Match Overview
If any fixture in the 2026 World Cup group stage carries the weight of unresolved sporting history, it is this one. In Moscow in July 2018, Croatia defeated England 2-1 in extra time to knock them out of the World Cup semifinal — a moment that confirmed Croatia as one of the great World Cup stories of the modern era and left England's golden generation waiting again for the moment that never quite comes.
At the 2026 World Cup, England and Croatia are drawn together in Group L. The fixture opens with everything — revenge, resolution, generational pride — on the line. England are expected to top this group. Croatia are expected to be their biggest obstacle.
Team Form & Key Players
England enter this tournament with a squad of extraordinary depth and quality. Harry Kane — having broken Wayne Rooney's England scoring record — is the focal point of the attack, a relentless, technically excellent center-forward who can both finish and create. Jude Bellingham has emerged as one of the best midfielders in world football, capable of arriving late into the box and changing games from midfield in a way that is nearly impossible to defend. The supporting cast is exceptional: Phil Foden's creativity, Bukayo Saka's directness and consistency, and a defensive platform built around solid Premier League performers. England's persistent issue is translating individual quality into tournament wins — the 2026 World Cup is their best opportunity in a generation to change that.
Croatia are entering what feels like the farewell tournament for a generation. Luka Modric — if he continues his extraordinary longevity — would be making his fifth World Cup appearance and remains one of the most technically gifted midfielders the game has produced. Croatia's 2018 run to the final and their 2022 third-place finish were built on this core group's experience and collective intelligence. As that core ages, the question is whether Croatia have developed enough quality in the next generation to remain competitive at the highest level. But write them off at your peril — Croatia have repeatedly exceeded every expectation over the past decade.
Head-to-Head History
Beyond 2018, England and Croatia have a complicated recent history. Croatia also beat England in the 2008 European Championship qualifying, compounding the psychological burden. At Euro 2020, however, England finally turned the tide — winning 1-0 at Wembley in the group stage through a Raheem Sterling goal. That result began the process of England reasserting themselves in this particular rivalry. The 2026 group stage encounter is the latest chapter in a competition that has swung both ways.
Tactical Matchup
England's current preferred shape gives Bellingham freedom to arrive late from midfield and support Kane, while the wide players — Saka and Foden — provide creativity and directness. The full-backs push forward to maintain width and create overloads. England press high when they have the ball and look to play through midfield quickly.
Croatia, as they have always done under their core group, will look to control the tempo through midfield. Modric's ability to dictate the game's rhythm from deep and find passes that others cannot see is Croatia's greatest tactical weapon. If they can slow the game down and frustrate England's directness, they have the quality to punish any sloppiness on the counter.
Key Battles to Watch
Bellingham vs Modric: The most compelling individual matchup in the entire group stage. The young pretender against the aging master. Bellingham's energy and power versus Modric's intelligence and technical quality. This midfield battle will define the game.
Kane vs Croatia's center-backs: Kane at his best is almost impossible to contain. His movement, link play, and clinical finishing make him a constant problem. Croatia's central defenders will need to be excellent.
Saka/Foden vs Croatia's full-backs: England's wide attackers are among the best in the world. Croatia's ability to contain their directness while managing the game centrally is their primary defensive challenge.
Our Prediction
England are the better team in 2026. Their squad is deeper, their best players are at the peak of their powers, and the motivation of the 2018 revenge narrative will be palpable. Croatia will be competitive — they always are — but England should win this.
England 2-0 Croatia. Kane scores, Bellingham adds a second in the second half. England settle the 2018 score and open their World Cup campaign with exactly the statement they need.
How to Watch
United States: Fox Sports and Telemundo (Spanish language). Stream via Fubo TV and Peacock.
United Kingdom: BBC Sport and ITV share rights. Stream on BBC iPlayer and ITVX — expect massive UK audiences for this fixture.
Canada: TSN and CTV.
Rest of World: Check local FIFA broadcast partners for your region.