England vs Croatia renew their rivalry in a Group L opener that carries plenty of history. England National Football Team are aiming to start strongly under Thomas Tuchel, while Croatia remain a dangerous and experienced side who have caused the Three Lions problems in recent major tournaments. This rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final promises intensity from the first whistle.
The England vs Croatia Group L opening game kicks off on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
England have a talented squad and will be expected to control the game with their technical quality. Croatia have shown resilience and tactical discipline in big games, often frustrating stronger opponents. Both teams know an opening win would give them confidence heading into the rest of the group.
This matchup pits England’s attacking depth against Croatia’s organized defense and counter-attacking threat. England will look to dominate possession and break Croatia down through the middle and wide areas, while Croatia will aim to stay compact and exploit spaces on the break. Expect a competitive and tactical battle.
England vs Croatia Match Details: Date, Time & Venue
- Fixture: England vs Croatia (FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group L)
- Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 4:00 PM ET / 9:00 PM BST
- Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, USA
- Capacity: 80,000
Tactical Context & Form Guides
England
They play with a balanced style that emphasizes control in midfield and quick transitions. Under Thomas Tuchel, England have focused on fluidity and pressing.
Their main goal here is to start the tournament with a win and use their attacking options to create chances against a tough Croatian defense.
Croatia
Croatia are well-organized and dangerous on the counter, often relying on experienced players to dictate tempo. They have a history of performing well in major tournaments.
They plan to frustrate England, stay compact, and look for opportunities to hit on the break with players like Modric pulling the strings.
Team News & Injury Status
England Team News
England have some selection decisions to make, particularly at centre-back and in attack. Bukayo Saka is managing a minor fitness issue but is expected to be involved. Harry Kane leads the line, while Reece James and Declan Rice anchor the defense and midfield.
Croatia Team News
Croatia benefit from Luka Modric’s wealth of experience, though a few players are still managing fitness concerns. The squad remains mostly settled, with Josko Gvardiol offering both defensive solidity and an edge from the back.
England vs Croatia Starting XI Lineups
Here’s the best starting XI from the final 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
England Starting XI vs Croatia:
Jordan Pickford; Reece James, John Stones, Ezri Konsa, Kieran Trippier; Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham; Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane.
Croatia Starting XI vs England:
Dominik Livaković; Josip Stanišić, Marin Šutalo, Josko Gvardiol, Ivan Perišić; Mateo Kovačić, Luka Modrić; Martin Baturina, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir.
Key Players to Watch
England
- Harry Kane: Main goal scorer.
- Jude Bellingham: Creative midfield playmaker.
- Anthony Gordon: Starting winger providing pace.
- Nico O’Reilly: Young defensive tactical option.
Croatia
- Luka Modrić: Veteran midfield controller.
- Joško Gvardiol: Star defensive anchor.
- Petar Musa: Striker playing in Texas.
- Luka Vušković: Teen center back talent.
Head-to-Head History
The sides have met several times in major tournaments. Croatia famously beat England in the 2018 World Cup semi-final. England won their Euro 2020 group stage meeting 1-0. The rivalry is always competitive and tactical.
England leads the all-time head-to-head record over Croatia with 6 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws in their 11 previous meetings.
| Total Matches | England Wins | Croatia Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
Match Prediction
England are the stronger side on paper and should control most of the game with their superior quality. Croatia will defend deep and look for counters, but England’s attacking options are likely to create enough chances to win.
- Predicted Score: England 2-1 Croatia
England should edge it in a tight contest, with a moment of quality from Bellingham or Kane proving decisive after a cagey opening.
Where to Watch England vs Croatia in USA
Catch the England vs Croatia FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match live in the United States on FOX for English commentary and Telemundo for Spanish commentary.
| Language | Network / TV Channel | Streaming Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| English | FOX | FOX One (Free Trial/Subscription) Fox Sports (with TV provider login) |
| Spanish | Telemundo | Peacock (Premium/Premium Plus subscription) |
- United Kingdom: ITV1 / ITVX
- Canada: TSN
- Australia: SBS / SBS On Demand
