England vs. Croatia Prediction, Odds, Picks For World Cup Match
England will face Croatia in a marquee Group L opening match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2026, at Dallas Stadium on FOX.
Harry Kane Sport News
England enter World Cup fray as Ronaldo makes history
LOS ANGELES: England begin their bid to end a 60-year wait for a trophy when they take on Croatia in their World Cup opener on Wednesday while Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play in a record-equalling sixth tournament. Portuguese great Ronaldo, 41, has a tough act to follow after his old nemesis Lionel Messi scored a spectacular hat-trick for Argentina on Tuesday to equal the all-time World Cup goalscoring record, making a mockery of his 38 years. Between them, Ronaldo and Messi have won the Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player 13 times. Ronaldo is expected to start against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Houston, captaining a richly talented Portugal squad that are trying to win football's biggest prize for the first time. One of that squad is pivotal midfielder Bernardo Silva, who signed for Real Madrid on a two-year deal on Wednesday, a month after his contract with Manchester City expired. England skipper Harry Kane, meanwhile, urged his England teammates to "go for it" and be "free in the mind" when they take on the beaten 2018 finalists Croatia in the vast AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kane's team are among the favourites for the World Cup after a string of near-misses at recent tournaments but history weighs heavy on a side who last won football's biggest prize on home soil in 1966. "For sure it's one of the best opportunities we will have as a team to win it," Kane said on Tuesday. "I think everyone is eager to just start well tomorrow and prove that we have the capabilities of going far in this tournament. "Ultimately, for me, the message is just to be free in the mind." In other games on Wednesday, Ghana face Panama in Toronto in England's Group L before first-time qualifiers Uzbekistan tackle
Goal machines Messi, Haaland and Mbappe give their teams perfect starts
LOS ANGELES, June 16 : Superstars shone in Tuesday's World Cup matches, with soccer greats Lionel Messi of Argentina, Norway's Erling Haaland and Frenchman Kylian Mbappe scoring for fun.
Croatia's Dalic warns team of Kane threat before England opener
Arlington, Texas, June 16 : Zlatko Dalic warned his Croatia team over the enduring goal-scoring qualities of Harry Kane as the 2018 World Cup runners-up prepare to take on England in their Group L opener at Dallas Stadium on Wednesday.
Zlatan Ibrahimović Doesn't Need Alexi Lalas? Lie Detector Test Reveals All
People tend to be more honest in the late hours of the night.
England face Croatia in World Cup opener with early group control at stake
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, June 15 : England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Arlington, Texas on Wednesday, a heavyweight Group L opener that could set the tone for both teams' tournament ambitions.
Tuchel's 'Grade E' ref Turpin to take charge of England's World Cup opener
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, June 14 : England's opening World Cup match against Croatia on Wednesday will be refereed by Frenchman Clement Turpin, who was once labelled "Grade E" by Thomas Tuchel who is now their coach.
Keeper Neuer makes Germany return, Musiala in starting lineup against Curacao
HOUSTON, Texas, June 14 : Germany attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala earned a starting spot for Sunday's World Cup Group E opener against Curacao despite still struggling for form since a broken leg last year kept him out of action for more than six months.