England v Croatia confirmed teams as Three Lions open campaign, full line-up, TV channel, live streaming and stats
England begin their latest campaign to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966 as they face Croatia in their Group L opener.
Thomas Tuchel’s side face a familiar foe in Arlington, Texas, having lost to Croatia in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup before beating them en route to the Euro 2020 final.
England have reached at least the quarter-finals of their last four major tournaments since exiting the last 16 at Euro 2016, and Tuchel is looking to end their long wait for a title after the pain of another Euro 2024 runner-up under Gareth Southgate.
Unlike England, Croatia are not expected to compete for the title, as this tournament could be the last for captain Luka Modric and vice-captain Ivan Perisic on the big international stage.
Still, Croatia represent dangerous opponents for England’s opener, and 101GreatGoals has full team news from what should be an exciting encounter.
England team news
England: Pickford; James, Konsa, Stones, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson, Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon, Kane
England substitute:
News of the Croatian team
Croatia: Livakovic; Sutalo, Vuskovic, Guardiol; Stanisic, Modric, Sucic, Perisic; Pasalic, Baturina; Don’t.
Change for Croatia:
Where to watch England v Croatia: TV and streaming online
England v Croatia kicks off tomorrow night at 9pm UK time. You can watch it on ITV1 and broadcast on ITVX.
Click HERE for the full World Cup TV guide
England v Croatia stats
- This is the seventh time Croatia is playing in the World Cup. In their last six appearances, they have either been eliminated from the group stage (three times) or reached the semi-finals (three times), including a run to the final in 2018.
- Croatia and France are the only teams to have reached the semi-finals in each of the last two editions of the World Cup.
- Croatia has won all four World Cup penalties; a joint-best record in the history of the competition and Germany.
- Luka Modrić has completed more breakaway passes in the past three World Cups than any other player – the Croatia captain has broken through opposition lines 199 times in 17 games.
- England will be playing in their 17th World Cup – and it marks their eighth consecutive participation, the longest run in their history.
- Since winning their only World Cup in 1966, England have advanced to the quarterfinals only twice: 1990 (fourth place) and 2018 (fourth place).
- England kept nine clean sheets in their 10 games in 2025, including a shutout in eight UEFA World Cup qualifiers, making them the only team not to qualify for UEFA qualification; England’s competition at 2.1 xG was also the most expected goals of all European teams.
- England have won both and kept a clean sheet in their last 10 matches, becoming only the second European country to do so after Spain between October 2014 and June 2016.
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