England finally get their World Cup 2026 campaign underway when they face Croatia on Wednesday at 5am (UK time).
England enter their 17th World Cup hoping that this will be the year that will see them become world champions again for the first time since 1966. They reached the quarter-final in 2022 and the semi-final four years before that, as well the final at both Euro 2020 and 2024, but the wait for a major trophy continues.
Croatia meanwhile have reached the semi-final in each of the last two tournaments. This will be their seventh tournament and they’ve reached the final four in three of those — impressive for a nation that has only gained independence in 1991.
These two nations have a storied history, playing each other 10 times since their first clash in 1996. The Three Lions have won six of those, with Croatia snatching victory three times.
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England vs Croatia team news
England team news
Harry Kane captains England at his third World Cup, equalling the record set by Billy Wright. Kane arrives in devastating form, having scored 58 goals across all competitions for Bayern Munich this season.
Tuchel’s England operate in a 4-2-3-1, with Rice and Elliot Anderson looking set to form England’s midfield base. Anderson should offer energy and ball-carrying from alongside Rice.
Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers are both in contention for the No.10 role. Bellingham remains the more natural fit, but Tuchel has options if he wants something different. The wide opens are more open, though. Bukayo Saka might have to have his minutes managed, leaving the way for Noni Madueke to make the starting eleven. On the opposite flanks, it’s anyone’s guess who will be picked between Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford.
Marc Guehi appeared to be the clear favourite to start at centre-back heading into the tournament. Ezri Konsa was expected to partner him but John Stones has been thrown into the mix. It remains to be seen who Tuchel picks to control his defensive line. Reece James starts at right-back, having rediscovered his form and fitness towards the end of the season. Nico O’Reilly pushes hard for the left-back berth after an impressive season at Manchester City. Jordan Pickford starts in goal – undisputed as England’s No.1 for eight years.
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Croatia team news
Zlatko Dalic leads Croatia into the tournament as one of international football’s most consistent sides. Luka Modric captains the side at 40, now plying his trade at AC Milan. Dalic now deploys Modric in a No.10 role rather than from deep, reducing his physical workload while letting him focus on unlocking defences.
Mateo Kovacicslots in alongside Modric in central midfield, bringing energy and Premier League experience from his time at Manchester City. Young talents Luka Sucic and Martin Baturina add fresh legs and offer Dalic options if he wants to ease the burden on his veterans.
Andrej Kramaric leads the attacking line and sits third on Croatia’s all-time scoring list, behind only Davor Suker and Ivan Perisic. Perisic, now 37 and at PSV Eindhoven, remains a key figure on the left flank.
At the back, Josko Gvardiol makes the squad despite suffering a shin fracture in January, with his fitness expected in time for the tournament. Gvardiol returned to training in early May, with Pep Guardiola saying he hoped the defender was ready to “make a good World Cup”. Duje Caleta-Car and Josip Stanisic look set to line up alongside him, with Dominik Livakovic in goal.
England vs Croatia predicted lineups
England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Croatia (3-4-2-1): Livakovic; Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Stanisic, Modric, Kovacic, Perisic; Sucic, Baturina; Musa.
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