World Cup 2026: England vs Croatia Odds, Best Bets & Prediction

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It is time for the conjecture to stop for England, who get their 2026 World Cup campaign underway against Croatia in Dallas.

Group L has a very favourable look to it for both of these teams, with Ghana and Panama housed in it, making this an important one for both outfits.

Thomas Tuchel has come under plenty of scrutiny regarding the 26-men he has picked in his squad but he will be hoping his faith is repaid in this tournament opener.

Croatia have enjoyed plenty of recent World Cup success, finishing 2nd in 2018 and 3rd in 2022 - making them a dangerous prospect.

This is one of the biggest games of the opening round with many World Cup betting sites and the stakes are sky high.

England

There is a palpable sense of expectation surrounding this England side and this will be a huge game for their World Cup aspirations.

Thomas Tuchel has made his presence felt as the manager of the Three Lions but there are still plenty of unanswered questions.

Winning a major tournament remains very much on the list for England, who missed out narrowly at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 but their World Cup record has been poor for decades.

They have some incredible talent in their ranks though and are amongst the favourites to go all the way with many World Cup prediction outlets.

Team News: All 26 players are expected to be available for Thomas Tuchel ahead of this one.

Predicted Lineup: Pickford, Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O'Reilly, Anderson, Rice, Bellingham, Saka, Rashford & Kane.

Croatia

By contrast, Croatia are a side that always seem to step up in the biggest tournaments and they relish the pressures of World Cup football.

They overcame England in the last four in 2018 to reach the final, before backing that up with a very decent run in Qatar in 2022 - finishing third.

There is a feeling however that their golden generation is beginning to age a touch but writing them off completely is never wise.

Team News: Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic should both be back to full fitness ahead of this one.

Predicted Lineup: Livakovic, Stanisic, Gvardiol, Pongracic, Erlic, Modric, Kovacic, Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic & Budimir.

• H2H - England have won three of the last 5 meetings between these two sides, with their last win coming at Euro 2020 at Wembley.
• The Three Lions have only lost one World Cup opener since 1986.
• Croatia are looking to progress from the World Cup group stage for the third World Cup in a row.
• Harry Kane is chasing his second World Cup Golden Boot, having claimed the gong in 2018.

The eyes of the footballing world will be upon England here, who will be desperate to get off to a fast start against this dangerous Croatian side.

For Croatia, keeping things tight and looking to play when they have the chance will be the game plan but England should find a way to get over the line.

Industry in midfield with Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson, as well as the big-game influence Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane can have, may prove decisive.

Gaining a first game win will be huge, especially with Group L looking so winnable and England should get off the mark here.

This could be a tight one, making under 2.5 goals in the game a decent shout at 3/4, while England also look pretty good value to win at 7/10.

England to win the match & under 2.5 goals to be scored (11/4)

Opening World Cup games are normally cagey affairs and both England and Croatia won't want to ship too many goals here.

Both sides utilised solid defences during qualifying and they will be looking to carry that over into the tournament proper.

England's superior firepower and pace in front of goal could prove decisive but Croatia won't roll over and this could be a low-scoring win for the Three Lions in Arlington.