Bellingham starts as Tuchel names England XI vs Croatia | OneFootball

Jude Bellingham starts as Thomas Tuchel confirms the starting XI for England’s World Cup opener against Croatia.

The Group L tie kicks off at Dallas Stadium in Arlington at 21:00 BST. Harry Kane leads the line as England chase a winning start.

Bellingham starts as Tuchel names England XI vs Croatia

Bellingham takes the No 10 role after impressing in England’s final warm-up friendly against Costa Rica.

Ahead of him, Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke provide the width, with Gordon preferred to Marcus Rashford. Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson form the midfield pairing.

The back line has a settled look. Jordan Pickford starts in goal behind Reece James and Nico O’Reilly at full-back. John Stones and Ezri Konsa partner in central defence.

England were forced into one change before the tournament. Tino Livramento was ruled out with a calf injury, while Trevoh Chalobah was called up but will not join until after this match.

Croatia, meanwhile, lean once more on their talisman. Luka Modric starts at his fifth World Cup, captaining the side at the age of 40. It marks close to his 199th appearance for his country, underlining his remarkable longevity.

Zlatko Dalic blends that experience with youth. Josko Gvardiol, Luka Vuskovic and Josip Sutalo anchor the defence, while Ivan Perisic and Mario Pasalic add familiar quality. Petar Musa leads the attack.

The two nations meet in a repeat of their 2018 semi-final, won by Croatia on the way to the final.

England starting XI: Pickford; James, Stones, Konsa, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.

Croatia starting XI: Livakovic; Gvardiol, Vuskovic, Sutalo, Perisic; Sucic, Modric, Stanisic, Baturina; Pasalic, Musa.

Read more – England vs Croatia – Combined XI ahead of World Cup clash

See Also- Croatia: 2026 World Cup Squad, Fixtures and Schedule

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