England vs Croatia Prediction Betting Tips & Preview

England vs Croatia Odds

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England face Croatia on Wednesday 17 June 2026 in their World Cup Group L opener, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with kick-off at 9pm UK time.

England rock up after a record breaking qualifying run, while Croatia arrive with a squad full of experience, making this one a tough one to call. So without further ado, let’s get into both teams World Cup history, likely lineups, and how they’ve matched up before. And for anyone wanting to get involved in the action, we’ll also share our top England vs Croatia predictions.

England vs Croatia Team News

England

Thomas Tuchel has a strong pool of players and a pretty ruthless streak when it comes to roles. He wants two players for every position, plus three flexible options, and he has been crystal clear about a midfield built around three core positions.

Key points:

• Qualification form

  • England won all eight games in Group K and did not concede a single goal, scoring 22. That is a European first for a qualifying group of at least six games. England became the first European nation to complete a World Cup qualifying campaign of six games or more without conceding a single goal.

• Leadership core

  • Jordan Pickford in goal, John Stones at the back, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in midfield and Harry Kane up top form the spine and leadership group. Kane has spoken out about wanting to put things right after missing a crucial penalty in England’s 2–1 quarter-final defeat to France at the 2022 World Cup.

• Friendlies

  • England will prepare for the tournament with warm-up matches against New Zealand and Costa Rica before heading to their World Cup base in Kansas City.

Croatia

Zlatko Dalić is still in charge and still leaning on that core that carried Croatia to the 2018 final and 2022 third place. Croatia head into the tournament with one of the most experienced cores in international football.

• Experience

  • Luka Modrić once again captains Croatia heading into what is widely expected to be his final World Cup appearance, while Mateo Kovačić, Andrej Kramarić and Ivan Perišić bring huge tournament experience to the squad.

  • There is also a younger core beginning to emerge around them, with players like Luka Sučić, Martin Baturina and Luka Vušković all included in Zlatko Dalić’s final selection for North America.

• Defensive base

  • Joško Gvardiol is the standout at the back, now firmly in the “world class defender” bracket.

  • Dominik Livaković continues in goal after his heroics in 2022.

• Recent results

  • A strong qualifying run with a big positive goal difference and notable wins like 5–1 vs Czech Republic and 7–0 vs Gibraltar shows they still know how to control weaker opponents and punish mistakes.

Croatia’s final 26-man squad mixes major tournament experience with a younger group beginning to establish themselves at the highest level.

Confirmed Squad and Likely Lineups

Tuchel has now confirmed his 26-man squad for the tournament, with a blend of experienced tournament players and several first-time World Cup selections.

Harry Kane captains England at his third World Cup, while Jordan Henderson is set for a record-equalling fourth appearance at the finals. Jordan Pickford, John Stones and Marcus Rashford will also appear at their third World Cup tournament.

There is also fresh energy throughout the squad, with players like Tino Livramento, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers and Nico O’Reilly all preparing for their first senior international tournament.

Harry Kane remains England’s first-choice penalty taker and there is no real debate there — whenever England win a spot-kick, the captain will take responsibility.

England probable XI

System: 4 3 3

• GK: Pickford

• DF: James, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly

• MF: Anderson at 6, Rice as the 8, Bellingham as the 10

• FW: Saka right, Gordon, Kane through the middle

Rashford, Rogers, Watkins, Eze and Madueke all give Tuchel dangerous attacking options from the bench if the game opens up in the second half.

Croatia probable XI

System: 4-3-3

• GK: Livaković
• DF: Stanišić, Šutalo, Gvardiol, Ćaleta-Car
• MF: Modrić, Kovačić, Mario Pašalić
• FW: Perišić, Kramarić, Budimir

There is enough depth for Dalić to tweak between a more cautious three in the middle or a slightly braver shape with two attacking eights.

Budimir gives Croatia a more physical focal point up front, while players like Petar Musa and Marco Pašalić offer attacking depth from the bench if Dalić wants to change the pace of the game late on.

England vs Croatia

So how do they stack up on the big stage now?

• World Cup history

  • Croatia have finished runners up in 2018 and third in 2022, three podiums in total from six World Cups.

  • England’s last big high was the Euro 2020 final and the 2018 semi, but they now arrive with one of the best qualification records in Europe.

• Head to head

  • In the last two meetings England have beaten Croatia both times, including 1–0 at Euro 2020 and 2–1 in the Nations League.

  • Look at the last four clashes and it is 2 wins for England, 1 draw, 1 win for Croatia.

Style wise, England under Tuchel press smarter, defend higher and use those running midfielders. Croatia slow games down, lean on Modrić’s brain and trust their wide players to turn half chances into something bigger.

England vs Croatia Betting Tips

Don’t expect any crazy angles here.

• Tight game feel

  • Recent head to heads are usually decided by one goal or end level.

• England’s defence

  • Eight qualifiers. Eight wins. Zero goals conceded. That record will tempt anyone who likes solid back lines.

• Croatia’s tournament temperament

  • They have shown over and over they do not panic in big games and rarely get blown away.

So you naturally lean towards cautious scorelines and a game that might take a while to really open up.

England vs Croatia Match Prediction

If you look at England’s recent form, the way Tuchel has tightened them up defensively, and the depth in attacking areas, it is hard not to lean slightly towards them here.. At the same time, you know what Croatia can do on this stage. They stay in games and they punish lapses.

Add it all up and a narrow England win feels like the most realistic shout. Not a walkover, but one of those nights where Kane or Bellingham finds a moment and the back line holds.

Match Prediction: England to win. Bet with bet365.

England vs Croatia Correct Score Tips

The sensible scoreline band is pretty small.

• 1 0 England

• 2 1 England

• 1 1 draw

These correct score tips all sit nicely with England’s defensive record and Croatia’s ability to stick around.

Correct Score Prediction: England 1-0 Croatia. Bet with bet365.

England vs Croatia Over & Under Goals Betting Tips

Given everything above…

• Under 3.5 goals feels very reasonable.

• Under 2.5 is also fair if you think both teams go full control mode.

• If you want a slightly safer line, over 1.5 goals still fits the idea of a tight but not totally cagey match.

There is not much in either team’s recent competitive record that screams chaos.

Over/Under Prediction: Under 3.5 Goals. Bet with bet365.

England vs Croatia Bet Builder Tip

If you’re looking to build a bet, consider this England v Croatia bet builder:

• England or Draw in the result market

• Under 3.5 goals in the match

• Either Kane or one wide forward to register at least one shot on target

This combo keeps things aligned with England’s strength without disrespecting Croatia’s ability to drag the game deep.

Bet Builder Tip: England double chance, under 3.5 goals, and Harry Kane to score anytime. Bet with bet365.

Key Stats

• • • England won all eight World Cup qualifiers in Group K and did not concede.

    • Croatia were runners up in 2018 and third in 2022, giving them three podium finishes from six World Cups.

    • England have won their last two games against Croatia. In the last four, England have 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat.

    • The match kicks off 9pm UK time at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on 17 June 2026.

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Visit our football previews & predictions page for more betting tips on upcoming matches.

Who will win between England and Croatia?

On current form and depth, England look slightly more likely to take it, but Croatia’s World Cup record means it should be close rather than comfortable.

What time is the England vs Croatia match?

The game kicks off at 9pm UK time on Wednesday 17 June 2026, which is around mid afternoon local time in Texas.

Where is the England vs Croatia game being played?

The match is at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, one of the indoor venues being used for the 2026 World Cup.

How have England and Croatia done recently at World Cups?

Croatia reached the final in 2018 and finished third in 2022. England made the semi finals in 2018 and have been regulars in the latter stages of major tournaments.