FIFA World Cup 26™: What to look out for in England v Croatia 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇭🇷 | OneFootball

FIFA World Cup 26™: What to look out for in England v Croatia 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇭🇷 | OneFootball

In partnership with

Yahoo sports
Icon: OneFootball

OneFootball

Padraig Whelan·17 de junho de 2026

FIFA World Cup 26™: What to look out for in England v Croatia 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇭🇷

Imagem do artigo:FIFA World Cup 26™: What to look out for in England v Croatia 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇭🇷

Rivalries are set to be renewed when England and Croatia face off in Group L.

Here's what to expect from their opening FIFA World Cup 26™ showdown.


Vídeos OneFootball


Who is playing today? 👀

Revolution meets evolution at Dallas Stadium with a rematch of the 2018 World Cup™ semi-final.

England's brave new era under Thomas Tuchel is yet to fully ignite despite leading them to a 100% qualification record within months of succeeding Gareth Southgate.

Harry Kane continues to serve as his country's best hope since being elevated by his move to the fulcrum of Bayern Munich's attack over the previous three seasons.

Meanwhile Zlatko Dalić has kept Croatia ticking over for almost a decade since his arrival, with only Czechia able to take points off them in the run-up to this tournament.

The evergreen Andrej Kramarić topped their scoring charts but the Kockasti are hardly a one-man outfit in attack with the goals shared around evenly.


Players to watch 🔥

Imagem do artigo:FIFA World Cup 26™: What to look out for in England v Croatia 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇭🇷

Tuchel's squad selection raised eyebrows but not when it came to Nico O'Reilly.

The homegrown Manchester City talent was named the Premier League's Young Player of the Season and ran the show in their EFL Cup final win over Arsenal.

Still only 21, O'Reilly is as comfortable operating in attack as he is at left-back or midfield; qualities which make him an invaluable utility asset for the Three Lions.

Joško Gvardiol has regularly played alongside O'Reilly in defence at club level but will be looking to limit his teammate's threat on the international stage.

The centre-back's performances at the 2022 tournament played a role in his move to City and he will need to be similarly pivotal after shaking off a broken tibia injury.

Gvardiol's prolonged absence was a key factor in their failed Premier League title bid and will need to be up to speed to avoid Croatia's latest campaign petering out.


Must-watch video 🎥

A touching behind-the-scenes moment for Rio Ngumoha, who didn't make the final World Cup™ squad but is now a full international.


Fun facts 📊??

  • This will be the 10th competitive meeting between the nations
  • Croatia are one of only two teams to reach the last two World Cup™ semi-finals
  • England have lost just one of their last eight World Cup openers - to Italy in 2014

Our prediction 🔮

  1. England 1-0 Croatia
Saiba mais sobre o veículo