Croatia and England meet in a Group L fixture at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Wednesday 17 June 2026, staged at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It is the fifth competitive meeting between the sides in recent tournaments and carries particular weight given the rivalry built across the last three major international competitions.
What is FIFA World Cup 2026?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the 23rd edition of football’s flagship men’s tournament, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States between 11 June and 19 July 2026. It is the first World Cup featuring 48 nations, divided into 12 groups of four. The top two sides from each group plus the eight best third-placed finishers advance to a 32-team knockout stage, with the final at MetLife Stadium on 19 July.
Group L features England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama in one of the more intriguing pools of the draw.
When is Croatia vs England?
Croatia vs England kicks off at 16:00 ET (21:00 BST) on Wednesday 17 June 2026, which corresponds to a 15:00 local start in Texas. It is England’s opening Group L fixture in the 2026 tournament.
Where is Croatia vs England?
The match is played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. The venue has a World Cup capacity of around 92,000, making it one of the largest host stadiums of the 2026 tournament, and features a retractable roof and climate control. The stadium will host multiple group and knockout matches.
Key Contenders
England qualified through UEFA group play under head coach Thomas Tuchel, who replaced Gareth Southgate in 2024. The Three Lions squad is built around Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Phil Foden, supported by a deep pool of Premier League talent. England reached the Euro 2024 final, losing to Spain, and arrive as one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Croatia remain a deeply experienced side led by Luka Modric and shaped by their 2018 World Cup runners-up run and 2022 third-place finish. Zlatko Dalic’s squad features Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, and Andrej Kramaric among others. While the generation is ageing, Croatia’s big-tournament pedigree makes them a dangerous opener for England.
How to Watch
UK viewers can watch live on BBC or ITV, with streaming via BBC iPlayer and ITVX. In the United States, Fox Sports carries English-language coverage and Telemundo the Spanish-language feed. Canadian viewers have access through TSN and CTV. Croatian coverage is handled by HRT. FIFA+ provides global highlights and clips.
History and Records
England and Croatia have met repeatedly at recent tournaments. Croatia beat England 2-1 in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Moscow. England won 1-0 in their opening match at Euro 2020, then drew 0-0 with Croatia in the Euro 2024 group stage. Croatia’s best World Cup result was runners-up in 2018, while England’s best was winning the tournament on home soil in 1966.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets are available via FIFA’s official portal at FIFA.com/tickets. England fixtures are traditionally among the most in-demand at World Cups, and hospitality packages sell out early. Group-stage prices start from around 60 US dollars with premium categories costing significantly more. Official resale is available via FIFA’s resale platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Croatia vs England start?
The match kicks off at 16:00 ET (21:00 BST) on Wednesday 17 June 2026.
Where is Croatia vs England being held?
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
How can I watch Croatia vs England?
BBC or ITV in the UK, Fox and Telemundo in the US, TSN and CTV in Canada, HRT in Croatia.
Who won the last Croatia vs England World Cup meeting?
Croatia beat England 2-1 after extra time in the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Moscow.