England vs Croatia: What to Expect Before the Three Lions’ World Cup Kickoff
Almost a week after the football festival began, England is ready to start their World Cup journey against Croatia on Wednesday evening – and SPORTbible is here to bring you all the action as the Three Lions aim to end 60 years of heartbreak.
After watching teams like Scotland, the USA, and Germany get things going, England finally steps onto the field at the 2026 World Cup in Dallas Stadium, Arlington.
Thomas Tuchel’s first tournament as manager has raised some eyebrows, especially with surprising squad choices, following the closely missed chances during the Southgate years. But fans are feeling hopeful. In a survey called Operation Ladisfaction with Ladbrokes, over 1,000 UK fans told us what moments would bring them joy at the World Cup. The top feelings? Excitement (52%), hope (52%), and cautious optimism (37%).
Younger fans, especially those aged 18-24, are even more confident heading into the first match. Interestingly, many said the draw date was the most exciting part—more thrilling than the tournament itself!
So, until kickoff at 9pm on Wednesday, England fans are upbeat. But how will they feel after 90 minutes? As we gear up for a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final and Euro 2020 group decider, SPORTbible has the lowdown on England vs Croatia.
Croatia’s team mixes experienced stars like Luka Modric, Andrej Kramaric, and Ivan Perisic, all likely appearing in their last World Cup, with fresh young players. One to watch is 19-year-old Luka Vuskovic, a promising defender expected to play a big role. He’ll likely handle marking England’s Harry Kane, who he knows well from playing against him in the Premier League.
England’s squad, shaped by Tuchel, aims to take some pressure off Kane by featuring speedy wingers rather than traditional midfield stars like Phil Foden. Midfielder Morgan Rogers will also be important — he’s been in top form lately and could be key to creating and scoring goals.
England’s midfield has often been a weak spot in the past, especially against teams like Croatia. But this time, with Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, and exciting attacking options, they have a balanced lineup that could compete with the world’s best.
Croatia will try to exploit any openings, relying on their ball skills and Modric’s clever play.
Before the tournament, 67% of fans guessed England would reach at least the semifinals, and 13% believed they’d win it all. While that’s hopeful, we think England’s fitness and midfield strength might just outmatch an older Croatian squad. The match might start slowly because of the heat, but expect England’s quality to show in the second half, leading to a comfortable 2-0 win.
England is the favorite to win with Ladbrokes, but it’s not a sure thing—Croatia could still cause problems. The match kicks off at 9pm BST (3pm local time) on Wednesday, June 17, so get ready for an exciting Group L opener!