The Croatia national football team is set to face England in the Group L opener of the 2026 World Cup on June 18 at Dallas Stadium in Texas. According to FIFA, French referee Clément Turpin has been appointed to officiate the match. The selection of Turpin is notable due to his history with England’s coach Thomas Tuchel, who was sent off during a Champions League match against Manchester City in April 2023 after receiving two consecutive yellow cards from Turpin.

Historical Rivalry and Tournament Expectations

England and Croatia have met four times over the past eight years, with the most recent encounter in the Euro 2020 quarterfinals, where England won 1–0. However, Croatia is a consistent overperformer at major tournaments, having reached the 2018 World Cup final and securing third place in the 2022 edition. Despite aging key players. The team still boasts stars like Luka Modrić and Ivan Perišić, and has added two MLS players: FC Dallas striker Petar Musa and Orlando City winger Marco Pašalić.

England’s Ambitions and Squad Strength

England, led by Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka, enters the tournament as one of the favorites to win — the team has not won a World Cup since 1966 and has been a perfect qualifier, winning all eight matches in the group stage. Tuchel’s team will look to make a strong start in the 2026 World Cup, which features 48 teams and will take place in 16 cities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The top two teams from each group and the top eight third-place finishers advance to the knockout stage.

Other Tournament Preparations

While the focus is on England and Croatia, other teams are also making headlines; Brazil’s star player, Neymar, missed the team’s first training session due to a calf contusion and is undergoing further medical evaluation. According to ESPN Brazil. Neymar is unlikely to play in the team’s friendly against Panama on June 1; Meanwhile, fashion brand Mackage hosted a “Team Croatia World Cup Café” in New York, highlighting the growing cultural influence of the tournament.

Both England and Croatia are expected to advance from Group L, with a draw likely sufficient for both teams to reach the knockout stage. The match will also be part of a broader cultural celebration of the World Cup, with events such as Mackage’s collaboration showing how the tournament is uniting sports and mainstream culture in new ways.