England vs Croatia | FIFA World Cup 2026 — Group Stage | Preview and Prediction

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

For the game, here we present our preview and prediction.

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, given both the quality of their squad and their recent performances in international tournaments. They waltzed through qualification with a 100% win record and did not concede a single goal throughout the campaign.

Croatia, meanwhile, come into this World Cup with their fabled golden generation on their last legs after what have been an unprecedented eight years of success, and they will be looking to bow out on 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 build-up to their campaign opener. From a shooting near their training camp, their kits being stolen, earthquake alerts, a tornado alert, to the gut-wrenching news of fullback Tino Livramento being ruled out of the World Cup due to injury, the Three Lions have been dealt one adversity after another, and it will be interesting to see how the team manage to cope with all that has been happening on the sidelines.

England and Croatia both have been playing a rather pragmatic style of football, both 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 on the flanks to cause significant damage.

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 would be any manager’s dream entering a global tournament like the World Cup. Thomas Tuchel and England will 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.

In what is expected to be a close and cagey game, it will be England’s pace versus Croatia’s experience, and we will, for once, give the edge to pace and back England as favourites to win this contest.

Score Predictions: England 1–0 Croatia
Venue: Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, USA