2026 World Cup: England vs. Croatia, Probable Lineups

On Tuesday evening at 10 p.m. Italian time, England will kick off its World Cup campaign against Croatia. In the run-up to the tournament, Thomas Tuchel’s team stumbled against Uruguay and Japan but defeated New Zealand and Costa Rica in its last two friendlies.

Zlatko Dalić’s Croatia heads into the match against the Three Lions after defeating Slovenia. Among the standout players on the roster are certainly Vuskovic, Gvardiol, Kovacic, and the evergreen Luka Modric.

Tuchel is expected to field his tried-and-true 4-2-3-1 formation with James, Stones, Konsa, and O’Reilly in front of Pickford. In midfield, Rice and Anderson will start, while Madueke, Bellingham, and Gordon will be tasked with feeding Harry Kane.

Dalic has opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation for his team’s World Cup debut. Livakovic will be in goal, with Sutalo, Vuskovic, and Gvardiol in front of him. On the wings are Stanisic and the veteran Ivan Perisic, with Modric and Kovacic dictating the play. Sucic and Baturina will play behind Musa.

England vs. Croatia: Probable Lineups
ENGLAND (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Stones, Konsa, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane. Coach: Tuchel
CROATIA (3-4-2-1): Livakovic; Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Stanisic, Modric, Kovacic, Perisic; Sucic, Baturina; Musa. Coach: Dalic