England kicks off its 2026 World Cup campaign with a prestigious clash against Croatia in Texas. A match that inevitably evokes many memories for English fans, particularly the 2018 World Cup semi-final where the Croatians ended the Three Lions' dream.
Once again, England is among the tournament favorites. After a perfect qualifying campaign, without a single defeat or conceding a single goal, Thomas Tuchel's team arrives in the United States with high ambitions. The objective is clear: to end a wait that has lasted since their 1966 World Cup victory.
Thomas Tuchel's arrival as England manager has sparked considerable debate across the Channel. The German coach made several bold choices in his squad selection, leaving out some regular starters. However, the initial results are encouraging. The two warm-up matches preceding the tournament resulted in clean sheets and victories, suggesting that the former Chelsea FC manager seems to have found a promising balance.
England can also take heart from a reassuring statistic. The Three Lions have lost only one of their last eight opening matches in the World Cup. Even better, since the end of Euro 2024, only one European team has managed to beat them.
But Croatia has never been an easy team to beat. Semi-finalists in the last two World Cups, the checkered team boasts exceptional experience in major international tournaments. The Croatians finished their qualifying campaign undefeated and remain one of the most formidable teams when it comes to handling the pressure of big competitions.
Even though their friendly matches have revealed some defensive weaknesses, with a goal conceded in each of their last four preparation matches, Zlatko Dalić's men have repeatedly proven that they know how to raise their level of play in major tournaments.
All eyes will be on Harry Kane. The England captain has scored eight goals in the last two World Cups and remains the Three Lions' main attacking weapon. On the other side, Luka Modrić could further cement his place in history by playing in his fifth World Cup, a feat achieved by very few players.
Recent statistics also offer some interesting trends. Only one of England's last ten matches has seen both teams score, while six of Croatia's last seven games have ended with over 2.5 goals. Two contrasting approaches that could make this clash particularly captivating.
Between an England that dreams of finally conquering a new world title and a Croatia that is always formidable in major tournaments, this match promises to be one of the most anticipated clashes of the first round of the 2026 World Cup.