World Cup Preview: England VS Croatia - prediction, team news, lineups

[(England) Strength]:
1. In the 2018 World Cup semi-final, Croatia came from behind to eliminate England in extra time. This defeat remains a painful memory for England fans, and this match gives England a strong desire for revenge and victory.
2. England captain Harry Kane is in good physical condition, having just completed the highest-scoring season of his career, making him a main contender for the Ballon d'Or. Kane missed a warm-up match against Japan due to a 'minor issue' but has fully recovered after adequate rest. The coaching staff plans to rotate Kane appropriately during the group stage to ensure he remains in peak condition for the knockout rounds.
3. In a warm-up match against Costa Rica on June 10, England won 3-0. Gordon assisted Rice for the opening goal on the left, then scored a penalty to complete a goal and assist, with Watkins sealing the win in stoppage time. The team had 28 shots but only converted three into goals, highlighting ongoing finishing issues, though their control of the game had significantly improved compared to the first warm-up match.
4. During England's pre-tournament preparations in Florida, their biggest enemies were not the opponents but the high heat and humidity. In their first open training session on June 3 in 32°C heat, midfielder Rice suffered sunburn, and several other players also showed signs of sun exposure. The team used high-tech palm cooling devices during training and matches to quickly lower core body temperature by cooling the blood vessels in the palms, helping players recover rapidly during high-intensity games.
5. In World Cup qualification (UEFA) Group K, after Southgate's departure and Tuchel's takeover in January 2025, England delivered a dominant performance: winning all eight matches, scoring 22 goals and conceding none, securing top spot in the group two rounds early. They were the best defensive team in the World Cup qualification (UEFA). Currently ranked 4th in the FIFA World Rankings, they are one of the favorites to win the World Cup.
6. The two teams have met 11 times historically, with England winning 6, drawing 2, and losing 3, scoring 22 goals and conceding 13, with a goal difference of +9. England hold a psychological advantage in head-to-head records.
 

[(England) Neutral]:
1. In England's official 26-man squad announcement, both Foden and Palmer were surprisingly left out, causing shock across English football. Foden's performances in major tournaments have consistently fallen short of expectations, with his role in the national team unclear. Palmer's form declined significantly in the latter half of the season, especially during Tuchel's on-site observation, leading to his unfortunate omission.
2. England's preparations have been the most dramatic among all title contenders. From shocking squad selections, to a stolen work vehicle, to a tornado warning at their base camp, Tuchel's team have faced a less-than-smooth path to the tournament.
 

[(Croatia) Strength]:
1. On June 2, the Croatian Football Association announced the 26-man World Cup squad, led by captain Luka Modric, who is about to turn 41 and is participating in his fifth World Cup. Compared to the squad that finished third in the last tournament, 14 players have been retained, with the core framework still supported by Modric, Kovacic, Perisic, Kramaric, goalkeeper Livakovic, and defender Gvardiol.
2. In World Cup qualification (UEFA) Group L (alongside Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar), Croatia dominated with 7 wins and 1 draw, scoring 26 goals and conceding 4, accumulating 22 points to finish top. They secured direct qualification for the finals one round early (beating the Faroe Islands 3-1 on November 14, 2025).
3. Croatia possess top-tier tournament 'DNA/resilience,' consistently shining in recent World Cups (runners-up in 2018, semi-finalists in 2022). They are adept at handling pressure in crucial moments, extra time, and penalty shootouts, making them a team that is 'very hard to finish off in one go.'
4. Croatia have seen five of their last six matches end with OVER , indicating a relatively open style of play.
 

[(Croatia) Neutral]:
1. According to coach Dalic, the three absolute core players, Modric, Kovacic, and Gvardiol, are all severely lacking match fitness. Kovacic, in particular, has barely played this season, yet Croatia desperately need his support. Croatia's vaunted midfield trio will face England at 'half strength,' which is a fatal weakness for a midfield that requires high-intensity running and sustained physical battles.
2. Croatia played two warm-up matches before the World Cup, losing 0-2 to Belgium and narrowly beating Slovenia 2-1. The matches clearly exposed issues: insufficient fitness, inconsistent defensive focus, and heavy reliance on veteran players in attack.
 

[(Croatia) Weakness]:
1. Croatia's squad depth is inferior to England's. If key players are injured or suspended due to a second yellow card, the substitutes and younger players lack sufficient tournament experience, making it difficult to seamlessly maintain the same level of intensity.
2. To neutralize England's wide attacking threat, Croatia will likely need to adopt a deeper defensive line and more compact positioning, which will inevitably give England numerous corner kicks and second-phase attacks from outside the box, increasing the risk from set pieces.
 

[Tips]:
England recently defeated Costa Rica 3-0, showing a clear improvement in control on the pitch. Although their finishing efficiency still needs improvement, their overall form is positive. The team won all eight World Cup qualifiers without conceding a goal, with a perfect defensive performance. Ranked fourth in the world, they are title contenders and hold a historical advantage in head-to-head matches.

Croatia performed well in the World Cup qualifiers and have shown great resilience in major tournaments, delivering impressive results in the last two World Cups. However, their warm-up matches exposed issues such as lack of fitness, defensive instability, and over-reliance on veteran players for attack. To limit England's wide play, Croatia are likely to adopt a deep defensive approach, which could create opportunities for England from set pieces and long-range shots.

Considering overall strength, form, and match dynamics, England are more likely to secure a victory.
 

[Recommended]:
England (-0.5/1)