England - Croatia: score, highlights and statistics

England and Croatia collide in the opening fixture of Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup - a match in Arlington, Texas that doubles as a crucial early statement of intent for both sides' knockout-stage ambitions.

Match Info: England vs Croatia

England vs Croatia kicks off on 17 June 2026 at 21:00 BST at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The match is the opening game of Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Ghana and Panama.

Where to Watch England vs Croatia?

For US-based viewers, the match is available on FOX and Telemundo on television - making it free-to-air for the vast majority of American households. FOX is the English-language home of the tournament, while Telemundo carries the Spanish-language broadcast.

Online in the USA, fans have a wide range of streaming options: FOX One, Foxsports.com, Fubo TV, and Peacock all carry the match in English, while Telemundo Deportes En Vivo and Futbol de Primera Radio serve the Spanish-language audience. In Canada, the game is streamed via TSN+.

Globally, Croatian supporters can watch on HRTi, Australians can stream on SBS On Demand, Brazilian fans tune in via CazéTV, and viewers in Argentina have access through DIRECTV GO online and DIRECTV Sports Argentina on television. In Europe, the match is available on DAZN España in Spain, DAZN Italia in Italy, and beIN SPORTS CONNECT in France.

England vs Croatia - Match Preview

England arrive with the superior recent form - 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat in their last 5 matches, scoring 10 goals and conceding just 2 - while Croatia head into the tournament on a worrying run of back-to-back defeats against Belgium and Brazil.

Under Thomas Tuchel, England have built a formidable defensive structure and a sharp attacking transition, but the 0:1 loss to Japan in March 2026 was a reminder that the Three Lions can still be caught cold. Group L also features Ghana and Panama, so a win in the opening game would give either side a significant advantage in the race for the top two qualification places.

Croatia, reshaping their squad after the Modric generation, showed competitive resilience in their autumn 2025 fixtures - including a 2:1 win away in Colombia just weeks before the tournament. A 0:2 home defeat to Belgium on 2 June 2026, however, raised fresh doubts about the readiness of Zlatko Dalic's side. The Croatians are experienced and dangerous, but they arrive in Arlington under genuine pressure.

Head-to-Head: England vs Croatia

Across 11 meetings between 1996 and 2021, England have the edge - 6 wins against 3 for Croatia, with 2 draws and a goal tally of 22:13 - but the rivalry is defined less by the overall record and more by the moments that have burned into football memory, above all Croatia's 2:1 extra-time victory in the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Moscow.

The 4 most recent meetings between the two sides:

• 13 Jun 2021 - UEFA Euro 2020 - England 1:0 Croatia
• 18 Nov 2018 - UEFA Nations League - England 2:1 Croatia
• 12 Oct 2018 - UEFA Nations League - Croatia 0:0 England
• 11 Jul 2018 - 2018 FIFA World Cup Semi-Final - Croatia 2:1 England (a.e.t.)

England - Recent Form

England won 3 of their last 5 matches, scoring 10 goals and conceding just 2 - a defensive record that underlines the solidity Tuchel has instilled since taking charge of the national side.

The Three Lions were at their most dominant in their autumn qualifiers. A 5:0 demolition of Latvia away from home and a composed 2:0 victory over Serbia at Wembley demonstrated clinical efficiency in both defensive organisation and forward movement. November's 2:0 win in Albania completed a near-perfect international window.

March 2026, however, provided sterner tests. A 1:1 draw with Uruguay showed defensive vulnerability, and the 0:1 defeat to Japan - England's first loss in several months - added a note of caution. Tuchel's side are strong favourites, but their recent form is not without question marks.

Croatia - Recent Form

Croatia won 3 of their last 5 matches, scoring 9 goals and conceding 9 - an attacking output that is encouraging, but a goals-against tally that points to real defensive fragility heading into a World Cup.

In autumn 2025, Croatia showed their competitive spirit. A 3:1 home win over the Faroe Islands was straightforward, but a 3:2 comeback win in Montenegro - after conceding twice - demonstrated that this squad retains character and fighting mentality. A 2:1 victory away in Colombia in March 2026 added an impressive scalp just before the tournament.

The final weeks before the World Cup told a different story. A 1:3 defeat in Brazil in April and then a 0:2 home loss to Belgium on 2 June 2026 left Croatia arriving in Texas on the back of 2 consecutive defeats. Against an England side of Tuchel's organisation, rebuilding confidence from the first whistle will be a tall order.

Facts and Statistics

5 key facts about the England vs Croatia rivalry:

• In their 11 all-time meetings, the two sides have produced a combined 35 goals - an average of 3.18 per game.
• England's biggest win in this fixture is 5:1, at Wembley in September 2009 during World Cup qualifying.
• The 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final in Moscow is the only knockout-round meeting between the two nations at a World Cup - Croatia won 2:1 after extra time.
• Their most recent meeting, at UEFA Euro 2020 in June 2021, ended 1:0 to England thanks to a Raheem Sterling goal.
• The Arlington fixture is the first time England and Croatia have met in a World Cup group stage.