England's 2026 World Cup campaign officially gets underway on Wednesday evening as Thomas Tuchel's squad faces Croatia in their Group L opener. The highly anticipated match, a repeat of the 2018 semi-final, is being held in Dallas and is scheduled for a 9pm BST kick-off. The Three Lions will be looking to start their tournament with a strong performance against a familiar opponent.
Manager Thomas Tuchel has made several notable selections for the starting XI. Captain Harry Kane will lead the line, supported by a creative midfield and attacking trio of Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, and Noni Madueke. In defence, Ezri Konsa has been preferred over Marc Guehi, partnering John Stones at centre-back. Kyle Walker and Rico O'Reilly are expected to fill the full-back roles, with Jordan Pickford in goal and Declan Rice anchoring the midfield alongside Conor Gallagher.
A key absence from the starting line-up is Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka, who is managing an ongoing Achilles injury. Tuchel's decision to rest Saka highlights the importance of player fitness management early in the tournament. Anthony Gordon's inclusion follows an impressive performance in a recent friendly against Costa Rica, solidifying his spot in the team. Bellingham, despite a less prolific season for goal involvements, remains a crucial figure in England's major match plans.
Croatia, while having seen some changes since their 2018 heroics, still boast the formidable presence of Luka Modric in their midfield. Their likely formation suggests a five-at-the-back system, with Josip Stanisic and Ivan Perisic operating as wing-backs. Petar Sucic will join Modric in the engine room, while Martin Baturina and Mario Pašalic are expected to play in attacking midfield roles, supporting striker Petar Musa.
The Group L fixture is considered pivotal for both teams' aspirations in the tournament, which also features Ghana and Panama. A positive result for England would set a strong precedent for their journey through the group stage, where goal difference could become a significant factor in determining group winners.