England vs Croatia. A rivalry that carries a decade of history, painful memories and unfinished business. The Three Lions open their 2026 World Cup campaign on Wednesday 17 June (21:00 BST) against the side that broke English hearts in the 2018 semi-final in Moscow — before England got partial revenge at Euro 2020. With Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and a new generation under Thomas Tuchel, the question is simple: can England start a World Cup the way they need to?
England’s World Cup opening game record
England’s first World Cup appearance came in 1950, with a confident 2-0 win over Chile in Brazil — a start that belied the infamous defeat to the USA (0-1) that followed days later. Since then, England’s opening World Cup matches have told the full story of the nation’s complex relationship with the tournament.
The modern era delivers mixed memories: a 2-0 win over Tunisia in 1998 (Michael Owen and Alan Shearer), a deeply frustrating 1-1 draw against the USA in 2010, and a humbling 1-2 defeat to Italy in the Amazonian heat of Manaus in 2014. Then came Qatar 2022: England dismantled Iran 6-2 in one of the finest opening-game performances in their history, with Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford all scoring.
England’s record in World Cup openers since 1998: P8 W5 D1 L2. Solid overall, but with enough bad days to keep supporters on edge. Croatia on June 17 opens the next chapter.
England vs Croatia: a rivalry with unfinished business
The 2018 World Cup semi-final in Moscow remains one of England’s most painful modern memories. Kieran Trippier’s stunning free-kick gave England a 1-0 lead — but Croatia fought back through Ivan Perišić and Mario Mandžukić scored the winner in the 109th minute. Croatia went to the final; England went home.
Three years later, at UEFA Euro 2020 (played in 2021), England took revenge at Wembley with a 1-0 win in the group stage — Raheem Sterling’s second-half goal ending a run of scoreless World Cup meetings. That result launched England’s run to the final. In Group L of the 2026 World Cup, the dynamic shifts again.
Croatia’s 2026 squad is built around experience rather than youth. Luka Modrić, 40 years old in June 2026, could be playing his final World Cup. His ability to control tempo and dictate possession remains world-class, and England’s midfield — whichever combination Tuchel selects — will need to be at their best to nullify Croatia’s influence in the middle of the park.
England’s 2026 World Cup squad: key players under Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel’s England squad centres on Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), the Three Lions’ all-time leading scorer with over 60 international goals. At 32 years old, Kane arrives in North America having won the Bundesliga and with his finishing as clinical as ever. Alongside him, Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) is England’s most dynamic player — capable of scoring, creating and pressing in equal measure.
The wider group features Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer and Marcus Rashford — an attacking generation with genuine quality. Tuchel, appointed in January 2024, won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 and brings a structured defensive approach that finally addresses England’s vulnerability on the counter-attack.
England’s group stage also includes Ghana on 23 June and Panama on 27 June. Three winnable matches in theory — but Croatia, with their tournament pedigree, represent the stiffest early test.
Can England win the 2026 World Cup? The case for and against
Bookmakers rank England among the top five favourites for the 2026 World Cup title, alongside France, Brazil, Argentina and Spain. The squad has more depth than any England team since the ‘golden generation’ of the mid-2000s — but this time, the tactical structure under Tuchel is clearer and the defensive shape more reliable.
The opening match against Croatia carries real psychological weight. In 2022, the 6-2 win over Iran set the platform for a quarter-final run — and the tournament was effectively over for England once they lost to France at that stage. Starting well is not sufficient to win a World Cup, but starting badly can end the dream before it begins. England know what they need to do on 17 June.
FAQ
When do England play Croatia in the 2026 World Cup?
England face Croatia in their 2026 World Cup Group L opener on Wednesday 17 June 2026. Kick-off is at 21:00 BST.
What is England’s full group stage schedule at the 2026 World Cup?
England play Croatia on 17 June (21:00 BST), Ghana on 23 June (21:00 BST) and Panama on 27 June (22:00 BST) in Group L of the 2026 World Cup.
Has England ever beaten Croatia at a major tournament?
Yes. England beat Croatia 1-0 at UEFA Euro 2020 (played June 2021) at Wembley, with Raheem Sterling scoring. However, Croatia knocked England out of the 2018 World Cup semi-final in extra time, with Mario Mandžukić scoring the winner in the 109th minute.
Who is England’s top scorer going into the 2026 World Cup?
Harry Kane is England’s all-time leading scorer with over 60 international goals. The Bayern Munich striker will lead the attack against Croatia in England’s opening game on 17 June.
Where can I watch England vs Croatia at the 2026 World Cup?
England vs Croatia is broadcast live in the UK on BBC One and ITV, both of which hold free-to-air rights for the 2026 World Cup. Live streaming is available on BBC iPlayer and ITVX at no cost.
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