England meets Croatia in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, June 17 at 4 p.m. ET at Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) in Arlington. Both teams will be looking to get their campaigns off to a strong start in a group that also includes Ghana and Panama.
How to Watch
- Match: England vs Croatia
- Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
- Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET
- Venue: Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium), Arlington, Texas
- TV (English): FOX
- TV (Spanish): Telemundo
- Streaming: FOX Sports app, FOX One, Tubi (free for select matches including this one), Peacock (en español)
About England
England, ranked among the top teams in the world, enters the 2026 tournament with high expectations and a squad blending experience and attacking quality. The team qualified comfortably through UEFA and will look to use its technical ability and depth to dominate games. Star players to watch include Harry Kane and a strong supporting cast that gives England multiple ways to break down defenses and create scoring opportunities.
About Croatia
Croatia, one of the most consistent European performers in recent World Cups, arrives with momentum from strong recent cycles and a reputation for tactical discipline and resilience. The team has shown impressive organization and will look to compete in what is expected to be a challenging group. Key figures include experienced players who bring leadership and quality across the pitch.
Match Storyline
This Group L opener features two well-organized European sides with a history of competitive encounters. England will look to use its attacking depth and physical presence at AT&T Stadium, while Croatia will rely on its tactical discipline and counter-attacking threat to trouble stronger opponents. The matchup offers a clear contrast between English power and Croatian resilience, with both sides knowing that an early result could shape their path in the group.
What’s at Stake
A strong opening win would give England early momentum and confidence as it looks to advance comfortably from Group L. For Croatia, a competitive performance would represent significant progress and boost its hopes of reaching the Round of 32. The outcome will immediately influence the group standings and set the tone for both teams’ paths in the expanded tournament.
England will be expected to use its attacking depth and physical edge to secure the three points, though Croatia’s organization and resilience could make this a far more competitive contest than many anticipate.
Key tournament facts to have on hand
- Tournament: 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026
- Hosts: United States (78 matches), Mexico (13), Canada (13)
- Teams: 48, expanded from 32
- Groups: 12 (A through L), four teams per group
- Total matches: 104
- Format: Group stage, Round of 32 (new this tournament), Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Third-place playoff, Final
- Opening match: Mexico vs. South Africa, June 11 at 3 p.m. ET, Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca)
- Final: July 19 at 3 p.m. ET, New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ)
- English-language TV: FOX (70 matches), FS1 (34 matches)
- Spanish-language TV: Telemundo (92 matches), Universo (12 matches)
Streaming: FOX Sports app, FOX One, Tubi (free for select matches including this one), Peacock (en español)
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