The Group L opener under the Dallas Stadium roof on Wednesday evening marks the fourth major tournament meeting this century between England and Croatia, reviving a modern rivalry defined by fine margins.
Eight years after Mario Mandžukić broke English hearts in the 2018 World Cup semi-final, and five years since Raheem Sterling exacted a measure of revenge in the Euro 2020 group stage, the stakes are immediately sky-high.
For Thomas Tuchel, this represents his first major tournament test as England manager, tasked with translating a flawless qualifying campaign into knockout-stage dominance.
England arrive in North America boasting serious momentum. Having become the first European side to win all of their qualifiers without conceding a single goal, Tuchel’s men recently dispatched Costa Rica 3-0 in their final warm-up fixture.
However, Zlatko Dalić’s Croatia are the ultimate tournament survivor, arriving with the immense pedigree of reaching the semi-finals in the last two World Cups
Team news and lineups
England
Tuchel’s tournament planning took an immediate hit with a late muscular injury to full-back Tino Livramento, forcing his withdrawal from the squad.
The medical staff are also managing Bukayo Saka’s minutes as he nurses a stubborn Achilles issue, leaving a massive decision on whether to risk him from the whistle.
Jude Bellingham is likely to get the nod over Morgan Rogers to handle the creative burden at number 10, playing just behind Harry Kane.
The skipper is chasing history tonight, earning his 30th major tournament appearance, an all-time England record, while matching Billy Wright’s legendary feat of captaining the Three Lions at three separate major finals.
- England predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Shaw; Rice, Mainoo; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Croatia
Dalic continues to lean heavily on a legendary, battle-hardened core that simply refuses to age out.
Luka Modric enters his fifth World Cup campaign at 40 years old, still pulling the strings in the midfield alongside Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic.
The defensive heavy lifting falls on Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol, while Ivan Perisic remains a lethal direct outlet. The 37-year-old boasts a stunning tournament resume, racking up 10 goals and eight assists across his major international career.
- Croatia predicted lineup (4-3-3): Livakovic; Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Stanisic, Modric, Kovacic, Perisic; Sucic, Baturina; Musa
England vs Croatia preview
This match is a textbook tactical tug-of-war in the middle third. Tuchel wants England playing with aggressive Premier League intensity, using high-pressing triggers to squeeze the life out of Croatia’s build-up.
The problem is that Modric and Kovacic are absolute masters at retaining the ball under intense pressure, operating like a relief valve to kill the tempo and frustrate enthusiastic pressers.
England’s qualifying metrics are frightening - eight wins, 25 goals scored, and zero conceded - but Croatia are notoriously stubborn in group openers. They went entirely unbeaten in their group stages across the last two World Cups, conceding a microscopic two goals in the process.
If Croatia's veteran midfield can bypass the initial English press, they will immediately look to stretch the pitch and expose space out wide.
If Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo can assert physical dominance, Bellingham will find the pockets needed to feed Kane. History suggests neither manager will risk throwing bodies forward early on.
Expect a highly tactical, low-risk first half where possession is fiercely protected, before England’s superior athletic depth from the bench could wear down Croatia's ageing midfield in the final half-hour.
England vs Croatia picks and predictions
- England to win at 3/4 with Stake – Tipped by The FMW Service
- Under 1 first half goals at 4/5 with Bet365 – Tipped by xGoal Over Pro