England and Croatia to Clash in 2026 World Cup Opener

England vs. Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

According to Главком: Scheduled for June 17, 2026, the opening match of the 2026 World Cup will pit England against Croatia at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, USA. Bookmakers at GGBET have installed England as the favorites, with odds of 1.76 for a win. Croatia's victory is priced at 5.42, while a draw stands at 3.60. This tournament marks the first time the World Cup is hosted across three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Pre-Tournament Friendlies

Both sides have used warm-up matches to prepare. England secured two wins:

• a 1-0 victory over New Zealand;
• a 3-0 triumph against Costa Rica.

Goal scorers for England in these games included Kane, Rice, Gordon (via a penalty), and Watkins. The team is managed by Thomas Tuchel.

Croatia, meanwhile, played two friendlies, losing 0-2 to Belgium before beating Slovenia 2-1. Modrić and Mario Pašalić found the net for Croatia. The squad is led by head coach Zlatko Dalić.

The two nations have met 11 times in history. Their first encounter ended in a 0-0 draw back in 1996. In 2003, England claimed a 3-1 victory. Croatia's first win came in 2006 during qualification for Euro 2008. During the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, England dominated with 4-1 and 5-1 wins. Notably, in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup, Croatia staged a comeback, scoring twice after England took the lead.

Overall, England has won 6 of these head-to-head matches, while Croatia has secured 3 victories. The England vs. Croatia match will be broadcast on the Megogo streaming service, with coverage starting at 23:00 Kyiv time on the Megogo Football 1 channel.

This clash between England and Croatia promises to be not only a crucial start for both teams in the World Cup but also an intriguing chapter in their storied rivalry. - Source unknown

Given both teams' experience in major tournaments, each is eager to showcase their strengths on the international stage.

As the excitement builds for the opening match, it's essential to consider how England has positioned itself within Group L. With the odds heavily favoring them, this adds an extra layer of anticipation for fans. For a deeper look into England's standing and prospects in the tournament, check out our article on England's status as the leading contender in Group L.