Modric missed much of the campaign’s closing stages through injury. However, all three now appear fully fit.

Despite previous fitness concerns, the experienced trio are still expected to start alongside other established internationals such as Dominik Livakovic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir and Ivan Perisic.

Dalic has the benefit of a fully available squad after several important players recovered from recent injury issues. Luka Modric is ready to start after making a full recovery from a cheekbone fracture sustained in April. Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic have also overcome knocks picked up during their club campaigns.

Duje Caleta-Car has resumed training after recovering from a back problem, giving Croatia additional defensive options. In attack, Petar Musa could be selected ahead of veteran striker Andrej Kramaric. Teenage defender Luka Vuskovic may join Josip Sutalo and Gvardiol in a three-man defence.

England vs Croatia, 2026 FIFA World Cup – Head to Head (h2h)

England and Croatia have met 11 times at senior international level before this fixture. England’s 1-0 victory over Croatia at the 2021 European Championship remains the most recent major tournament encounter, while this Group L clash marks their first World Cup group-stage meeting.

The previous World Cup meeting between the nations produced one of the tournament’s most memorable contests, with Croatia recovering from behind to secure a 2-1 extra-time victory in the 2018 semi-final.

Kieran Trippier handed England an early advantage, but goals from Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic ultimately sent Croatia into their first World Cup final.

Wednesday’s match represents the fourth major tournament clash between the two sides during the 21st century. They have met once at the World Cup, which Croatia won in 2018, and twice at the European Championship, both of which were won by England.

The latest encounter came during Euro 2020 when England secured a 1-0 group-stage victory at Wembley on June 13, 2021. Across the last five meetings, England have recorded three wins, Croatia one victory and there has been one draw. England’s most dominant result remains their 5-1 qualifying victory in September 2009, while Croatia’s standout success remains the 2-1 World Cup semi-final triumph in 2018.

England vs Croatia, 2026 FIFA World Cup – Kickoff Time, How to Watch

In the United Kingdom, England vs Croatia begins at 9pm BST and will be broadcast on STV, STV Player, ITV1 and ITVX.

For viewers in Croatia, kickoff is scheduled for 10pm and coverage will be available on HRT.

Fans in the United States can watch via FOX One, Telemundo App, Telemundo Network, FOX and Peacock.

Telecast Details

India: Unite8 Sports Channels, ZEE5,
UK: BBC & ITV
USA: FOX Sports
Nigeria: DStv, GOtv

England vs Croatia, 2026 FIFA World Cup – Team Squads

England Team Squad

Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, John Stones, Marc Guéhi, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn, Reece James, Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke, Ivan Toney.

England World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)

Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), John Stones (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, on loan from Manchester United), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)

Croatia Team Squad

Dominik Livakovic, Ivor Pandur, Dominik Kotarski, Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Sutalo, Luka Vuskovic, Martin Erlic, Nikola Moro, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Nikola Vlasic, Mario Pasalic, Martin Baturina, Petar Sucic, Kristijan Jakic, Toni Fruk, Luka Sucic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir, Ivan Perisic, Igor Matanovic, Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa.

Croatia World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livaković (Dinamo), Dominik Kotarski (Copenhagen), Ivor Pandur (Hull City)

Defenders: Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Ćaleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Šutalo (Ajax), Josip Stanišić (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongračić (Fiorentina), Martin Erlić (Midtjylland), Luka Vušković (Hamburger SV)

Midfielders: Luka Modrić (Milan), Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta), Nikola Vlašić (Torino), Luka Sučić (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakić (Augsburg), Petar Sučić (Inter), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka)

Forwards: Ivan Perišić (PSV Eindhoven), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pašalić (Orlando City), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Igor Matanović (Freiburg)

England vs Croatia, 2026 FIFA World Cup – Predicted Lineups

England Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Konsa, Stones, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

Croatia Predicted XI (4-3-3): Livakovic; Pongracic, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol, Stanisic; Kovacic, Modric, Mari. Pasalic; Kramaric, Budimir, Perisic

England vs Croatia, 2026 FIFA World Cup – Prediction

England and Croatia head into Wednesday’s clash at AT&T Stadium knowing that victory would place them in a strong position to finish top of Group L, while defeat could leave either side facing the possibility of finishing as low as third. As a result, a tightly contested encounter appears likely, particularly in the opening stages.

However, the difference in squad depth may become evident once substitutions begin to influence the game. England’s strength from the bench could help inspire them to a crucial victory, with Harry Kane expected to make the decisive contribution and Marcus Rashford potentially impacting the contest as a substitute.

For the second time in the last three major tournaments, England begin their campaign against Croatia, one of their most significant football rivals of the modern era.

Memories of Mario Mandzukic’s extra-time winner in Moscow, which denied England a place in their first World Cup final since 1966, will inevitably resurface. So too will recollections of Steve McClaren standing beneath an umbrella at Wembley as Scott Carson’s mistake contributed to England missing out on Euro 2008 qualification.

Croatia remain a formidable World Cup force and also secured third place in Qatar four years ago, although they exited during the group stage at Euro 2024.

England’s victory over Croatia at Euro 2020 may have helped remove some of the psychological burden associated with this fixture.

The match may not be particularly attractive, as England’s tournament openers rarely are, but England are favoured to edge a tense and closely fought contest thanks to a likely Harry Kane goal.

Croatia have frustrated England on numerous occasions, with the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final arriving just over a decade after the Croatians denied England qualification for UEFA EURO 2008. Tuchel faces considerable pressure because, after the progress achieved under Gareth Southgate, only lifting the trophy this summer will likely be viewed as success for the UEFA EURO 2020 and UEFA EURO 2024 runners-up.

England enter as slight favourites, though Tuchel’s tactical style, the Texas heat and Croatia’s resilience suggest a narrow scoreline is likely.

Croatia’s recent World Cup record has been exceptional, securing medals in consecutive tournaments. Nevertheless, England possess a squad packed with elite talent and are led by a coach with a proven history of winning trophies.