England vs Croatia Prediction: Revenge for 2018 in Arlington?
Preview, published 17 June 2026. Kick-off 4pm ET, AT&T Stadium, Arlington.
England vs Croatia is the pick of the World Cup 2026 Group L openers, and our prediction is an England win, 2-1, with Jude Bellingham the difference against a Croatia side leaning on a 40-year-old Luka Modric for one last tournament. There is history here too: Croatia knocked England out of the 2018 semi-final, so Thomas Tuchel’s side arrive with a score to settle as well as a group to win.
| Match facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fixture | England vs Croatia, World Cup 2026 Group L |
| Kick-off | 4pm ET, 17 June |
| Venue | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas |
| Watch (US) | Fox; Telemundo (Spanish), stream on Peacock |
| Watch (UK) | BBC / ITV, free-to-air |
| Our prediction | England 2-1 Croatia |
What is at stake
England arrive among the favourites. Thomas Tuchel’s side cruised through European qualifying with eight wins from eight and a goal difference of plus 22, and they will expect to top a group that also contains Ghana and Panama. Croatia, finalists in 2018 and semi-finalists in 2022, remain dangerous but are in transition, built around a midfield maestro in the final act of a glittering career.
Players to watch
For England, Jude Bellingham is the headline act, the Real Madrid midfielder who drives the team forward and arrives late in the box to score. Harry Kane, the captain and record scorer, leads the line, with Bukayo Saka the most reliable creator from the right. For Croatia, it is all about Luka Modric, 40 and playing what is widely seen as his last World Cup, supported by the experienced Ivan Perisic.
Our prediction
We expect England to win, but not comfortably. Croatia have the nous to make it awkward, and Modric will see plenty of the ball. England’s depth and Bellingham’s threat should tell in the end, so we are calling it 2-1 to England. It is the kind of opener that could be decided by a single moment of quality, and England have more of those players than Croatia do in 2026.
What is next
Both sides then face Ghana and Panama in Group L. Follow the group on our standings page, see the day’s other games in our June 17 preview, and check the format in our complete World Cup 2026 guide. We will publish a full match report straight after the final whistle.
Frequently asked questions
What is the prediction for England vs Croatia?
Our prediction is an England win, 2-1. England are favourites under Thomas Tuchel, but Croatia, with Luka Modric, have the experience to make the Group L opener competitive.
When and where is England vs Croatia?
England vs Croatia kicks off at 4pm ET on 17 June 2026 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It is live on Fox in the US and free-to-air on the BBC or ITV in the UK.
Who are the players to watch in England vs Croatia?
Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka for England, and Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic for Croatia in what is likely Modric’s final World Cup.
Sources: ESPN preview.
