England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday.
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.
Date, kick-off time and venue
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.
Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel and website, along with the ITVX app, ITV website, BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.
England vs Croatia team news
Tino Livramento has been ruled out of the tournament with a muscle injury, and will be replaced by Trevoh Chalobah.
The Chelsea defender will not join up with the squad until after this game, though Reece James is expected to start the opener.
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.
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.
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
Odds via UK betting sites (subject to change).
