England vs Croatia predictions and betting tips – Tuchel’s team enter World Cup 2026

Having watched virtually every other team compete for the first time at World Cup 2026, England and Croatia will finally get their campaigns under way on Wednesday. 

This is a rematch of the 2018 semi-final, when Croatia came from behind to beat England 2-1. Will things be different this time? Thomas Tuchel certainly hopes so. Here is our preview of the game.

• England to win – 7/10 with Paddy Power
• Under 2.5 goals – 8/11 with Betfred
• Harry Kane to score any time – 5/4 with BetVictor

England vs Croatia head to head overview

• Date: Wednesday 17th June.
• Kick-off: 9pm.
• Venue: Dallas Stadium, Arlington, USA.
• Where to watch: ITV1 and ITVX.
• Referee: Clement Turpin.
• VAR: Yes.
• Last meeting: 13th June 2021; England 1-0 Croatia.
• Last 10 matches: England – 6 wins; Croatia – 3 wins; Draws – 1.
• Favourite to win: England.

England vs Croatia predicted lineups

• England expected lineup: Pickford; James, Stones, Konsa, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
• Croatia expected lineup: Livakovic; Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Stanisic, Modric, Kovacic, Perisic; Sucic, Baturina; Musa.

England vs Croatia predictions

It has been a long wait for England and Croatia to get started at World Cup 2026, so both teams will be chomping at the bit to kick things off on Wednesday.

England head into the competition as third-favourites to lift the trophy, at least with bookmakers in the UK. Thomas Tuchel’s team are certainly among the leading contenders; whether or not they are more likely champions than Brazil, Argentina and Portugal is more dubious.

Still, England have arrived at the tournament in decent shape. They breezed through qualification, winning all eight games without conceding a single goal.

There have been some ropey performances and results in friendly matches over the last 12 months, but England will back themselves to turn up when it really matters.

Thomas Tuchel’s squad selection raised a few eyebrows, but it was yet further confirmation that the strong-minded German intends to do things his way.

With eight of the 12 best third-place finishers joining group winners and runners-up in the knockout phase, it is hard to envisage England going home before the round of 32.

Tuchel will want to top the group, though, and the fact England play Croatia first means they cannot ease their way into the competition.

After finishing second in 2018 and third in 2022, no one will write Zlatko Dalic’s side off this summer. Luka Modric is still going strong at 40, while Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric – fellow members of the 100-cap club – also look set to start here.

Croatia will hope that the experience and mentality of that experienced quartet rubs off on the rest of the squad.

England vs Croatia betting tips

Who will triumph when England and Croatia butt heads in Texas on Wednesday?

England to edge it

There is unlikely to be much between these two teams. Croatia have a knack for hanging in there and not letting games get away from them, so England are unlikely to stroll to victory.

There has been a maximum of one goal difference between England and Croatia in their last four meetings, and that may well be the case again this week.

Our first tip, though, is a straightforward England victory. The main difference between the sides is in the final third, where Tuchel has more firepower at his disposal than Dalic.

Croatia will take the ball away from England at times, but a lack of punch in attack could ultimately be their undoing.

Back England to win at 7/10 with Paddy Power

Expect tight tussle in Texas

There is quite a big drop-off from England and Croatia to Ghana and Panama, so it would be a major surprise if these two teams did not finish in the top two.

The winner of this game will be in pole position to finish first, while the loser will be playing catch-up. Defeat would not be fatal, but a victory would take the pressure off.

England and Croatia will probably spend the first half feeling one another out. Avoiding mistakes will be a priority for both sides.

All in all, this looks set to be a tight, low-scoring encounter, perhaps with a maximum of two goals.

Tip under 2.5 goals at 8/11 with Betfred

Kane to be difference-maker

Who else? This is not exactly an original pick, but Harry Kane is England’s most likely match-winner on Wednesday.

It is hard to envisage the Three Lions having a successful tournament without Kane starring. Take him out of the team and England are a much weaker proposition.

Kane heads into this World Cup in marvellous form, even by his own sky-high standards, having scored a preposterous 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern Munich in 2025/26. 

Whether it is a well-placed finish, a smart header or a converted penalty, Kane is our pick to find the back of the net against Croatia.

Go for Harry Kane to score any time at 5/4 with BetVictor

England vs Croatia latest odds

Find the latest England vs Croatia betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

More World Cup 2026 predictions

We have plenty more World Cup 2026 predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

Important historical facts about England and Croatia for betting

Croatia have not kept a clean sheet in their last six matches. England are unbeaten within 90 minutes in each of their last six games against Croatia.

Croatia have not lost a group game at the World Cup since a 3-1 defeat by Mexico in 2014.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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