The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues in North Texas on Wednesday, when England faces Croatia in a Group L match at Dallas Stadium in Arlington.
England enters as one of the teams to beat, with manager Thomas Tuchel at the helm and Harry Kane leading the line. The Three Lions cruised through European qualifying with a perfect record, eight wins and eight clean sheets, becoming the first UEFA side to secure a spot in the expanded 48-team tournament.
Tuchel has brought a more defined tactical structure to England, with Jude Bellingham in midfield, Declan Rice and John Stones providing experience, and Bukayo Saka expected to be available after an Achilles concern, according to ESPN. Kane remains the focal point up front as England tries to win its first World Cup since 1966.
Croatia, ranked 11th in the world, arrives as a seasoned and dangerous opponent. Coach Zlatko Dalic’s team reached the 2018 final and took third in 2022. At 40, Luka Modric, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner and 2018 The Best FIFA Men’s Player winner, continues to anchor the midfield in what may be his final World Cup. Mateo Kovacic, Josko Gvardiol, and Ivan Perisic give Croatia experience around him.
Croatia earned its place by winning its UEFA qualifying group, finishing with seven wins and one draw while conceding four goals. The team reached the 2018 World Cup final and finished third in 2022, giving Dalic’s group one of the strongest recent tournament records in the field.
History Adds Edge
The matchup carries recent World Cup history.
Croatia knocked out England in the 2018 World Cup semifinals, winning 2-1 in extra time in Moscow, according to ESPN. England later beat Croatia 1-0 at Wembley to open Euro 2020, but the 2018 semifinal defeat still gives the matchup added weight.
Expect a battle between England’s attacking talent and pressing intensity versus Croatia’s strong defense and midfield control through Modric. Key questions include Saka’s fitness and starting role, and whether England can convert early dominance into goals against a team that is great at absorbing pressure and striking on the break.
England should enter as the favorite, but Croatia’s recent World Cup record makes this a dangerous opening test.
