The Basics
England play Croatia in their opening World Cup group game on Wednesday 17 June 2026 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kick-off is 9pm UK time (4pm local time in Dallas). The match is on BBC or ITV — check listings for the specific channel.
Why This Match Matters More Than It Should
On paper, England should beat Croatia. England are ranked fourth in the world, are tournament favourites, and have a perfect qualifying record under Thomas Tuchel. Croatia are ranked eleventh. The betting puts England as clear favourites.
But football is not played on paper. And this particular fixture carries history that makes every England fan nervous before it has even started.
2018: The Night That Still Hurts
The last time England met Croatia in a World Cup, it was the semi-final in Moscow. England took the lead through Kieran Trippier’s free kick and were 25 minutes from their first World Cup final since 1966. Then Croatia equalised. Then, in extra time, Ivan Perisic crossed and Mario Mandzukic headed in the winner. Croatia 2-1 England. England went home.
Twenty-seven years of hurt became twenty-eight. Every England fan over the age of 25 carries that night somewhere inside them.
Euro 2020: Redemption
England got some payback at Euro 2020 — the first game of the group stage, at Wembley, Raheem Sterling scored the only goal. A satisfying win but a long way short of settling the score.
Who Are Croatia?
Croatia are a small nation — population just under four million — who consistently produce world-class footballers and punch far above their weight. They were World Cup finalists in 1998 and 2018, and third-place finishers in 2022.
The heart of the team, as always, is Luka Modric. The Real Madrid midfielder is 40 years old and this is almost certainly his last World Cup. He won the Ballon d’Or (the award for the world’s best player) in 2018 — the year he helped destroy England’s World Cup dream. He is slower than he once was, but his reading of the game, his passing and his composure are still elite.
Croatia also have Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), a brilliant midfield partner for Modric, and Andrej Kramaric as their main goal threat.
What Tuchel's England Will Look Like
Thomas Tuchel is expected to set up in his favoured 4-3-3 formation — four defenders, three midfielders, three attackers. The likely starting lineup:
Goalkeeper: Pickford
Defenders: Reece James, Marc Guehi, John Stones, Nico O’Reilly
Midfielders: Declan Rice (holding), Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham
Forwards: Bukayo Saka (right), Harry Kane (centre), Marcus Rashford (left)
What does 4-3-3 mean? See our Formations Explained page.
England will look to press high and win the ball quickly in Croatia’s half. Tuchel has built his England team around exactly the kind of aggressive, physical pressing that makes Croatia uncomfortable. The key battle will be Rice vs Modric — England’s defensive midfielder trying to stop the Croatian controlling the tempo.
The Wild Card: England's Pre-Tournament Form
England lost their final pre-tournament friendly against Japan 1-0, with Kaoru Mitoma scoring the winner at Wembley. It was England’s first-ever defeat to an Asian nation. Tuchel played a rotated side but it raised questions. England then drew 1-1 with Uruguay in a scrappy game.
None of this matters as much as the qualifying record — 8 wins, 0 conceded — but it is a reminder that England are not invincible. Croatia will know that.
The Prediction
England have too much quality across the pitch to lose this game against a Croatia side past its peak. But a tight, tense 1-0 or 2-1 feels more likely than a comfortable victory. Croatia will make England work. Modric will have moments. And England will have to show they can win ugly as well as beautifully.
England 2-1 Croatia is the prediction — but brace yourself for a nervy night.
