England vs Croatia – Prediction, where to watch, kick-off time and line-ups 17-06

England and Croatia kick off their World Cup 2026 campaign in this opening group stage match. The fixture takes place this Wednesday, 17 June, at 9 PM (BST) at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.

This game is a repeat of the dramatic 2018 World Cup semi-final, where Croatia advanced after a 1-1 draw. Both nations will be eager to begin their tournament with a positive result. Our prediction for England vs. Croatia points towards a very tense battle.

Find out where to watch the match and what our experts are predicting, as well as the probable line-ups expected for today"s encounter.

England vs. Croatia - Head-to-head record

The history between these two nations has seen them cross paths on 11 previous occasions. The overall record heavily favours the English, who have secured six victories compared to Croatia’s three.

Recent history also smiles on England, who are unbeaten in the last three meetings. During this period, they have managed two wins and one draw, including a 1-0 victory during the Euro 2020 group stage. This unbeaten streak in the England vs. Croatia fixture highlights their recent dominance.

Home advantage has historically played a significant role in this matchup. England have been particularly strong on home soil, winning three of the six games played there and losing only once.

England - Riding a wave of confidence

We will now take a closer look at their current form, recent results, and tactical setup for this opening game. We will also analyse the expected England vs. Croatia line-ups.

Recent form

England arrives at the World Cup with impressive momentum, having won 16 of their last 21 international matches. Their qualification campaign for the tournament was particularly dominant, as they secured their place with several commanding victories. This successful run included comprehensive 5-0 wins over both Latvia and Serbia, showcasing their potent attacking firepower.

Recent preparations have also yielded positive results, with friendly wins against New Zealand and Costa Rica boosting team morale. While they experienced a narrow 1-0 loss to Japan and a draw with Uruguay in other friendlies, their overall form suggests they are well-prepared. This solid build-up will be crucial heading into the opening England vs. Croatia fixture.

A significant advantage for the English side is near-full squad availability (only Chalobah and Livramento missing), allowing them to select from a full-strength lineup. Key players like Jude Bellingham have looked particularly sharp in the warm-up games, adding creativity from midfield. This clean bill of health and strong form provides a solid foundation for their first match.

Results of the last five matches

Probable line-up for England

R. Pickford; R. James, E. Konsa, J. Stones, N. O’Reilly; D. Rice, E. Anderson, J. Bellingham, J. Gordon, B. Saka; H. Kane.

Manager: Thomas Tuchel.

Croatia - Coming with mixed results

Let’s analyse Croatia’s current situation. We will look at the team’s momentum, their recent results, and standout players for this opening World Cup fixture.

Recent form

Croatia enters the World Cup with a respectable record, having secured 12 wins in their last 21 international games. Their qualification campaign for the tournament was particularly strong, where they demonstrated their quality with a series of dominant performances. They recorded convincing victories over nations like Montenegro and the Czech Republic, proving their mettle in competitive matches.

However, their more recent form in friendly internationals has been a mixed bag, creating some uncertainty about their momentum. While they managed a 2-1 win against Slovenia, they also fell to defeats against strong sides like Belgium and Brazil. These results indicate that they may have some vulnerabilities when facing elite opposition.

The Croatian side benefits from having a fully fit squad to choose from, with no injuries reported for this opening fixture. The experience of key figures such as goalkeeper Livaković will be crucial for maintaining defensive solidity. This combination of a strong qualification run and inconsistent recent form makes them an unpredictable, yet capable, opponent.

Results of the last five matches

Probable line-up for Croatia

D. Livaković; J. Šutalo, L. Vušković, J. Gvardiol; J. Stanišić, L. Modrić, M. Kovačić, I. Perišić, A. Kramarić, P. Sučić; A. Budimir.

Manager: Zlatko Dalić.

England vs. Croatia - Stats

• England have been the dominant side in this fixture, winning 6 of the 11 all-time meetings.
• Croatia have only managed to secure victory on 3 occasions, with the other 2 matches ending in a draw.
• The Three Lions are unbeaten in the last three encounters against their opponents, with two wins and two draws.
• These last four matches between the sides have seen an average of 1.75 goals per game.
• England enter the tournament in strong form, having won 16 of their last 21 international matches.

Predictions for England vs. Croatia - Three Lions to Win

England enters this World Cup opener in excellent form, boasting a strong defence that has kept many recent clean sheets. This solidity suggests a tight match, making the “Under 2.5 Goals" market an interesting option for this encounter.

Croatia, on the other hand, has shown some inconsistency against stronger opponents in their latest friendlies. England will look to assert dominance early, so a lead for them at half-time is a real possibility.

Considering England"s dominant head-to-head record and their impressive current momentum, they are clear favourites. Therefore, our main prediction is for an England victory in this opening World Cup match.

England x Croatia
Tip	Tip	Best Odd
Double Chance & Over/Under	Under 2.5 goals in total	at BetMGM
Money Line	England to lead at half-time	2.28 at BetMGM

The odds mentioned were collected at the time of writing this prediction and are subject to change. Always check the bookmaker"s site for up-to-date information.

Best markets to bet on England vs. Croatia

Discover more recommended bets on England vs. Croatia for this anticipated clash.

🔥 Double Chance & Total Goals: 1X & Under 2.5 - 0.00 at BetMGM

England"s strong form and solid defence suggest they will avoid defeat. Given past low-scoring encounters, the “Game & Goals – Double Chance & Over/Under – Full Time – 1X – -1.5" market offers good potential.

🔥 Corners: England - 1.48 at BetMGM

As England aims to control the match, they should generate more attacking chances. Betting on “Corners – Money Line – Full Time – 1" for them to win the corner count is a smart choice.

Where to watch England vs. Croatia?

Here is where to watch England vs. Croatia live:

• TV: ITV X (GBR), STV (GBR), ITV 1 (GBR), UTV (GBR), STV Scotland
• Streaming: BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR), STV Player

England vs. Croatia - Match details

Check out the match details:

• Match: England vs. Croatia
• Competition: World Cup 2026
• Date: 17/06/2026
• Kick-off: 9 PM (BST)
• Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX, United States
• Broadcast: STV Player, STV Scotland, ITV 1 (GBR), ITV X (GBR), UTV (GBR)
• Referee: Clement Turpin

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