England vs Croatia — World Cup 2026

FILE No. M-823CLASS: GROUP MATCHSTATUS: GROUP STAGEWC 2026

England

4–2

Croatia

Match events

H. Kane (pen)12'1–0
H. Kaneassist D. Rice42'2–1
J. Bellinghamassist E. Anderson47'3–2
A. GordonOn: M. Rashford72'
N. MaduekeOn: B. Saka72'
D. RiceOn: M. Rogers72'
J. BellinghamOn: D. Spence80'
M. Rashfordassist B. Saka85'4–2
J. StonesOn: M. Guehi87'

1–136'M. Baturinaassist P. Sucic
2–245+5'P. Musaassist I. Perisic
58'L. ModricOn: M. Kovacic
66'L. VuskovicOn: M. Pasalic
66'P. MusaOn: I. Matanovic
78'M. BaturinaOn: N. Vlasic
79'M. PasalicOn: A. Kramaric

EnglandMatch statsCroatia

52%Possession48%

22Shots10

11Shots on Target5

8Corners2

10Fouls12

England — starting XI

4-2-3-1

Bench

17Morgan Rogers
7Bukayo Saka
11Marcus Rashford
25Djed Spence
6Marc Guéhi
13Dean Henderson
23James Trafford
15Dan Burn
26Jarell Quansah
21Eberechi Eze
14Jordan Henderson
16Kobbie Mainoo
22Ivan Toney
19Ollie Watkins

Croatia — starting XI

3-4-2-1

Bench

8Mateo Kovačić
24Marco Pašalić
20Igor Matanović
13Nikola Vlašić
9Andrej Kramarić
23Dominik Kotarski
12Ivor Pandur
5Duje Ćaleta-Car
3Marin Pongračić
25Martin Erlić
18Kristijan Jakić
21Luka Sučić
7Nikola Moro
19Toni Fruk
11Ante Budimir

All-time meetings

England wins

Draws

Croatia wins

02 · Tale of the Tape

Tale of the tape.

27.2

Average Age

28.3

03 · The Form Guide

Last five walks into the room.

Who's hotter going in? Latest competitive results, newest first.

England

Jun 17

vs Croatia

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · AT&T Stadium

4–2

Jun 10

vs Costa Rica

Friendlies · Friendly International · Inter&Co Stadium

3–0

Jun 6

vs New Zealand

Friendlies · Friendly International · Raymond James Stadium

1–0

Mar 31

vs Japan

Friendlies · Friendly International · Wembley Stadium

0–1

Mar 27

vs Uruguay

Friendlies · Friendly International · Wembley Stadium

1–1

Croatia

Jun 17

at England

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · AT&T Stadium

2–4

Jun 7

vs Slovenia

Friendlies · Friendly International · Stadion Varteks

2–1

Jun 2

vs Belgium

Friendlies · Friendly International · Stadion HNK Rijeka Dean Šćulac

0–2

Apr 1

at Brazil

Friendlies · Friendly International · Camping World Stadium

1–3

Mar 26

at Colombia

Friendlies · Friendly International · Camping World Stadium

2–1

05 · Key Battles

Three duels that decide it.

Three pivotal duels will shape this group-stage clash: midfield mastery between two Real Madrid architects, winger flair tested against defensive nous on the flank, and a centre-back's composure under forward pressure.

Central midfield · The maestro duel

Two Real Madrid stars clash in the engine room. Bellingham's athleticism and box-to-box range will test Modrić's experience and passing range, but the Croatian veteran's game intelligence and precision could blunt England's creative thrust. A battle of youth versus wizardry.

Right flank · Pace versus positioning

Madueke's directness and explosiveness down the right will be met by Šutalo's smart, aggressive defending. The Ajax man has the positioning to crowd the winger early, but one moment of hesitation could be punished by Madueke's electric acceleration and final ball.

Centre-back versus striker · Test of composure

Stones' ball-playing poise will face Kramarić's intelligent movement and pressing. The Hoffenheim forward hunts aggressively, but Stones' experience and positional awareness should keep him on a short leash. Expect composed distribution to thwart Croatia's pressure.

06 · Style Clash

England's Modern Intensity vs Croatia's Timeless Craft

Tuchel's England seeks to dominate through intensity and transitions, while Dalić's Croatia will look to control tempo through midfield mastery and geometric precision.

// The Pressing Collective

England

// The Patient Builders

Croatia

Vertical

Build-up speed

Lateral

Aggressive

Midfield press

Spatial

Explosive

Transition tempo