Having met in the 2018 semi-final, European heavyweights England and Croatia go head-to-head once again in their opening World Cup 2026 fixture.
Group L
Thursday, 18 June | Dallas Stadium
Kick-off time
04:00 (GMT+8)
The match
European heavyweights England and Croatia begin their FIFA World Cup 2026™ campaigns with this mouth-watering showdown at Dallas Stadium. Croatia, who finished third at Qatar 2022 and were beaten finalists in Russia 2018, qualified unbeaten as UEFA preliminary Group L winners. Thomas Tuchel’s England, meanwhile, emerged with a 100 per cent record from UEFA Group K, boosting morale ahead of their latest quest to emulate the nation’s only global triumph from 1966.
Possible England starting XI
Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Gordon
Possible Croatia starting XI
Livakovic; Stanisic, Caleta-Car, Sutalo, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic; Budimir
Dallas Stadium
Dallas Stadium is a jaw-dropping example of stadium architecture that will witness nine World Cup 2026 matches. Since opening in 2009, it has been the home of five-time Super Bowl winners the Dallas Cowboys, and has also hosted the Concacaf Gold Cup and Mexico national team matches. The iconic venue will play host to five group-stage games, two Round of 32 fixtures, one Round of 16 tie and the first semi-final on Tuesday, 14 July.