England start World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas
England face Croatia in Group L as Harry Kane and Luka Modric lead two experienced sides into their 2026 World Cup opener.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
England begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday in a Group L match at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Al Jazeera reported that the fixture brings together two recent World Cup semifinalists, with England seeking a first global title since 1966 and Croatia again relying on Luka Modric’s tournament experience.
The match is scheduled for 3pm local time in Texas, 20:00 GMT, according to Al Jazeera. In the United Kingdom, coverage is listed for 9pm BST on STV, STV Player, ITV1 and ITVX; in Croatia, HRT is due to show the game at 10pm. Al Jazeera reported that viewers in the United States can watch through FOX, FOX One, Telemundo Network, the Telemundo App and Peacock.
Kane leads England into Tuchel’s first World Cup
Al Jazeera reported that England enter the tournament under Thomas Tuchel after a qualification campaign in which they won every match. Tuchel’s squad selection drew debate before the team travelled to North America, but England remain among the leading contenders in betting markets, according to Al Jazeera.
Harry Kane arrives after a strong club season with Bayern Munich. Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said Kane scored 61 times in 51 matches in all competitions for Bayern last season, and described him as “the best striker in the world.”
Kane told reporters that the 2026 tournament is “one of the best opportunities” England will have to win the World Cup. He said the team wanted to begin well and show it could make a long run, while also urging England to “go for it” and play with a free mindset.
Tuchel has also acknowledged the scale of expectation around England. “We have a right to dream, but we don’t want to be delusional,” he said, according to Al Jazeera.
Modric remains central for Croatia
Croatia arrive with a record of high finishes at recent World Cups. Al Jazeera reported that they were runners-up in 2018, finished third in 2022 and also placed third in 1998.
Modric, now 40, is set for his fifth World Cup and his 199th appearance for Croatia, according to Al Jazeera. Dalic said the midfielder remains central to the team, calling him “my right hand on the pitch.”
Dalic also said Croatia would not only try to contain England. He said his team would look to attack as well as defend and expected set pieces to be difficult against Tuchel’s side.
Prediction, form and team news
Opta’s supercomputer gives England a 55.9 percent chance of winning, according to Al Jazeera. Croatia are rated at 20.8 percent, while the draw is put at 23.3 percent. Opta ranks England fourth among title favourites at 10.02 percent, behind Spain, France and Argentina.
Al Jazeera listed England’s last five results as W-W-L-D-W and Croatia’s as W-L-L-W-W. England beat Costa Rica and New Zealand in pre-tournament friendlies, lost to Japan in March, drew with Uruguay and beat Albania in qualifying. Croatia beat Slovakia, lost to Belgium and Brazil, and before that beat Colombia and Montenegro.
England defender Tino Livramento has been ruled out of the tournament with a calf injury sustained in training in Kansas City, Al Jazeera reported. Trevoh Chalobah has replaced him in the squad. Al Jazeera reported no injury concerns for Croatia.
England and Croatia are in Group L with Ghana and Panama. Under FIFA’s expanded format, as described by Al Jazeera, the top two teams in each of the 12 groups and the eight best third-placed teams advance to the round of 32.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.