England vs Croatia 2026 World Cup: Date, Time, Venue, Odds, Prediction & How to Watch

England and Croatia renew their rivalry in a high-profile Group L opener at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This matchup pits one of the tournament favorites against a tactically disciplined side with vast experience in major tournaments. England boasts a deep, talented squad featuring stars like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Phil Foden, managed by Thomas Tuchel.

Croatia, led by Zlatko Dalić, relies on veterans such as Luka Modrić (still influential despite his age), Joško Gvardiol, and Mateo Kovačić for organization, set-piece prowess, and counter-attacking threats.The teams have a competitive history, including Croatia's memorable 2-1 extra-time victory over England in the 2018 World Cup semi-final and England's 1-0 win in the Euro 2020 group stage.

This encounter is expected to be cagey and tactical, with England holding the edge in squad depth and attacking firepower, while Croatia aims to frustrate and exploit transitions. Group L (England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama) is viewed by many as a tough "group of death" for the opening phase, making a strong start crucial for both sides.

When is England vs Croatia 2026 World Cup?

The match is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

Where is England vs Croatia 2026 World Cup?

The game will be played at AT&T Stadium (also known as Dallas Stadium) in Arlington, Texas, USA. The venue, home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, has a capacity of around 80,000 for soccer and features a retractable roof (expected to be closed for this afternoon kickoff to manage heat).

When does the England vs Croatia game start?

Local time (Arlington, Texas): 3:00 PM CDT

Eastern Time (ET): 4:00 PM ET

UK Time (BST): 9:00 PM BST

This timing gives UK viewers a prime evening slot.

How to watch England vs Croatia 2026 World Cup?

United Kingdom:

The match will be broadcast free-to-air on ITV1 (also STV in Scotland and UTV in Northern Ireland).

Live stream available on ITVX and the STV Player.

Coverage is shared between BBC and ITV for the tournament.

United States: English language: FOX (TV) with streaming on the FOX Sports App, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, or other services carrying FOX.

Spanish language: Telemundo or Universo, with all matches (including this one) available on Peacock.

Other regions: Croatia: HRT

Australia: SBS

Canada: CTV, TSN, RDS (French)

Global options include FIFA+ for live match center updates and select free content. Some broadcasters may stream the first 10 minutes free on YouTube.

England vs Croatia odds, picks, prediction

Moneyline Odds (approximate, as of late March 2026; subject to change):
England to win: 4/7 (1.57) or around -145

Draw: 3/1 (4.00) or +300

Croatia to win: 15/4 (4.75) or +375 to +440

England enters as clear favorites, reflecting their superior squad quality and depth.

Croatia is seen as a dangerous underdog capable of grinding out results.Picks and Prediction:

Most models and analysts give England a win probability of around 58-60%, with a draw at ~23% and Croatia at ~18-20%. A narrow England victory is the most likely outcome—common projected scores include 1-0 or 2-1 to England. Value may lie in under 2.5 goals (given Croatia's defensive organization) or England to win to nil.

England should dominate possession and chances, but Croatia's experience in big games (reaching the 2018 final and 2022 semi-finals) means they can punish mistakes on the counter. Expect a tight, low-scoring affair early on, with England eventually breaking through if they maintain intensity.

Tournament context:

England is a top favorite to win the World Cup outright (around +550 to +600), while Croatia is a long-shot at approximately +9000 (100/1). England is heavily favored to top Group L. This promises to be an intriguing tactical battle to kick off both campaigns.

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