England vs Croatia – Free World Cup 2026 Prediction – June 17, 2026

England vs Croatia: a tense reunion to kick off the World Cup

Eight years on from Croatia’s semi-final win in Moscow, England meet the Vatreni again to open their 2026 World Cup. This first Group L fixture brings together two sides used to the big stage. On one side, the Three Lions are still chasing an end to decades of waiting. On the other, Croatia keeps refusing to fade, with two podium finishes in the last two editions.

Thomas Tuchel’s side arrive with high hopes. But before they can look any further ahead, they have to get past a first hurdle with real pedigree. Even if a few Croatia veterans are nearing the end of their international careers, this team has proved time and again that it knows how to turn up when the pressure cranks up.

England arrive with plenty of solid reference points

Qualifying left very little room for drama. Eight wins, eight clean sheets and a spot booked before anyone else among Europe’s nations: it hardly gets much better. But that run has not completely wiped away the doubts stirred up by spring’s friendlies, especially after a draw with Uruguay and a surprise defeat to Japan.

Since then, England have looked more composed. The win over Costa Rica in their final warm-up match restored a bit of calm before the trip across the Atlantic. Harry Kane remains the attacking benchmark, while Jude Bellingham’s energy and Declan Rice’s growing influence in midfield give this side a strong base. At the back, the Three Lions keep looking ruthless. They have not conceded in several matches, and that defensive stubbornness is probably their biggest asset heading into this World Cup.

Croatia still refuses to go away

Plenty of people keep predicting the end of the Croatia cycle. And yet the Vatreni always seem to find another act. Finalists in 2018, third in 2022, Zlatko Dalic’s men remain a brutally awkward opponent. Luka Modric is still there to steer the ship, with Josko Gvardiol, Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric among the key names around him. Some of the patterns have looked a little off at times over the past few months, but Croatia still carry that calm, seasoned edge that lets them hang with more gifted squads on paper.

Their warm-up games did expose a few limits, though. Beaten by Brazil and then Belgium, they finished with a win over Slovenia thanks to a late Mario Pasalic strike. Nothing flashy, but it was a reminder that they can still swing a match on a single moment.

Probable lineups:

England : Pickford; James, Stones, Konsa, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

Croatia : Livakovic; Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Stanisic, Modric, Kovacic, Perisic; Sucic, Baturina; Musa

World Cup 2026 Prediction: England vs Croatia

Both teams to not score

This is a tasty fixture, but it could end up tighter than many expect. England have more attacking weapons, while Croatia know exactly how to handle this kind of occasion and have no reason to open up on matchday one. England’s recent defensive run also demands respect. Very few sides have managed to breach them lately, and Croatia are not quite as sharp going forward as they were in previous tournaments.

With every point already carrying real weight, this feels like a game that could be fought in tight spaces, with both teams taking a cautious approach.

MathODDS App

Your picks,
in your pocket.

Predictions · Trends · Tools · Injury reports
Real-time notifications & alerts

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

MathODDS

→

★★★★★

First, a word on our predictions

• What we publish on mathodds is analysis, nothing more. We give an opinion, a snapshot of the moment, but never a guarantee. Sport is what it is: unpredictable. A red card, an injury, a goal from nowhere… and the whole script changes.
• Let’s be clear: there is no such thing as a risk-free bet. Even when something looks obvious, it isn’t. And yes, that means you can lose. In fact, you will at some point.
• The sensible move is to keep it under control. Bet small, set a budget and stick to it. Do not touch money you need for everyday life. And above all: do not chase your losses, because that rarely ends well.
• A bet should stay a game, not a job or a source of income. If it starts taking up too much of your day, if it winds you up or puts you under pressure, take a break. And if you need to, speak to a specialist organisation. That is what they are there for.
• At the end of the day, responsibility sits with you. Reading our content means accepting that risk exists and will always exist, even with the best analysis in the world.
• Important reminder: betting is illegal for minors and must follow the law in your country. Gambling can spiral fast, leading to money problems, family tension and addiction. Need Help? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. In the UK? Visit https://www.gambleaware.org/https://www.gambleaware.org/.

No commitment from us

Our predictions are not a contract. They have no legal force. In plain terms: you cannot use them to claim anything if a bet loses.

Information changes

A prediction is always based on what we know when it is written. But in the meantime, a team sheet changes, a player gets injured, the weather turns… and the analysis can quickly become outdated. We cannot be held responsible for that.

Your responsibility

Before betting, simply check that betting is legal where you are. If it is not, that is your responsibility, not ours.

Responsible gambling first

We cannot say it enough: gamble in moderation. If you are struggling to keep control, do not wait to seek help. We cannot be responsible for compulsive or excessive use of the information published on the site.

Legal age

mathodds content is for adults only. By browsing here, you confirm that you are old enough to bet under the law.

About the images

The images and logos on mathodds, including those of England and Croatia linked to international matches, are there only to illustrate our articles. They do not mean we have an official link with a federation or a sports body, and we claim no rights over them.

Those rights belong to the original creators. If, despite our checks, any image causes an issue, contact us: it will be removed without delay.

Our only aim with these images is to make the read more enjoyable. Nothing more. No commercial gain, no taking credit for other people’s work.”