The 2026 World Cup could have 13 completely different kickoff instances. You need to use the Al Jazeera Sport widget to seek out out precisely when your crew is enjoying in your native time.
Who: England vs Croatia
What: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match
The place: AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas
When: Wednesday, 3pm native time (20:00 GMT)
Find out how to comply with: We’ll have all of the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT prematurely of our stay textual content commentary stream.
Advisable Tales
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Chants of “It’s Coming House” will ring round elements of England on Wednesday because the European heavyweights start their 2026 World Cup title bid with a check towards acquainted foes, Croatia.
It has been 60 years since England had been final topped world champions, however they’re real contenders for the title this 12 months.
Whereas coach Thomas Tuchel’s squad choice divided fan opinion within the run-up to their journey to North America, bookmakers nonetheless consider this crop of English expertise, headlined by Harry Kane, can obtain a deep run within the event.
Their first hurdle, although, is a difficult one.
As soon as labelled underdogs, Croatia have grown into considered one of worldwide soccer’s most constant event performers, ending as World Cup runners-up in 2018 and incomes third place on the final version, in 2022, in addition to 1998.
Their 40-year-old captain Luka Modric might be heading into his final event, however he stays the heartbeat of the crew, and as has been the case for years, Croatia pose a menace underneath his management.
Al Jazeera tells you the whole lot it is advisable to learn about England vs Croatia:
Kane: 2026 World Cup ‘probably the greatest alternatives’ for England triumph
After a string of near-misses at latest European Championships and World Cups, England head into the 2026 event chasing their first world title since 1966.
They’re led by captain Kane, who has arrived in North America in a number of the finest type of his profession, and contemporary off the excessive of lifting his second Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich.
“For certain, it’s probably the greatest alternatives we could have as a crew to win it,” Kane instructed reporters, speaking about England’s odds of successful the event.
“I believe everybody is keen to simply begin effectively and show that we have now the capabilities of going far on this event.”
The 32-year-old has urged his crew, who had a one hundred pc file within the qualifiers, to “go for it” and be “free within the thoughts” after they launch their World Cup title cost in Texas.
Tuchel, too, is aware of the expectations from followers are excessive, with England among the many high contenders within the 48-team event.
Their finest run in latest instances has been reaching the semifinals in 2018, whereas their final marketing campaign ended within the quarterfinals in 2022 – each underneath former supervisor Gareth Southgate.
“We have now a proper to dream, however we don’t wish to be delusional,” Tuchel has mentioned.
Croatia coach Dalic warns about goal-machine Kane, calls Modric his ‘proper hand’
Croatia’s head coach Zlatko Dalic has warned his crew to be cautious of goal-scoring machine Kane, who netted a whopping 61 instances in 51 matches in all competitions for Bayern Munich final season.
“They’ve the most effective striker on the earth, they’ve Kane, and Kane can do a hell of rather a lot,” mentioned Dalic. “We are going to do rather a lot, we’ll do our greatest not solely to defend ourselves however to assault, to go ahead.
“There can be set items, which can be fairly troublesome, however we’re ready for that. I count on a terrific recreation, and it will likely be nice preparation for the following two video games within the group.”
Simply as Kane is central to England’s hopes of a deep run, veteran Modric is essential to Croatia’s World Cup goals. After enjoying a key position in Croatia’s earlier World Cup campaigns, Modric is ready for his fifth and probably remaining look.
The ageing midfielder, additionally the Balkan nation’s captain, nonetheless enjoys a hero’s standing amongst a facet that has typically defied expectations on the worldwide stage. And by Dalic’s personal admission, the crew nonetheless depends closely on him, not least for his playmaking prowess.
“He means rather a lot, each as a captain of our crew and as an individual,” Dalic mentioned of Modric, forward of his 199th look for the crew.
“He’s my proper hand on the pitch.
“It means rather a lot to the crew that we have now a few older gamers alongside Luka who’re main the youthful gamers, and so they can do excellent issues,” Dalic added.
“They’re very fortunate to have him, Luka, as a task mannequin in the right way to battle for the nationwide crew jersey, and we’re fortunate to nonetheless have him with us.”
England vs Croatia prediction
Stats supplier Opta’s supercomputer has handed England a 55.9 p.c likelihood of successful towards Croatia, who’ve a 20.8 p.c probability of successful. There’s a 23.3 p.c likelihood of a draw.
General, England are fourth within the checklist of title favourites – with a ten.02 p.c likelihood – behind Spain, France and Argentina.
England vs Croatia: Kickoff time, TV itemizing
In the UK, England vs Croatia kicks off at 9pm BST and can be proven on STV, STV Participant, ITV1 and ITVX.
For followers in Croatia, the match is scheduled for 10pm and can be proven on HRT.
In the US, viewers can tune into FOX One, Telemundo App, Telemundo Community, FOX and Peacock.
To examine the TV listings to your nation, head to FIFA’s TV itemizing schedule right here.
How does the World Cup group stage work?
England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama are in Group L.
The highest two groups from every of the 12 teams – together with the eight finest third-placed groups – proceed to the following part, the spherical of 32, which has been launched on the World Cup for the primary time.
Kind information:
(Final 5 video games, newest first)
England: W-W-L-D-W
Croatia: W-L-L-W-W
England have a barely higher file than Croatia of their final 5 matches. Each groups have received three video games every, however England misplaced and drew the opposite two, whereas Croatia suffered defeats in each video games.
England received towards Costa Rica and New Zealand in pre-World Cup friendlies earlier this month, however misplaced to Japan in an sudden lead to late March. Earlier than that, they drew with Uruguay in a pleasant and beat Albania in a World Cup qualifier.
Croatia received towards Slovakia however fell to Belgium of their World Cup warm-up matches, whereas additionally dropping to Brazil in a pleasant in late March. However earlier than that, they beat Colombia in a pleasant and received towards Montenegro in a World Cup qualifier.
England vs Croatia: Head-to-head
Wednesday would be the twelfth assembly between the 2 sides, with England holding a giant benefit over Croatia of their head-to-head file.
England have received six instances towards Croatia, who’ve received thrice. Two matches led to a draw.
They’ve met on the World Cup thrice earlier than, with England dropping their final event encounter 2-1 on the 2018 World Cup semifinal in Moscow.
England vs Croatia: Workforce information
On Tuesday, England defender Tino Livramento was dominated out of the event after struggling a calf damage and was changed by Trevoh Chalobah. The Newcastle United right-back sustained the damage throughout a coaching session on the crew’s Kansas Metropolis base on Sunday.
No damage issues within the Croatia camp.
England predicted XI
(4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Croatia predicted XI
(4-2-3-1): Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic; Budimir
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