England are off to an emphatic winning start at the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions produced a superb second-half display in Dallas on Wednesday to brush aside Croatia 4-2 and make an early statement in Group L. Harry Kane put Thomas Tuchel’s side ahead after only 12 minutes, firing in a penalty after a retake was ordered following his initial miss, with goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic off his line and Josko Gvardiol also encroaching into the box.
Martin Baturina arrowed home an equaliser past Jordan Pickford against the run of play, only for Kane to then powerfully head in from a Declan Rice corner. There was still time for Croatia to level again before half-time, with Ivan Perisic brilliantly teeing up Petar Musa for a cool volley. England assistant Anthony Barry could not hide his frustration at the break and Thomas Tuchel’s rousing speech quickly inspired his side, with Bellingham cutting inside to restore their advantage once more off the post after a fine pass from Elliot Anderson.
Livakovic made a string of excellent saves to keep Croatia alive as confident England peppered his goal relentlessly during a sustained onslaught, with Marcus Rashford coming off the bench to set the seal on a memorable victory as he rolled into the bottom corner after being teed up by fellow substitute Bukayo Saka.
England vs Croatia highlights
- GOAL! Substitute Rashford curls in late fourth
- GOAL! Bellingham gets fine third for England
- GOAL! Musa levels on stroke of half-time
- GOAL! Kane at the double with header
- GOAL! Pickford can't save Baturina strike
- Why did Kane retake his penalty?
- GOAL! Kane scores with early retaken penalty
England 4-2 Croatia
23:06 , George Flood
A brilliant second half from England, who are up and running at the 2026 World Cup with a thrilling victory.
Whatever Tuchel said at half-time certainly paid off... and then some.
Some of England’s attacking play after the break was absolutely scintillating.
There will be concerns over the goals they conceded in the first half, but there can be no doubting their firepower after that.
It's Ghana up next in Group L in Boston next Tuesday.
Croatia meet Panama in Toronto a few hours later.
England 4-2 Croatia
23:01 , George Flood
Full-time
England 4-2 Croatia
22:59 , George Flood
94 mins: Some stellar late defending from Kane to prevent a needlessly nervy finish.
He gets back to make one intervention before then crucially blocking from Gvardiol inside the England six-yard box.
Exactly what you want to see from your captain.
England 4-2 Croatia
22:56 , George Flood
90 mins: Into six minutes of added time in Dallas.
Guehi has replaced Stones in the England defence.
England 4-2 Croatia
22:54 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Dallas Stadium
That is such a confident finish from Rashford, checking back inside and rolling home to make sure of a victory England do absolutely deserve.
A standing ovation as Bellingham was taken off, and rightly so. He was excellent today.
Spence makes his major tournament debut for England.
GOAL! England 4-2 Croatia | Marcus Rashford 85'
22:51 , George Flood
85 mins: A fantastic England goal likely seals their opening World Cup victory!
Rashford gets the early pass from Saka and totally bamboozles Stanisic before opening up his body and perfectly curling into the far bottom corner.
Superb. England’s attacking play in this second half has been spectacular.
England 3-2 Croatia
22:49 , George Flood
84 mins: Now Kovacic looks to test Pickford as England retreat deeper and deeper, though his low drive is easily held by the Everton goalkeeper.
England 3-2 Croatia
22:48 , George Flood
81 mins: Ex-Premier League duo Vlasic and Kramaric replace Mario Pasalic and Baturina for Croatia, who forced Pickford into a strong punch before Sucic blasted well over from distance.
Now England break and substitute Spence is denied by yet another Livakovic save.
This could be 9-2 without him.
England 3-2 Croatia
22:44 , George Flood
79 mins: But not for long.
Bellingham is now making way for Djed Spence, who fits his jaw protector as he comes on.
Reece James is going into midfield, where he has played plenty for Chelsea.
England 3-2 Croatia
22:42 , George Flood
77 mins: ITV are reporting that Rice looked to be limping after coming off a few minutes ago.
It had to be some sort of knock, otherwise taking him off made no sense.
Tuchel will be praying that is nothing serious.
Bellingham and Rogers - England’s No10 rivals - on now together of course.
England 3-2 Croatia
22:40 , George Flood
75 mins: Marco Pasalic cuts inside off the Croatian right flank and stings the palms of Pickford, who makes a solid save.
A reminder to England that this game is far from done.
England 3-2 Croatia
22:38 , George Flood
70 mins: Tuchel makes a triple change out of the hydration break.
Rogers, Saka and Rashford are replacing Rice, Madueke and Gordon.
A big surprise to see Rice head off.
England 3-2 Croatia
22:34 , George Flood
68 mins: An effort from Gordon is blocked as England threaten again.
We’ll now have the second-half hydration break.
England 3-2 Croatia
22:33 , George Flood
65 mins: Croatia are furious to have been denied a corner and now Zlatko Dalic looks to his bench for the second time tonight.
Marco Pasalic - no relation to Mario - and Igor Matanovic both come on. Off go Vuskovic and Musa.
England 3-2 Croatia
22:28 , George Flood
61 mins: Amid the onslaught of England chances there was the withdrawal of legendary Croatia captain Modric, who just doesn’t have the legs at almost 41 for this sort of rip-roaring contest.
Kovacic is on.
England 3-2 Croatia
22:26 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Dallas Stadium
England’s third was one of the most well-worked goals I have seen them score in a long, long time. Bellingham was then back for more, forcing a save and earning a corner. England must have been given a rollicking at half-time.
They are creating a host of chances but just can't take them. It could be 7-2 on another day.
England 3-2 Croatia
22:23 , George Flood
57 mins: Croatia are being absolutely battered here as Livakovic makes another strong save to deny Kane, who is also thwarted by Bayern Munich team-mate Stanisic after an enticing delivery to the back post.
What did Tuchel say at half-time?!
England are rampant. But they only lead by one still, despite having 18 attempts on goal and counting...
England 3-2 Croatia
22:21 , George Flood
54 mins: Now a triple save from Livakovic after England force another corner.
He first keeps out O’Reilly’s header, then the follow-up by Gordon.
Not sure who the third stop denied.
Remarkable.
England 3-2 Croatia
22:17 , George Flood
51 mins: It’s a struggle to keep up with this as Bellingham has another huge chance to score again quickly before O’Reilly heads just wide.
Now Rice’s dangerous strike is pushed wide by Livakovic.
England are really in the mood now...
GOAL! England 3-2 Croatia | Jude Bellingham 47'
22:12 , George Flood
47 mins: It certainly looks like it!
Bellingham cuts inside off the England right, gets away from Pasalic and fires in low off the post.
He was picked out by an excellent pass from Anderson.
Croatia torn apart.
England 2-2 Croatia
22:11 , George Flood
Finally England do re-emerge and we’re back underway at Dallas Stadium.
Are we in for a similarly thrilling second half?
England 2-2 Croatia
22:09 , George Flood
England assistant Anthony Barry is not a happy man as he’s interviewed at half-time by ITV.
He called that first-half performance “complicated and confusing”, speaking of “a lot of nervous energy”, “playing the wrong passes” and “falling back into fearful patterns”.
England have come out for the second half much later than Croatia.
Tuchel reading the riot act?
England 2-2 Croatia
22:03 , George Flood
That second goal really was superb by Croatia.
The build-up, the ball lofted into Perisic, Perisic’s header and the cool volley struck low past Pickford. Brilliant.
What a moment for Musa, who plays his club football for FC Dallas in the MLS.
As Roy Keane says on ITV, that felt like a knockout game in a breathless first half - not both teams’ opening match of the competition.
More goals feel inevitable.
England 2-2 Croatia
21:58 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Dallas Stadium
The difference at half-time is that Croatia's goals have both been very well-worked plays. England's have both been set-pieces. What a game, though.
England 2-2 Croatia
21:54 , George Flood
Half-time
And breathe!
What an incredible first half of football in Dallas.
GOAL! England 2-2 Croatia | Petar Musa 50'
21:52 , George Flood
50 mins: Musa beats Pickford with a well-taken volley inside the box after a lofted pass is flicked brilliantly into his path by Perisic.
Was Perisic just offside?
No, the goal stands. Konsa looked to be playing him on.
Another big setback for England right on the stroke of half-time.
Tuchel will be furious.
England 2-1 Croatia
21:49 , George Flood
48 mins: Pasalic - once on Chelsea’s books - tries his luck from range with half-time looming, but that was never troubling Pickford.
England 2-1 Croatia
21:47 , George Flood
46 mins: Into five minutes of added time at the end of this chaotic first half.
England earn a dubious free-kick for a challenge on Bellingham, with James’ subsequent effort from some distance being driven into the Croatian wall.
England 2-1 Croatia
21:46 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Dallas Stadium
And that is a reminder of the level 32-year-old Harry Kane is playing at right now. Superb header.
GOAL! England 2-1 Croatia | Harry Kane 42'
21:43 , George Flood
42 mins: It’s that man again and England restore their advantage before the break!
Kane powers home a header from near the penalty spot after being picked out perfectly by Rice’s corner delivery from the right.
He’s now level with Gary Lineker for England World Cup goals.
England 1-1 Croatia
21:41 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Dallas Stadium
That is a fantastic equaliser that comes from Sucic picking the ball up and Croatia moving it quickly and decisively.
Should Pickford do better? He gets a fair old glove on it. Baturina with an unerring finish.
GOAL! England 1-1 Croatia | Martin Baturina 36'
21:37 , George Flood
36 mins: What a strike!
Out of nowhere, Croatia are level as a swerving effort from Baturina flies past Rice and into the back of the net off the hand of Pickford, who couldn’t get a strong enough touch on it to divert it wide.
Baturina justifying his start. England will have to regroup quickly here.
England 1-0 Croatia
21:35 , George Flood
31 mins: Croatia live dangerously once more as Bellingham is a whisker away from connecting with a delicious low Madueke cross into the box.
So close.
England 1-0 Croatia
21:32 , George Flood
28 mins: Back off and running, with Kane bailed out by O’Reilly after a rare loss of possession in a dangerous area.
By the way, it’s now been officially confirmed that early Kane penalty retake was ordered because of Livakovic being off his line AND encroachment into the box by Gvardiol.
Glad we got that sorted in the end!
England 1-0 Croatia
21:30 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Dallas Stadium
The first drinks break of England's tournament predictably breaks up some fine form by Tuchel's men, who were building up steam.
Kane, by the way, has just become the record-holder for the most non-shootout penalties scored in the history of the World Cup for any team (5).
England 1-0 Croatia
21:25 , George Flood
23 mins: It isn’t especially clear still if that penalty retake was ordered for Livakovic being off his line, Gvardiol encroaching - or both.
I think it was Livakovic actually, who was off his line.
England 1-0 Croatia
21:24 , George Flood
20 mins: England win possession again in the middle of the park and drive forward through Bellingham, but he’s crowded out inside the box.
Time for the first hydration break of the game.
England 1-0 Croatia
21:20 , George Flood
18 mins: There’s a really high tempo continuing during the early stages of this contest.
Not what Croatia will want as they are getting caught out in the middle too often.
England 1-0 Croatia
21:17 , George Flood
15 mins: It’s all going on early in this game, with Croatia screaming for a penalty after Musa goes down in the England box under pressure from James.
They don’t even end up with a corner.
There’s a handball shout in there and now Madueke breaks for England before his effort is blocked behind for another corner, which is cleared.
Breathless start...
GOAL! England 1-0 Croatia | Harry Kane (pen) 12'
21:12 , George Flood
12 mins: No mistake this time from Kane after that reprieve.
He sends Livakovic the wrong way and fires into the bottom corner.
Dream start for England.
Croatia will be seething.
England 0-0 Croatia
21:11 , George Flood
10 mins: Kane’s penalty is saved by Livakovic!
But hang on, I think he moved off his line before it was taken.
No, it’s encroachment by Gvardiol. A retake is ordered!
Huge early drama in Dallas.
England 0-0 Croatia
21:09 , George Flood
9 mins: No chance that was getting overturned, so poor from Modric.
Kane to step up...
England 0-0 Croatia
21:08 , George Flood
8 mins: A rare mistake from Modric sets England forward down the right and James’ initial cross is repelled before Kane takes the ball down nicely and lets fly with an effort that is deflected wide.
PENALTY TO ENGLAND - MODRIC HAS BROUGHT DOWN MADUEKE FOLLOWING THE CORNER!
England 0-0 Croatia
21:07 , George Flood
6 mins: It’s all a bit pedestrian early doors from England here, with Croatia looking more sprightly and intense with their pressing game.
The Three Lions are dominating possession, but doing little with it so far.
England 0-0 Croatia
21:04 , George Flood
4 mins: A sloppy start from England in possession and Rice charges back to tidy up as Croatia look to threaten again in these early exchanges.
England 0-0 Croatia
21:03 , George Flood
3 mins: A mix-up between Pickford and Stones leads to an early corner for Croatia on the right-hand side.
Dalic’s team are big and physical and dangerous at set-pieces, with centre-back Sutalo getting away from O’Reilly before volleying well off target.
An early warning for England nevertheless.
England vs Croatia
21:01 , George Flood
Disappointing to hear some boos during the start of the Croatian anthem.
Preparations complete, we’re about to get underway at Dallas Stadium.
England are all in white today, with Croatia in their blue change strips.
Here we go...
Players are out
20:55 , George Flood
Here come the teams at the impressive and hi-tech Dallas Stadium, where the giant flag of each country currently takes up each half of the pitch.
It’s time for the national anthems, with ‘God Save the King’ up first.
France’s Clement Turpin is today’s referee - an official that Tuchel once called “absolutely terrible” and “Grade E” following a Champions League match between his Bayern Munich side and Manchester City.
Jerome Brisard is on VAR duty.
England have mixed record in World Cup openers
20:36 , George Flood
Final preparations at Dallas Stadium.
How are those nerves, England fans?
These major tournament openers for the Three Lions are not always pretty, with Bellingham inspirational as they saw off Serbia in Germany en route to a second consecutive European Championship final two summers ago.
England have won their last two opening games at World Cups, thrashing Iran 6-2 in Qatar in 2022 and having Kane’s stoppage-time goal to thank for edging past Tunisia in Russia 2018.
The less said about 2014 and 2010, the better...
Fans in buoyant mood before kick-off
20:22 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Dallas Stadium
Plenty of football shirts of all colours on show inside Dallas Stadium, but England shirts are outnumbering Croatia without a doubt.
Both sets of fans are here in fine numbers, though, and everyone who is getting picked out on the big screen is in fine mood and waving back at the camera.
Tuchel explains Bellingham over Rogers decision
20:19 , George Flood
“Age is just a number,” says Luka Modric in his pre-match interview with ITV, nearly 20 years to the day since his World Cup debut in Germany in 2006.
One of the all-time midfield greats, absolutely no question about it.
Tuchel admits in his own pre-match interview with ITV that he expected to see Kovacic start in that Croatia midfield.
But he says their team is otherwise as he thought it would be and is expecting them to switch fluidly between a back five and a back four, which he insists England are prepared for in terms of their pressing and attacking game.
Tuchel also says that it was “very close” between Bellingham and Rogers for that starting No10 job.
He believes both deserved to start and adds that Saka had an “incredible” training session on Tuesday.
However, he says it’s “very important” to have such a strong bench.
Captain fantastic Modric earns 199th Croatia cap
20:11 , George Flood
A few different guesses at that Croatia formation.
ITV have it listed as a 3-4-3, with Gvardiol, Vuskovic and Sutalo as the back three in front of Livakovic.
They have Sucic and Modric in the middle, flanked by Perisic and Bayern Munich regular Stanisic.
They then have Musa joined in the final third by Baturina and Pasalic.
It feels like a very fluid system.
As mentioned, Modric - who turns 41 in September - earns his 199th cap.
His 200th should arrive against Panama in Toronto next week.
Kovacic left out by Croatia in shock
20:02 , George Flood
An interesting starting XI from Croatia, to say the least.
The biggest surprise omission is in midfield, where Mateo Kovacic is left out.
Instead it’s Inter Milan’s Petar Sucic and one-time Chelsea midfielder Mario Pasalic who line up alongside captain Luka Modric.
Highly-rated Tottenham youngster Luka Vuskovic starts at the back alongside Kovacic’s Manchester City team-mate Josko Gvardiol.
Ex-Spurs star Ivan Perisic is in attack, where, as expected, Martin Baturina and FC Dallas forward Petar Musa are preferred to the more experienced pair of Ante Budimir and Andrej Kramaric.
Croatia lineup
19:51 , George Flood
Croatia XI: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Sucic, Modric, Pasalic, Perisic; Baturina, Musa
No surprises from Tuchel
19:48 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Dallas Stadium
So, Thomas Tuchel does as expected and names the same team that started as England beat Costa Rica 3-0 in Orlando in their final warm-up game a week ago.
That means starts for Madueke (over Saka) and Stones and Konsa (instead of Guehi).
Bellingham, Rice and Anderson make up the midfield trio everyone expected to see - but are playing together from the start for only the second time.
England lineup
19:38 , George Flood
The England team is out and as expected...
England XI: Pickford; James, Stones, Konsa, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Subs: D Henderson, Guehi, Saka, Rashford, J Henderson, Burn, Mainoo, Rogers, Watkins, Eze, Toney, Trafford, Spence, Quansah
Croatia inspect pitch at Dallas Stadium
19:35 , George Flood
The Croatian contingent arrive and survey the pitch at Dallas Stadium a little earlier on, led by legendary captain Luka Modric, who is set to pull just one cap shy of the 200-mark today.
One of a number of all-time greats making his World Cup swansong this summer, along with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, among many others.
Still as influential as ever, aged 40.
Zlatko Dalic: Croatia won't just defend against England
19:28 , George Flood
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic - who has been in charge of the national team since 2017 - has dismissed any suggestion that his side will simply park the bus in Dallas today.
He has also sought to play down the significance of a fixture against England.
"A tough match awaits us, the start of the World Cup, and the toughest opponent possible,” Dalic said yesterday.
“We've prepared well, and I'd be happy if we show that tomorrow.
"England is an important match, but not a decisive one.
“We know their quality - they are dangerous, especially down the wings, and they have one of the best strikers in the world.
“We will give our best, we won't just defend, we want more. That's how we prepared."
England set to keep same team from Costa Rica game
19:15 , George Flood
The BBC are reporting that Thomas Tuchel is indeed set to stick with the same England team that lined up in their final World Cup warm-up friendly last week - the 3-0 win over Costa Rica in Orlando.
That means Jude Bellingham over Morgan Rogers at No10, Noni Madueke instead of Bukayo Saka on the right, Anthony Gordon over Marcus Rashford down the left and a John Stones-Ezri Konsa centre-back partnership, with Marc Guehi on the bench.
It will be Jordan Pickford in goal as usual, with Reece James and Nico O’Reilly as the full-backs.
Declan Rice will be joined in the midfield engine room by Elliot Anderson, with captain Harry Kane of course leading the line.
Interesting. The lack of Guehi is proving really puzzling to a lot of England fans.
Surely England’s best defender, though Tuchel seems to prefer the Stones-Konsa fit.
England and Croatia fans on friendly terms
19:00 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Dallas Stadium
Hello from Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where it is seriously hot and I’ve bought a jumper in case the in-stadium air-con gets a bit too chilly.
England and Croatia fans are friends at the moment. Let's check back in about four hours' time.
Tuchel warns of 'remarkable' Croatia threat in 'difficult' first test
18:56 , George Flood
No England fan needs reminding of the enduring threats that Croatia possess and, as expected, Thomas Tuchel is not taking the challenge lightly as his side bid to make a dream start in Group L ahead of meetings with Ghana (June 23) and Panama (June 27) in Boston and New York respectively.
“It is a very difficult start,” Tuchel said at his pre-match press conference.
“It is an experienced team, an experienced coach, in tournament knockout football. It's a top football nation and a very strong opponent.
“The centre of gravity in their game has dropped a bit, into a back three, we expect.
“From a midfield three, which was the core of Croatia, it has only Kovacic and Modric still there. They're playing in a midfield two now.
“They play with fluid No 10s and wing-backs. But the core is still Modric and Kovacic.
“Then they have Perisic, who is always a threat with the crosses.
“That is one of the most dangerous crossers in world football, maybe – left foot, right foot, he does not even need space to put a cross in. It is remarkable. And they are strong in set-pieces.”
Tuchel explains surprise Chalobah call-up after Livramento injury
18:49 , George Flood
As mentioned, England’s preparations for their opening contest in Group L were disrupted by a calf injury suffered by Tino Livramento in training that is serious enough for the Newcastle right-back to have been ruled out of his first World Cup and flown back home.
While Reece James is widely expected to be Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice right-back at this tournament, it was nevertheless a huge blow to lose a talented young player for the duration before a ball has even been kicked in anger.
Teams at the World Cup are permitted to replace an injured player up to 24 hours before their first game, provided it’s a new issue and his replacement is sought from the 55-man longlist submitted to FIFA last month.
Tuchel chose James’ versatile Chelsea team-mate Trevoh Chalobah as Livramento’s replacement, a decision that some have criticised as they instead championed the cases of the likes of Luke Shaw, Lewis Hall, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire.
“We called Trevoh Chalobah up because then we can free up Jarell Quansah and Djed Spence on both sides as full-backs,” Tuchel explained on Tuesday.
“Trevoh comes as a centre-back alternative and gives us full coverage in the back four.”
Chalobah will join the group after tonight’s game in Dallas.
No weather concerns for England vs Croatia
18:37 , George Flood
Though we’ve been okay so far, a number of games at this World Cup are likely to be impacted by the weather.
England got a taster of that ahead of last week’s final warm-up friendly against Costa Rica, which was delayed by an hour due to thunderstorms in Orlando.
There is a heat alert out in Dallas today for searingly hot temperatures, but the players won’t have to worry about any of that.
The conditions won’t have any bearing on this game, with Dallas Stadium one of the four venues at this World Cup with a retractable roof, which will be closed for a fixture that kicks off at 4pm local time.
With a roof closed and the air conditioning on, things should be nice and comfortable for a change, both on the pitch and in the stands.
We will still have a hydration break in each half, though.
England fans arriving at Dallas Stadium
18:28 , George Flood
England fans have long since already been arriving at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, which is known as AT&T Stadium outside of this World Cup.
It is the impressive 80,000-capacity home - reduced to 70,000 for the tournament - of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and host of many other major sporting events including several world championship boxing fights.
It is nicknamed ‘Jerry World’ in the US, in reference to Jerry Jones, the owner of the Cowboys.
Up to 15,000 England supporters are believed to have made the trip to this part of Texas.
They will be sure to make their voices heard today.
England vs Croatia prediction
18:14 , George Flood
For the second time in the last three major tournaments, England open their campaign against Croatia - one of their biggest rivals of the this century so far.
Memories of Mario Mandzukic’s extra-time winner in Moscow to deny them a first World Cup final berth since 1966 will inevitably come flooding back, as will visions of Steve McClaren standing on the touchline under *that* brolly in the Wembley rain after Scott Carson’s blunder saw them miss out on Euro 2008 entirely.
Croatia remain a seriously dangerous World Cup proposition, also finishing third in Qatar four years ago, though notably fell in the group stage at Euro 2024.
England’s opening win at Euro 2020 - and in a crunch Nations League clash in 2018 - should have gone some way to clearing any mental hurdles that may still linger around this fixture.
It won’t be pretty, as England’s tournament openers typically aren’t, but we’re backing them to shade a tight and tense contest thanks to a likely Harry Kane winner.
England to win, 1-0.
Croatia team news
18:10 , George Flood
Croatia look set to spring a couple of selection surprises in attack, with Como’s Martin Baturina and Petar Musa expected to get the nod over the far more experienced duo of Ante Budimir and Andrej Kramaric.
It would be a very special occasion indeed for Musa, who plays his club football with FC Dallas in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Manchester City duo Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic will both start, as should Tottenham’s highly-rated teenage defender Luka Vuskovic - currently subject to plenty of transfer interest after a fine season on loan in Germany with Hamburg.
Luka Modric will pull the midfield strings as usual on his 199th cap, joined by fellow stalwarts such as Ivan Perisic and Dominik Livakovic.
England team news
18:03 , George Flood
As expected, it sounds very much as if Jude Bellingham has got the nod over Morgan Rogers at No10 tonight in Thomas Tuchel’s biggest England selection decision.
There are reports that Noni Madueke will also start on the right flank over Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka, who continues to be managed carefully as the result of a lingering Achilles concern - despite the player himself saying that he will gamble with his fitness and is “ready to go” for the World Cup.
The same reports claim that Anthony Gordon has won the battle with Marcus Rashford to start down the left following his excellent performance in the final warm-up win over Costa Rica last week.
In perhaps the biggest surprise that was also strongly hinted at in that same game in Orlando, it is being suggested that Marc Guehi - who many people regard as England’s best centre-back - is also among the substitutes, with John Stones partnering Ezri Konsa instead.
Tino Livramento has been ruled out of the entire tournament with a calf injury sustained in training, with Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah set to join up with the squad after today’s game.
Where to watch England vs Croatia
17:57 , George Flood
TV channel: In the UK, England vs Croatia will be televised live and free-to-air on ITV1, with coverage starting at 8pm BST.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online through the ITVX app - which is free with a sign-up - or ITV website.
Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel and website, along with the ITVX app, ITV website, BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.
England vs Croatia live
17:51 , George Flood
The wait is finally over and here we go again as England open another World Cup campaign tonight.
The Three Lions are hoping to end 60 years of hurt in North America this summer, putting their faith in Thomas Tuchel to finally emulate the heroes of 1966.
But they have been handed a tough start in an otherwise favourable-looking Group L as they once again take on familiar foes Croatia, one of their biggest rivals of this century who famously beat them in extra time of the 2018 semi-finals in Moscow - a decade after wrecking their hopes of qualifying at all for Euro 2008.
This is their first meeting since 2021, when Raheem Sterling's second-half goal at Wembley secured a 1-0 victory in their opening fixture of the delayed Euro 2020 finals.
Croatia are approaching the end of a golden generation still marshalled brilliantly by the now 40-year-old Luka Modric, but remain dangerous World Cup specialists who also finished third in Qatar four years ago.
Kick-off this evening is at 9pm BST, so stay with us for all your match build-up, breaking team news and minute-by-minute game updates, with expert insight and analysis from Standard Sport's England correspondent Dom Smith at Dallas Stadium.
