/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2023%2F11%2Fadam.jpg){kind=avatar}
/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F05%2Fimago1077723132-e1780500962446.jpg)
England kick off their World Cup 2026 campaign against Croatia at the AT&T Stadium in Group L, aiming to win just their second-ever World Cup trophy.
The Three Lions won their only World Cup in 1966, and it has been 60 years of hurt that new head coach Thomas Tuchel is hoping to end.
Meanwhile, Croatia have more than shown their worth in recent World Cups, reaching the semi-finals in 2022 and final in 2018, but the relatively small nation by population have never won the tournament before.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions, as well as our best fifa world cup betting offers.
England vs. Croatia key stats
- England have won their last two games by an aggregate score of 4-0.
- Croatia have lost two of their previous three matches (W1).
- England have also won the previous two H2Hs, with the last coming in 2021.
England vs. Croatia preview: Three Lions to take three points?
| England | vs | Croatia |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | FIFA Ranking | 11 |
| Harry Kane (114) | Most Caps | Luka Modric (198) |
| Harry Kane (79) | Most Goals | Ivan Perisic (38) |
| 842 | Total Caps | 1160 |
| 149 | Total Goals | 153 |
| 0 | Uncapped Players | 1 |
England were installed as the third-favourites to win the World Cup before a ball was kicked according to the bookies, behind fellow European heavyweights Spain and France.
They boast a star-studded squad with a genuine world-class striker in Harry Kane, and are led by a man who knows how to win in Tuchel.
Bukayo Saka is the only fitness concern with his minutes being managed in England's most recent 3-0 friendly win against Costa Rica, but the Three Lions boast plenty of other talent across the pitch.
They will be favourites to beat Croatia, although will be wary of their impressive recent record in World Cups, while also holding the wounds of being beaten by their opponents in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
As such, Croatia reached the final against expectations, but lost 4-2 to France, and followed that up with another semi-final appearance in 2022.
Zlatko Dalic was the manager at the helm in both tournaments, and he remains in charge of Croatia for what will be a third World Cup.
The squad has some familiar names like veteran captain Luka Modric, who could earn his 199th senior international cap, while younger talents like Luka Vuskovic have also emerged.
Duje Caleta-Car is Croatia's only injury concern, so they should be able to field a strong XI that could test England.
England vs. Croatia form guide & betting tips
| England | vs | Croatia |
|---|---|---|
WDLWW |
Form | WWLLW |
| 7 | Goals For | 8 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 9 |
N/A |
World Cup 2026 | N/A |
Whispers predicts: England 1-0 Croatia
England are 3/4 (1.75) favourites to win, but while we agree with the bookies, we would like to explore some slightly more ambitious bets.
Our first pick is BTTS – No at 4/5 (1.80), with England's last 13 wins in all competitions being to nil.
Kane could make the difference in a tight game, with eight goals scored across the last two World Cups.
Kane to score anytime at 13/10 (2.30) therefore could hold excellent value.
Overall, we are predicting a Correct score 1-0 at 23/4 (6.75), with England's previous two H2H wins decided by just a single goal.
> BTTS – No at 4/5 (1.80) | Likelihood: Probable
> Kane to score anytime at 13/10 (2.30) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – 1-0 at 23/4 (6.75) | Likelihood: Outsider