Eight years have passed since that semifinal in Moscow. Croatia came from a goal down in extra time, knocked England out of the 2018 World Cup, and went all the way to the final. Wednesday afternoon in Arlington, Texas gives England the chance to open their 2026 campaign against the same opponents — and the fixture carries exactly the kind of emotional weight that either liberates or paralyses a squad. Today's game tells us whether England have put that scar behind them or whether it still tightens something.
England arrive as genuine favourites. A perfect qualifying campaign — eight wins from eight, 22 goals scored, none conceded — set the tone. Jude Bellingham, now 22 and a two-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, is the heartbeat of this squad. Harry Kane captains the side having broken Wayne Rooney's all-time England scoring record. Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer — the attacking options are genuinely frightening when everything clicks in the final third.
Croatia's Farewell Tour and Modric's Last Stand
Croatia are not what they were in 2018. That squad was built around a ferocious midfield three — Modric, Rakitic, Kovacic — that had no equal for fitness and skill across a tournament. Kovacic is still around. Rakitic is retired. And Luka Modric, now 40, captains this side one final time in what is widely expected to be his farewell at a World Cup. Whatever you think of his age, Modric remains a player who turns football into something worth watching, and Croatia's threat flows through him entirely. If England allow him time on the ball in front of their backline, they will pay for it. Croatia dropped just two points in qualifying and conceded only four goals — these are not a side coming here to make up the numbers.
Prediction: England Win But Croatia Make Them Earn It
The match kicks off at 4pm ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington — a venue holding nearly 90,000 spectators that generates an atmosphere rewarding big occasions. England's squad depth, quality in the final third, and tournament preparation make them the side to back. But Croatia will not be steamrolled. Expect a tight first half, England growing into the game as Croatia tire, and a decisive moment from Bellingham or Kane after the interval. England win 2-0, but Modric and company will make every minute feel earned. Group L also contains Ghana and Panama, so three points here effectively hands England control of the group and sets them up for a deep run in the tournament.
Match preview: England vs Croatia | 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas | Kick-off: 4pm ET / 9pm BST | England odds: -138 | Croatia: +375
0 Comments