England kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Croatia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday, with kick-off set for 4 PM Eastern Time.
The fixture carries real weight. Croatia eliminated England at the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Moscow, winning 2-1 after extra time. That result ended a run of genuine English optimism and helped define the Zlatko Dalic era in Croatian football.
England arrive at this tournament without Tino Livramento. The Southampton full-back was ruled out with a calf injury, and Trevoh Chalobah has been called up as his replacement. Chalobah brings Champions League experience and has filled in well when selected for club and country, but it is still an adjustment on the right side of defence.
Croatia are navigating transition. Luka Modric is still in the squad at 40, but the generation that carried Croatia to the 2018 final and 2022 third place has thinned. Joško Gvardiol and Lovro Majer now carry much of the creative and defensive responsibility. Dalic has kept the team competitive through disciplined structure, and that approach remains the template here.
Group L also includes Ghana and Panama, who play their opener later on Tuesday at BMO Field in Toronto at 7 PM ET. The England-Croatia result will shape the pathway to the round of 32 for both sides. Winning early means reduced pressure going into the second game.
England’s recent tournament history is a study in near-misses. A 2021 Euro final loss to Italy, a 2022 World Cup quarter-final exit to France, and a 2024 Euro final defeat to Spain have all kept the prize just out of reach. Several players in this squad experienced those defeats and are arriving with clear motivation to go further.
Croatia will not concede the role of underdog. Dalic’s teams have consistently outperformed expectations by staying compact and taking their moments. England should start as favourites, but the history of this fixture makes it anything but routine.
Kick-off is at 4 PM ET on June 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Fox Sports carries the match in the United States, and ITV has broadcast rights in the United Kingdom.
