Group L standings
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What each team needs
England
A win in their opening match would put England in a strong position to advance from Group L.
Croatia
An opening win over England would be a major statement and strengthen Croatia's chances of progressing.
Team comparison
| Stat | England | Croatia |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA Ranking | 4 | 9 |
| World Cup Titles | 1 | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 17 | 7 |
| Best WC Finish | Champions (1966) | Runners-up (2018) |
| Manager | Thomas Tuchel | Zlatko Dalić |
| How They Qualified | UEFA — Group B winners | UEFA — Group G winners |
| 2022 World Cup | Quarterfinals — lost to France | 3rd place — beat Morocco |
| Captain | Harry Kane | Luka Modrić |
Prediction
England 1 — 1 Croatia
Both teams are closely ranked (4th vs 9th). A tight match is expected.
Match facts
England have appeared at 17 World Cups. Croatia have appeared at 7.
England are ranked 4th in the world. Croatia are ranked 9th.
England have won the World Cup 1 time.
This match takes place at AT&T Stadium, which is one of the 16 World Cup 2026 venues.
How to watch
| Region | Broadcast |
|---|---|
| USA (English) | FOX / FOX Sports App |
| USA (Spanish) | Telemundo / Peacock |
| UK | BBC / ITV (TBC) |
| Worldwide | FIFA+ (select territories) |
Venue
AT&T Stadium · Arlington · Capacity: 70,122
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