England vs Croatia June 17 - World Cup Group E opener, do not underestimate them

[Steady Dylan]

England open their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Croatia in Group E on Wednesday June 17 in Atlanta, Georgia. England lost to Croatia in the 2018 World Cup semi-final and drew 0-0 with them in Euro 2020 before beating them. Croatia are no longer the Golden Generation team but Modric is still active and the defensive organisation under Dalic is always difficult to break down.

England have Germany in Group E as the headline fixture. The top two from the group advance automatically. With Croatia, Slovakia and Germany, England cannot afford to drop points early. Harry Kane is in form with 67 goals since the start of last season. The squad is the strongest in a generation but tournament football consistently reminds everyone that individual quality does not guarantee progression.

England next play Germany in the group stage on June 22

[TheLegendJohn32]

Croatia in the group stage is the kind of fixture that England have made a habit of complicating unnecessarily. They are beatable but they are organised, experienced and Modric will still find ways to control tempo when England let him

[Dave]

Kane needs to start on the front foot in this one. England have a habit of being patient to a fault in early tournament games and then needing a moment of individual quality to rescue a result. Get the captain on the scoresheet early and the game opens up

[Inland Sienna]

Bellingham against Modric in midfield is the battle within the battle. Modric at 40 is still elite at distribution and reading the game. Bellingham has the engine and the technical quality to dominate but he cannot sleep on that matchup

[Always_Shane35]

Atlanta in June is another significant heat match. England faced 33 degrees against New Zealand. Atlanta in mid-June will be comparable humidity and temperature. The acclimatisation camp in Florida was specifically for this and the squad will be better prepared than most

[Mia86]

The Germany game on June 22 is the one everyone is building toward but England cannot be looking ahead. Three points against Croatia is the only priority. Everything else follows from that