17 June : England vs Croatia - Expert consensus predicts a hard-fought, low-scoring victory for England over Croatia.

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Expert consensus predicts a hard-fought, low-scoring victory for England over Croatia. Most football analysts expect the Three Lions to win, with a 1-0 or 2-1 result being the most common forecast. The opening match of Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be a tense, tactical battle.

Key Match Factors

• England's Defense: England went undefeated in their qualifying campaign under Thomas Tuchel, with a goal difference of 22-0. They are incredibly difficult to break down.
• Croatia's Midfield: The Chequered Ones possess legendary craft in the center of the pitch. The battle between England's Declan Rice and a 40-year-old Luka Modrić will likely determine the pace of the game.
• Weather Conditions: The afternoon heat in Arlington, Texas, will test the legs of Croatia's aging core.

Predicted Lineups

• England (4-2-3-1): Pickford (GK); James, Stones, Guehi, O'Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane (FW).
• Croatia (4-2-3-1): Livakovic (GK); Stanisic, Pongracic, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic; Budimir (FW).

Match Info

• Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
• Kick-off: 9:00 PM BST (3:00 PM local time in Texas)
• Venue: AT&T Stadium, Dallas/Arlington