England continue their 2026/27 Nations League campaign in Rijeka this evening. The Three Lions travel to Croatia hoping to build on Tuesday's 2-0 win over the Czech Republic to further show there will be no lasting hangover from finishing third at the World Cup earlier in the summer.
Thomas Tuchel's side should be in good spirits at the Stadion HNK Rijeka, though the game is scheduled to be played behind closed doors. However, the stadium could be almost full despite the UEFA ban as part of a punishment handed down to Croatia following sanctions that date back to March 2025, and incidents involving fans around matches against France in the quarter-finals of the Nations League.
Today marks a second homecoming for Slaven Bilic after replacing Zlatko Dalic as Croatia head coach in the summer and he will keen for an immediate response from his side after their 4-1 loss to reigning world champions Spain in midweek. Follow Croatia vs England LIVE below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog, with expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith.
Croatia vs England latest news
- Kick-off: 5pm BST | Stadion HNK Rijeka
- How to watch: ITV
- England team news: Konsa fit
- Croatia team news: Modric to start
- Standard Sport Prediction
Duo set to return
15:40 , Oli Gent
BBC Sport reports that Jarell Quansah and Jude Bellingham are set to start for England this evening, with Trent Alexander-Arnold set to drop out.
Arsenal dealt major injury blow
15:35 , Oli Gent
Arsenal forward Christos Tzolis is reportedly facing up to three weeks out with the hamstring injury suffered on international duty.
Tzolis, the summer signing from Club Brugge, was forced off inside the opening 20 minutes of Greece's draw with the Netherlands in the Nations League on Thursday night.
Which games will he miss?
Gyokeres claims international record
15:30 , Oli Gent
Viktor Gyokeres’ love story with the Nations League continues after scoring in Sweden’s draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the 2024/25 Nations League, the Arsenal striker was the leading scorer across the entire campaign, netting nine goals to claim the top scorer award ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (eight) and Erling Haaland (seven).
Man City star withdraws
15:25 , Oli Gent
Nico O’Reilly has left England’s camp on Thursday to return to Manchester City and receive treatment for an injury.
The full-back played the full duration of England’s 3-2 defeat by Spain last weekend but subsequently missed training and played no part in the victory over the Czech Republic.
Tuchel reveals Arsenal injury latest in new England update
15:19 , Oli Gent
Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa has recovered from his minor injury and is back available for England, Thomas Tuchel has revealed.
Konsa had been an unused substitute for Tuesday’s 2-0 win over the Czech Republic in the Nations League after a minor injury he felt in the aftermath of last Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Spain, in which he started.
He is thought to be available for selection this afternoon.
Why stadium is set to be '75 per cent full'
15:12 , Oli Gent
The partial ban on supporters attending Saturday’s match is part of a punishment handed down to Croatia following sanctions that date back to March 2025, and incidents involving fans around matches against France in the quarter-finals of the Nations League.
Today's settings
15:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
This evening's venue is the Stadion HNK Rijeka.
Croatia vs England latest match odds
15:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Croatia to win: 15/4
England to win: 4/6
Draw: 29/10
Odds via betting sites (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
14:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
England don't often lose to Croatia, but when they do, it's a painful one.
Croatia wins: 3
England wins: 7
Draws: 2
Score prediction
14:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
England were decent, if unspectacular, in their win over the Czechs and this evening's clash does provide a step up in opposition.
The World Cup showdown just three and a half months ago suggests there will be plenty of chances and we think the Three Lions will edge it, just.
England to win, 3-2.
Croatia team news
14:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Luka Modric is set to return to the Croatia starting XI against England after being partially rested in the loss to Spain.
Martin Baturina is also expected to be upgraded from a bench role, likely taking up a position on the left-hand side.
England team news: Konsa fit
14:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Ezri Konsa has recovered from the minor injury that forced him to miss the 2-0 win over the Czech Republic on Tuesday night.
However, the Arsenal defender may not earn an immediate recall to the starting lineup after Thomas Tuchel's admission over Marc Guehi's role.
Elsewhere, Jordan Pickford is set to return in goal and Jude Bellingham could reclaim his place in the No10 role.
How to watch Croatia vs England
14:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
TV channel: In the UK, Croatia vs England in the 2026/27 Nations League is being televised live and free to air on ITV, with coverage of the match beginning at 4.15pm BST on ITV1 ahead of a 5pm kick-off.
Live stream: Catch the game live online through the ITVX website and app, which is free with a registration.
Live blog: You can follow all the action right here via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert insight and analysis from England correspondent Dom Smith.
Croatia vs England LIVE!
14:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE Nations League coverage of Croatia vs England!
It's matchday three of the 2026/27 Nations League and this evening will see the latest instalment of the Croatia and England rivalry.
A tough game away in Rijeka awaits the Three Lions, even if the game is supposed to be played behind closed doors.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 5pm BST from the Stadion HNK Rijeka. Stick with us!
