We look ahead to Wednesday’s Group L FIFA World Cup clash with our England vs Croatia prediction and preview. Can the Three Lions kick-start their campaign with a win?
England vs Croatia: The Key Insights
The Opta supercomputer expects England to start their 2026 World Cup campaign strongly, with a win probability of 55.9% to Croatia’s 20.8%. This will be the second meeting between England and Croatia in the World Cup, following the 2018 semi-final, where Croatia triumphed 2-1 after extra time. England have lost only one of their last eight opening matches at the World Cup (W4 D3) – a 2-1 defeat to Italy in 2014.England will look to make a rip-roaring start to their World Cup campaign when they face Croatia in their Group L opener at Dallas Stadium on Wednesday.
The Three Lions have been one of the form teams leading up to the tournament and are among the favourites to reach the semi-finals, with the Opta supercomputer giving them a 29.1% chance.
Wednesday’s match will mark England’s 17th World Cup appearance and their eighth in succession – their longest participation streak since missing out in 1994 (also in the USA).
Thomas Tuchel’s side were one of only two UEFA nations, alongside Norway, to win all eight of their qualifying matches. They were also the only side to come through qualifying without conceding a goal.
While impressive, Tuchel now faces the big challenge of translating that form onto the biggest stage, something England have often found difficult.
Since lifting the trophy in 1966, the Three Lions’ record in the tournament has been nothing to write home about. They have progressed past the quarter-finals only twice, securing fourth place finishes in both 1990 and 2018.
What may encourage England, however, is their strong record in World Cup openers. They have lost just one of their last eight curtain-raisers (W3 D4) – a 2-1 defeat to Italy in 2014.
Croatia, meanwhile, have long since shed their “underdog” label and arrive at their seventh World Cup as one of international football’s most consistent tournament performers.
The Vatreni’s record may suggest that they tend to blow hot and cold, but under the leadership of the age-defying Ivan Perisic for inspiration.
The veteran winger has been directly involved in more goals than any Croatian player in major tournament history (10 goals, eight assists). He is also one of just three players to have both scored and assisted at each of the last three World Cups, alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar.
England vs Croatia Head-to-Head
The last World Cup meeting between England and Croatia was a clash for the ages, with Dalic’s side coming from behind to secure a 2-1 extra-time victory in the semi-final in 2018.
Kieran Trippier gave England an early lead but goals from Perisic and Mario Mandzukic eventually sent Croatia through to their first World Cup final.
Wednesday’s clash will be the fourth between England and Croatia at a major tournament in the 21st century. They have so far faced off once at the World Cup (Croatia won in 2018) and twice at the Euros (both England wins).
England vs Croatia Prediction
England have been tagged as favourites ahead of this Group L opener according to the Opta supercomputer, with the Three Lions winning in 55.9% of the 10,000 pre-match simulations.
Croatia chances of victory were rated at just 20.8%, while a draw accounted for the remaining 23.3% of the simulations.
England vs Croatia Squads
England: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, John Stones, Marc Guéhi, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn, Reece James, Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke, Ivan Toney.
Croatia: Dominik Livakovic, Ivor Pandur, Dominik Kotarski, Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Sutalo, Luka Vuskovic, Martin Erlic, Nikola Moro, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Nikola Vlasic, Mario Pasalic, Martin Baturina, Petar Sucic, Kristijan Jakic, Toni Fruk, Luka Sucic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir, Ivan Perisic, Igor Matanovic, Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa.
England vs Croatia Predicted Lineups
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England vs Croatia Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview Opta Analyst.
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