{"id":1486,"date":"2026-06-12T17:30:37","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T21:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/ca\/?post_type=news&p=1486"},"modified":"2026-06-12T17:41:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T21:41:37","slug":"match-preview-england-vs-croatia-06-17-26-world-cup-2026","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/ca\/news\/world-cup\/match-preview-england-vs-croatia-06-17-26-world-cup-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"England vs Croatia: Prediction, Picks & Best Bets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Group L gets underway when England face Croatia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with kick-off on Wednesday, June 17 at 4:00 PM ET \/ 3:00 PM CT \/ 2:00 PM MT \/ 1:00 PM PT at the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The fixture cannot be discussed without nodding to Moscow 2018, when Croatia clawed back from a Kieran Trippier free-kick and won in extra time to push England out of a World Cup semifinal. Eight years on the roles have flipped, and it is England who walk into Texas as one of the genuine title contenders.<\/p>\n\n

Croatia have aged into the kind of side that frustrates rather than overwhelms; patient, structured, and hard to break down. A group that also contains Ghana and Panama means neither team can afford a slow opener, and three points on matchday one shapes the rest of the bracket.<\/p>\n\n

At bet365 the price reflects the gap: England sit at -138, the draw drifts out to +270, and Croatia trade at +375. That is a respectful market, not a runaway one. Tournament openers tend to be tight, and the Three Lions still need to live up to the billing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

England vs Croatia: Best Bets & Predictions<\/h2>\n\n

The pick is England, but the route there runs through a low-scoring grind rather than a comfortable rout.<\/p>\n\n

\n
Our Prediction<\/th>Odds & Sportsbook<\/th>Confidence<\/th>Why We’re Backing It<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
England to Win<\/strong><\/td>-138 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(58%)<\/td>		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>Squad depth tilts the floor. England can rotate Champions League starters from the bench, and they have won four of the last six between the nations.<\/td><\/tr>\n
Correct Score: 1-0 England<\/strong><\/td>+600 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(14%)<\/td>		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>First-night nerves usually cap the goal count, and Croatia are not a side that leaks late once a tactical script settles. A one-goal margin tracks the pattern.<\/td><\/tr>\n
Harry Kane<\/strong> anytime scorer<\/td>Check bet365<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>The captain owns the armband, the penalty duties, and the all-time England scoring record, on the back of another Bundesliga Golden Boot at Bayern.<\/td><\/tr>\n
Under 2.5 Goals<\/strong><\/td>-138 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(58%)<\/td>		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>Every meeting since 2009 has been decided by a single goal at most, and Croatia bleed the tempo out of fixtures by design.<\/td><\/tr>\n
Both Teams to Score: No<\/strong><\/td>-125 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(56%)<\/td>		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>Croatia did not score against this England back line at Euro 2020, and the centre-back pairing remains the most settled part of the team.<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n

How we’d line it up: England’s moneyline as the anchor, then layer Under 2.5 and BTTS No on top to lean into the same low-scoring read of the night.<\/p>\n\n

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please play responsibly.<\/small><\/p>\n\n

Group L \u2014 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/h2>\n\n

England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama make up Group L. Nothing has been played yet, so the table below shows the seeded order from the draw with every column reading zero.<\/p>\n\n

\n
Team<\/th>Pos<\/th>GP<\/th>W<\/th>D<\/th>L<\/th>GF<\/th>GA<\/th>GD<\/th>Pts<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
England<\/strong><\/td>1<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td><\/tr>\n
Croatia<\/strong><\/td>2<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td><\/tr>\n
Ghana<\/strong><\/td>3<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td><\/tr>\n
Panama<\/strong><\/td>4<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

Potential Match-Winners<\/h2>\n\n