England are set to kick off their World Cup 2026 campaign with a Group L clash against Croatia, a fixture that carries echoes of their 2018 semi-final meeting in Russia. The match is scheduled to take place in Texas on Wednesday, June 17, with kick-off set for 9 PM for viewers in the United Kingdom.

Thomas Tuchel’s squad endured an unexpectedly challenging week off the field, as they were robbed while travelling to Missouri earlier this week. The incident resulted in the loss of a considerable amount of team equipment, though the situation was swiftly resolved. Despite the disruption, the team has now settled into their base in Missouri, where they will remain for at least the next three weeks as they prepare for their tournament opener.

England’s relocation from Florida to Missouri marks the final phase of their pre-tournament preparations. Tuchel’s men will continue to train in the United States before heading to Texas for their highly anticipated first match against Croatia.

This encounter will be only the second time the two nations have met at a World Cup. The previous meeting came in the 2018 semi-final, when Croatia triumphed 2-1 to reach the final, leaving England with unfinished business heading into this rematch.

Historically, England have made strong starts to major tournaments. The Three Lions have won four and drawn three of their last eight World Cup openers, with the only defeat in that run coming at the 2014 tournament, a 2-1 loss to Italy despite Daniel Sturridge putting them ahead early in the game.

Across major international competitions, England hold the upper hand over Croatia. The Three Lions have beaten Croatia twice in the UEFA European Championship, while Croatia lead 1-0 in World Cup encounters. In terms of appearances at the global tournament, England have featured in 17 editions compared to Croatia’s seven, underlining the English side’s long-standing pedigree at the highest level.

The upcoming clash promises to be a compelling contest, blending recent history with high stakes, as both teams aim to make a strong start to their World Cup 2026 journeys.