England vs Croatia | FIFA World Cup 2026- Group Stages | Preview and Predictions

It is a repeat of the 2018 FIFA World Cup semifinal as familiar foes England and Croatia meet once again on a World Cup platform in what promises to be an high-octane clash between the two sides in Group L’s curtain-raiser for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Here is our Preview and Predictions for the game.

FIFA WC26 | Group L: ENG vs CRO | 01:30 IST, 18 June, 2026

England enter this tournament as one of the favourites to go all the way with the squad that they have and their recent performances in International Tournaments. They waltzed through qualification with a 100% win record and did not concede a single goal throughout.

Croatia enters this World Cup with their fabled golden generation on their last legs of what has been an unprecedented 8 years of success, and they will be looking to bow out of the grandest stage with another feather in their cap. Just like England, Croatia too topped their qualifying group to secure their passage for the tournament.

England have had a rather tumultuous buildup to their campaign opener. From a shooting near their training camp, their kits being stolen, earthquake alerts, and a tornado alert, to the gut-wrenching news of full-back Tino Livramento being ruled out of the World Cup due to injury, the Three Lions have been dealt with one adversity after another, and it will be interesting to see how the team has managed to cope up with all that has been happening in the sidelines.

England and Croatia both have been playing a rather pragmatic style of football with both sides looking to hold the ball and maintain possession for long periods. The only point of difference between the two sides is that England have the pace and guile in the flanks to cause significant damage that can also help to speed up the tempo and the pace of the game whenever they choose to.

Despite Livramento’s injury, England are filled with quality from top to bottom. Declan Rice in midfield, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham playing behind Harry Kane, these are all players who can be any manager’s dream entering in a global tournament like the World Cup. But England’s hopes and dreams all rest on the shoulders of Harry Kane, who has arguably been the best striker in the World in the last year. Tuchel and England will both hope that his goals can end a 60-year drought for the World Cup.

For Croatia, it is once again their grand old man Luka Modric, who at 40 is still playing at the highest level and will hope that he has enough legs to once more carry this team on his back to wherever he can take them to.

In what is expected to be a close and cagey game, it will be England’s pace vs Croatia’s experience, and we will for once, give the edge to pace and believe that England will be favourites entering this contest.

Score Predictions: England 1-0 Croatia

Venue: Dallas Stadium, Arlington.