England begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a challenging Group L encounter against Croatia at the iconic AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The match revives one of the most memorable rivalries in recent international football, with both nations aiming to start their tournament journey with three valuable points. England enter the competition with strong momentum following positive results in their warm-up fixtures, while Croatia continue to rely on their blend of experienced stars and emerging talent.
England vs Croatia Match Preview
The opening round of Group L could prove decisive in determining the group standings. England arrive as one of the tournament favorites, boasting a squad filled with Premier League stars and international experience. Under their current setup, the Three Lions have developed into a well-balanced side capable of competing against any opponent.
Croatia, meanwhile, remain one of international football’s most respected teams. Despite changes in personnel over recent years, they continue to demonstrate tactical discipline and resilience. Veterans such as Luka Modric still provide leadership, while younger players have stepped up to maintain Croatia’s competitive edge.
Match Information
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | England vs Croatia |
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Date | June 17, 2026 |
| Venue | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas |
| Capacity | 94,000 |
| Kickoff (ET) | 4:00 PM |
| Kickoff (BST) | 9:00 PM |
| Kickoff (IST) | 1:30 AM (June 18) |
| Referee | Clément Turpin (France) |
Head-to-Head Record
England and Croatia have faced each other nine times in international competition. England hold the advantage with five victories compared to Croatia’s three wins, while one match ended in a draw.
H2H Statistics
| Category | England | Croatia |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 9 | 9 |
| Wins | 5 | 3 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| Goals Scored | 19 | 12 |
The most famous meeting came during the 2018 World Cup semi-final when Croatia secured a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory. However, England responded well in subsequent meetings, including a 1-0 win at UEFA Euro 2020.
Predicted Lineups
England Predicted XI
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
Defenders: Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Nico O’Reilly
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson
Attacking Midfielders: Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon
Forward: Harry Kane
Croatia Predicted XI
Goalkeeper: Dominik Livakovic
Defenders: Josip Stanisic, Josip Sutalo, Luka Vuskovic, Josko Gvardiol
Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic
Attacking Midfielders: Mario Pasalic, Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic
Forward: Ante Budimir
Group L Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Knockout Stage |
| 2 | Croatia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Knockout Stage |
| 3 | Ghana | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Possible Knockout Stage (Best Third-Place Team) |
| 4 | Panama | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Possible Knockout Stage (Best Third-Place Team) |
Group L Teams: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Qualification Rules:
- 1st & 2nd Place: Automatic qualification to the Knockout Stage
- 3rd Place: May qualify as one of the best third-placed teams
- 4th Place: Eliminated from the tournament
All teams begin the tournament level on 0 points before their opening matches.
England Team News and Form
England have looked solid in recent matches, recording victories over Costa Rica and New Zealand before arriving in the United States. Harry Kane remains the focal point in attack, while Jude Bellingham continues to establish himself as one of the world’s elite midfielders.
England Last Five Matches
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 10, 2026 | England vs Costa Rica | 3-0 Win |
| Jun 6, 2026 | England vs New Zealand | 1-0 Win |
| Mar 31, 2026 | England vs Japan | 0-1 Loss |
| Mar 27, 2026 | England vs Uruguay | 1-1 Draw |
| Nov 16, 2025 | Albania vs England | 0-2 Win |
Croatia Team News and Form
Croatia enter the tournament after mixed results in their preparation matches. The experienced midfield partnership of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic remains central to their game plan, while Josko Gvardiol is expected to play a key role in defense.
Croatia Last Five Matches
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 7, 2026 | Croatia vs Slovenia | 2-1 Win |
| Jun 2, 2026 | Croatia vs Belgium | 0-2 Loss |
| Apr 1, 2026 | Brazil vs Croatia | 3-1 Loss |
| Mar 26, 2026 | Colombia vs Croatia | 1-2 Win |
| Nov 17, 2025 | Montenegro vs Croatia | 2-3 Win |
Group L Standings Before Kickoff
| Position | Team | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 0 |
| 2 | Croatia | 0 |
| 3 | Ghana | 0 |
| 4 | Panama | 0 |
Prediction
England appear to have greater squad depth and arrive with stronger recent form. Croatia possess the experience and tournament know-how to cause problems, but England’s attacking quality could make the difference in this opening Group L fixture. A closely contested match is expected, with both teams aware of the importance of a positive start to their World Cup campaign.
With Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Luka Modric, and Ivan Perisic among the star attractions, football fans can expect an entertaining and high-quality contest as Group L action gets underway in Arlington.