Sports · World Cup 2026 · Group L
Englandvs
Croatia
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 · 4:00 p.m. ET · Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium), Arlington, TX
Watch: FOX · Telemundo
My pick: England win · locked 2026-06-16 11:00 UTCPrediction
England to win, but not as comfortably as the rankings suggest. Thomas Tuchel's side came through European qualifying with eight wins from eight and a 22-0 goal difference, and a spine of Rice, Bellingham and Kane is among the strongest in the field. Croatia, though, remain a serious tournament side — Modrić, Kovačić and Gvardiol give them control and quality — even if this is widely seen as Modrić's last World Cup and the supporting cast is ageing. England's depth and Bellingham's threat from deep should be the difference; 2-1.
The case for England
55% to winEngland arrive in ominous form under Tuchel — a flawless qualifying campaign, 22 goals scored and none conceded — and field a side with elite quality at every line: Pickford behind, Rice screening, Bellingham linking, and Harry Kane, the country's record scorer, up top. Their strength in wide areas means even a Saka absence can be covered by Gordon, Madueke or Rashford. Against a Croatia side relying on veterans, England's energy and depth should win out over ninety minutes.
The case for Croatia
17% to winCroatia have made a habit of defying their underdog billing at major tournaments — finalists in 2018, third in 2022 — and they still possess two of the finest midfielders of the era in Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić, with Joško Gvardiol a world-class defender behind them. They will dominate spells of possession and slow the game to their tempo, frustrating an England side that can be impatient. One moment of Modrić magic, or a set piece, and the upset is on.
Both cases written 2026-06-16, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 28% belongs to the draw.
England 4-2-3-14-2-3-1 CroatiaThe briefing
Storylines
- England arrive as one of the favourites after a perfect European qualifying campaign under Thomas Tuchel — eight wins from eight, 22 goals scored, none conceded.
- This is widely expected to be Luka Modrić's final World Cup, the 40-year-old captain leading a Croatia side blending its golden-generation core with younger talent.
- Bukayo Saka is a fitness doubt after ending the club season with discomfort and sitting out the warm-up friendlies, opening the door for Noni Madueke or a reshaped front line.
- Played under the closed roof at Dallas's AT&T Stadium, a controlled indoor environment that should suit England's passing game.
The coaches
Thomas Tuchel England
Took charge in 2025 and steered England through a flawless qualifying campaign; pragmatic, structured football built on a dominant midfield.
Zlatko Dalić Croatia
In charge since 2017, the architect of Croatia's 2018 final and 2022 third-place runs; favours patient, midfield-controlled football around Modrić.
Availability
| Bukayo Saka | Doubt — ended the season with discomfort and did not start either warm-up friendly; Tuchel may not risk him, with Madueke in line to start | Sports Mole / RotoWire preview · 2026-06-16 |
| Squad | No major injury concerns reported; Dalić's veteran core is available | RotoWire preview · 2026-06-16 |
Availability drifts hourly in tournament week — every row carries its source and date for exactly that reason.
Watch: FOX in English (stream on Fox One with a TV provider) and Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo or Universo, which alternate across the tournament (stream on Peacock); a free over-the-air option where FOX is available via antenna. (NBC News / Yahoo Sports World Cup TV schedule, as of 2026-06-16)
Weather: Roof — AT&T Stadium's retractable roof is expected closed, giving a still, climate-controlled indoor environment regardless of the Texas heat outside. (Venue configuration (AT&T Stadium retractable roof), as of 2026-06-16)
Venue: Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium), Arlington, TX, United States — FIFA strips sponsor names for the tournament; the everyday name is in parentheses.