Panama and Croatia meet at BMO Field in Toronto on June 23 in a Group L clash that carries genuine elimination stakes for both sides. Both teams opened with defeats on Matchday 1 and a second consecutive loss would effectively end their World Cup 2026 campaign before the final round. Panama vs Croatia odds reflect Croatia as clear favorites, but the margin between the sides is narrower than the pre-tournament assessments suggested.
Croatia qualified from UEFA Group L with a 7W 1D 0L record, scoring 26 goals and conceding just four across eight matches. Their opening game in this tournament ended in a 4-2 defeat to England, a result that leaves manager Zlatko Dalić with little room for error. Panama went unbeaten through their CONCACAF qualifying campaign, posting a 5W 3D 0L record with 14 goals scored and four conceded, before falling 1-0 to Ghana in a match decided in stoppage time.
