England vs Croatia: World Cup 2026 prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds | OneFootball

Three Lions face familiar major tournament foes in Group L curtain-raiser in Dallas

The Three Lions face familiar opposition to kick off Group L as Thomas Tuchel looks to make a winning start in what is on paper their toughest-looking fixture of the group stage, with meetings against Ghana and Panama to come.

Croatia wrecked England’s World Cup dreams in the semi-finals in Russia eight years ago, also famously denying them a place at Euro 2008.

However, Raheem Sterling’s goal in a 1-0 win at Wembley in 2021 helped exorcise some of those demons as England made a winning start en route to the final of the delayed Euro 2020.

England vs Croatia is scheduled for a 9pm BST kick-off on Wednesday June 17, 2026.

The match will take place at Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) in Arlington, Texas - home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.

Where to watch England vs Croatia for FREE

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live and free-to-air on ITV1, with coverage starting at 8pm BST.

Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online through the ITVX app - which is free with a sign-up - or ITV website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from England correspondent Dom Smith at Dallas Stadium.

England vs Croatia team news

Tuchel’s big decision is at No10, where Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers are vying for the same starting berth.

He must also choose two from Marc Guehi, John Stones and Ezri Konsa to line up at centre-back.

Bukayo Saka has declared himself fit to start on the right wing as his minutes continue to be carefully managed as the result of a lingering Achilles issue.

Selection battle: Either Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers will start at No10 for England against Croatia

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England squad

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford

Defenders: Reece James, Tino Livramento, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Jarell Quansah, Nico O'Reilly, Dan Burn, Djed Spence

Midfielder: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze

Forwards: Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon

Croatia boast a huge amount of experience in the likes of 40-year-old captain Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Ivan Perisic, plus other Premier League stars such as Josko Gvardiol and Tottenham’s highly-rated teenage defender Luka Vuskovic.

Head coach Zlatko Dalic has a decision to make up front, where Petar Musa - who plays his club football in Major League Soccer (MLS) with FC Dallas - is potentially in line to start ahead of 116-cap former Leicester man Andrej Kramaric.

Legend: Luka Modric, 40, will be making his World Cup swansong in North America this summer

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Croatia squad

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Dominik Kotarski, Ivor Pandur

Defenders: Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Sutalo, Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Martin Erlic, Luka Vuskovic

Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Luka Sucic, Martin Baturina, Kristijan Jakic, Petar Sucic, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk

Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir, Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa, Igor Matanovic

England vs Croatia prediction

For the second time in the last three major tournaments, England open their campaign against Croatia - one of their biggest rivals of the 21st century so far.

Memories of Mario Mandzukic’s extra-time winner in Moscow to deny them a first World Cup final berth since 1966 will inevitably come flooding back, as will visions of Steve McClaren standing on the touchline under that umbrella in the Wembley rain after Scott Carson’s blunder saw them miss out on Euro 2008 entirely.

Croatia remain a seriously dangerous World Cup proposition, also finishing third in Qatar four years ago, though notably fell in the group stage at Euro 2024.

England’s opening win at Euro 2020 will have gone some way to clearing any mental hurdles that may still linger around this fixture.

It won’t be pretty, as England’s tournament openers typically aren’t, but we’re backing them to shade a tight and tense contest thanks to a likely Harry Kane winner.

England to win, 1-0.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

England wins: 6

Croatia wins: 3

Draws: 2

England vs Croatia match odds

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