Watch England vs Croatia on demand with Fubo
England vs Croatia lineups
Starting XI
Substitutes
Manager
- T. Tuchel
- Z. Dalic
England vs Croatia: Watch full match replay and match highlights
Because FOX holds the official English-language broadcast rights for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Fubo subscribers have a few different ways to access post-match coverage on-demand without paying any extra fees.
FOX Sports On-Demand Library: If you missed your Cloud DVR window, Fubo automatically loads official FOX match packages, condensed matches, and short-form highlights directly into its sports library shortly after the final whistle. Just search "World Cup" on your Fubo app.
The FOX Sports App "TV Provider" Hack: Your Fubo subscription credentials double as a golden ticket. You can download the official FOX Sports App on your phone or smart TV, select "Fubo" as your TV provider at login, and unlock instant access to premium, high-bitrate extended highlights and full match replays.
England vs Croatia - Live Updates
First half
0' — Kickoff: The match gets underway in Arlington, Texas, as Thomas Tuchel officially begins his competitive tenure as England manager.
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2' — Early Croatia Chance: A minor mix-up in the England defense gifts Croatia an early corner. The ball drops to defender Josip Šutalo at the back post, but he fires his effort high over the crossbar.
4' — Defensive Nerves: England struggles to settle into possession early on, with heavy touches from John Stones and Ezri Konsa keeping the backline under heavy pressure from Croatia's high press.
9' — PENALTY TO ENGLAND: Against the early run of play, England wins a corner. A loose second ball inside the penalty area bounces toward Noni Madueke, who beats Luka Modrić to the ball and is brought down, prompting the referee to point straight to the spot.
10' — PENALTY SAVED! Harry Kane steps up to take the penalty, driving a right-footed shot low toward the bottom-right corner. However, Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livaković anticipates it perfectly, pulling off a stellar diving save to keep the match level.
10'–11' — VAR Review: The drama intensifies as the Video Assistant Referee intervenes to check if Livaković strayed off his line or if there was premature encroachment into the box during the run-up. Following a brief pause, the referee orders a retake.
12' — GOAL! England 1–0 Croatia (Harry Kane): Handed a golden second chance, England captain Harry Kane makes no mistake with the retake. He calmly places his penalty past Livaković to give the Three Lions an early, hard-fought lead.
15' — Penalty Appeal Denied: Croatia hits back instantly with a fluid counter-attack. Petar Musa is picked out inside the penalty area and skips past Reece James before going down under heavy pressure. The Croatian bench screams for a penalty, but a quick VAR check determines there wasn't enough contact to overturn the on-field decision.
16' — Madueke Goes Close: England starts settling into a groove. Madueke is played into open space down the right flank and unleashes a dangerous, low cross-shot that deflects just wide of the near post.
21' — Lung-Busting Bellingham Run: Kane drops deep to orchestrate play and threads a beautiful ball to Bellingham. The Real Madrid midfielder launches an extraordinary solo run from his own half into the Croatian penalty area before finally being crowded out by defenders.
31' — Madueke Cross Goes Begging: Great counterattack from England as Anthony Gordon pinches possession on the halfway line. Kane spreads it wide to Madueke, who whips in a glorious low cross that Bellingham is just unable to connect with in the goalmouth.
36' — GOAL! England 1–1 Croatia (Martin Baturina): Croatia hits back with a deserved equalizer! After sustaining a period of pressure, a fluid build-up down the flank cuts open the England midfield, allowing Martin Baturina to find space and smash a clinical strike past Jordan Pickford to restore parity.
42' — GOAL! England 2–1 Croatia (Harry Kane): England restores their lead just before the break! Continuing a frantic first half, Harry Kane captures his brace by clinical execution inside the box, sliding his effort home past Livaković to put the Three Lions back in front.
45+6' — GOAL! England 2–2 Croatia (Petar Musa): Deep into sixth minutes of added first-half stoppage time, Croatia stuns the Three Lions again. Forward Petar Musa finds a crack in England's defensive shape and clinical converts to claw the Vatreni level right before the whistle blows.
Second half
47' — GOAL! England 3–2 Croatia (Jude Bellingham): Just two minutes after the restart, England storms back ahead. Jude Bellingham takes control of a progressive pass inside the box, navigating a tight angle to finish brilliantly and restore the Three Lions' advantage.
55' — Spectacular Livaković Double Save: Rice delivers another dangerous corner, finding Nico O'Reilly for a firm header. Livaković claws it out off the line and instantly springs up to parry Anthony Gordon's follow-up header, keeping Croatia within one goal.
57' — Croatia Substitution: Tactical adjustment for the Vatreni as veteran Mateo Kovačić enters the pitch to replace Luka Modrić.
69' — England Substitution: Thomas Tuchel makes his first strategic change of the half during a brief hydration break, sending on Morgan Rogers to replace Declan Rice.
71' — Triple Substitution (England): Thomas Tuchel responds with massive tactical reinforcements for the final stretch. Noni Madueke, Declan Rice, and Anthony Gordon are subbed off for Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers, and Marcus Rashford.
75' — Crucial Jordan Pickford Save: Mario Pašalić cuts in dangerously from the right wing and fires a powerful, left-footed blast toward the near post, but Pickford reacts sharply to parry it away and preserve England's thin lead
85' — GOAL! England 4–2 Croatia (Marcus Rashford): The super-sub delivers the decisive blow! With Croatia pushing numbers forward, England executes a devastating counter-attack. Bukayo Saka slides a precise ball across the box to an unmarked Marcus Rashford, who cleanly slots it past Livaković to give the Three Lions a two-goal safety cushion.
England vs Croatia Milestones
Luka Modrić History: If the legendary captain takes the pitch tonight, he joins an elite tier of football icons to feature in five different FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Harry Kane Milestone: Harry Kane is poised to make his 30th major tournament appearance for the Three Lions—more than any other player in England's history.
READ MORE: WATCH FWC2026
Why is Bukayo Saka on the bench for England?
Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka is the headline omission from Thomas Tuchel's first competitive starting XI as England manager, beginning the World Cup opener against Croatia from the substitutes' bench.
The decision is a precautionary measure rather than a tactical drop. Saka is currently managing a lingering Achilles issue, and the England medical staff has opted to carefully protect the winger's fitness to ensure he is not overloaded at the very start of a grueling tournament.
With Saka saved as a potent weapon to change the game later on, Noni Madueke gets the nod to start on the right flank. Madueke retains his place after impressing in last week's final warm-up fixture in Orlando, where Tuchel fielded the exact same starting lineup to secure a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica. Given the tactical discipline required to break down Croatia's veteran side, expect Saka to be utilized as a high-impact weapon in the second half if the Three Lions need an injection of world-class creativity.
Who else is in England and Croatia's group?
England and Croatia are competing in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Ghana and Panama.
Ghana and Panama play one another straight after England vs Croatia. Their game will be live from the Toronto Stadium.
READ MORE: How to watch today's Ghana vs Panama World Cup game
Can I watch England vs. Croatia for free?
The most reliable way to catch the action online is by taking advantage of free trials through major live-TV streaming services. Platforms like Fubo and DirecTV Stream routinely offer five-day to seven-day free trials that include FOX, FS1, and Telemundo in their standard channel lineups.
Additionally, the FOX One app often provides a standalone three-day trial for its sports coverage. If you utilize any of these trials, just remember to set a reminder to cancel them before the trial period ends to avoid being charged a monthly subscription fee.
Best Free World Cup Streaming Options
Once your VPN is active, you can target several major free-to-air platforms around the globe:
Free Platform | VPN Server Location | Account Requirements |
ITVX | United Kingdom | Free registration; requires any valid UK postal code (e.g., |
SBS On Demand | Australia | Free registration via email. |
RTÉ Player | Ireland | Free stream; no advanced registration required. |
CazéTV (YouTube) | Brazil | Free stream via official YouTube channel; no account necessary. |
A step-by-step guide is described later in this article, or you can also check out our guide to the best VPNs for streaming sports.
England vs Croatia is available to watch live in the United States across several platforms. TV channel and live stream options are listed below.
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Is the game on FOX or FS1?
This Group L headliner featuring Harry Kane and Luka Modrić was designated for the main over-the-air network FOX channel rather than being moved to FS1. This means you can watch it for free using a digital TV antenna, the FOX One app, or any streaming platform trial that includes your local FOX station.
Can I stream England vs Croatia in 4K HDR?
Yes. If you are watching the match in the United States, FOX Sports is broadcasting tonight's Group L opener in native 4K HDR. To access the ultra-high-definition stream, you can log into the official FOX Sports App using your Fubo or YouTube TV credentials on a compatible 4K streaming device (such as a Roku Ultra, Apple TV 4K, or Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K).
READ MORE: Where to watch the FOX Network
What is the absolute cheapest way to watch FIFA World Cup soccer?
If you’ve already burned through your Fubo free trial, looking at the standard subscription prices can be a bit of a shock. With the base Pro plan currently starting at $73.99 per month, it is a hefty commitment. But if your main goal is watching live sports - especially soccer - there is a massive workaround: the Fubo Latino plan.
READ MORE: Cheapest ways to watch FIFA World Cup
At just $19.99 per month (and frequently promoted at $9.99 for your first month), the Latino plan is by far the cheapest way to maintain your access to Fubo.
How to Watch England vs. Croatia with Spanish Commentary
For football fans who prefer the raw emotion, iconic goal calls, and expert tactical breakdowns of a Spanish-language broadcast, you do not have to rely on English feeds. In the United States, NBCUniversal holds the exclusive Spanish-language broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Group L opening clash between England and Croatia will be broadcast live with full Spanish commentary led by legendary play-by-play voices Andrés Cantor and Luis Omar Tapia.
Spanish-Language Broadcast & Streaming Options
Platform Type | Service / Channel | Access Details |
Over-the-Air TV (Free) | Completely free in high definition if you use a standard digital TV antenna connected to your local NBC/Telemundo affiliate. | |
Premium Streaming | The official digital home for Telemundo’s tournament coverage. Streams the entire match live in Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos for $10.99/month. | |
Live TV Cord-Cutters | Available on any live TV streaming service package that includes your local Telemundo broadcast network. All three platforms offer temporary free trials for new users. |
Match Preview
England and Croatia meet at Dallas Stadium in Arlington in their 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage opener, renewing a rivalry that has defined both nations' recent tournament histories.
Thomas Tuchel's England arrive in Texas with momentum from their pre-tournament preparations. Back-to-back friendly wins over Costa Rica and New Zealand have steadied the mood, and the squad carries genuine attacking depth into the competition.
Jude Bellingham remains the focal point of England's creative ambitions, with Jordan Henderson among those backing the Real Madrid midfielder to deliver an X-factor that could prove decisive across the tournament. Harry Kane leads the line as captain, and Croatia defender Duje Caleta-Car has already publicly acknowledged the striker's intelligence, describing him as one of the most difficult forwards in the world to contain.
Croatia, under Zlatko Dalic, are no strangers to the tournament's latter stages. Luka Modric, appearing at his fifth World Cup and now playing his club football at AC Milan, has set the tone for his nation ahead of kick-off, insisting Croatia fear nobody. His presence in midfield remains the engine of everything Dalic's side attempt to do.
Off the pitch, Josko Gvardiol has reportedly agreed a new long-term contract with Manchester City, putting an end to speculation over his future. That settled backdrop could prove useful for a player who will be central to Croatia's defensive shape throughout the competition.
Group L standings show Croatia currently sitting above England, adding an extra layer of significance to this opener. A strong result here could shape the trajectory of both sides' entire campaigns.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch England vs Croatia, including TV channel and live stream options.
Who could England face in the World Cup if they qualify from Group L?
England's path in the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be determined by their final standing in Group L. If they successfully advance to the Round of 32, their potential opponents and match locations are as follows:
1. Advancing as Group L Winners
If England tops their group, they will travel to Atlanta for their first knockout match on July 1, 2026.
- Potential Opponent: One of the top-performing third-placed teams from Group E, H, I, J, or K.
2. Advancing as Group L Runners-Up
If England finishes second, they will head to Toronto for the Round of 32 on July 2, 2026.
- Potential Opponent: The runner-up from Group K, which features Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia.
3. Advancing as a Best Third-Placed Team
With the expanded 48-team format, the eight best third-place finishers across the tournament also advance. If England qualifies through this route, they will cross paths with the winner of Group K.
- Potential Opponent: The winner of Group K (Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, or Colombia).
Because the 2026 knockout bracket heavily links Group L crossover matches with Group K, there is a very high probability that England will face either Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, or Colombia in the Round of 32 unless they win their group outright.
Team news & squads
England Team News
The biggest news for the Three Lions heading into tonight's opener is a late, forced change to Thomas Tuchel's squad.
Tino Livramento Out: The Newcastle United right-back has been officially ruled out of the entire tournament after suffering a severe calf injury during training on Sunday.
Trevoh Chalobah Called Up: Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has been named as Livramento's late replacement and has been flying out to the United States to join the rest of the squad.
Despite the defensive setback, England is otherwise in great shape. They boast a perfect qualifying record and solid warm-up performances. Captain Harry Kane will lead the attack, with Jude Bellingham heavily expected to orchestrate the midfield.
Croatia Team News
Unlike England, Zlatko Dalić’s side enters the opening match with a completely clean bill of health.
Fully Fit Squad: Croatia currently has no reported injuries or suspension concerns across their entire 26-man roster.
The Veteran Core: Legendary 40-year-old captain Luka Modrić is fully fit and will anchor the midfield. This tournament is widely expected to be his final major international appearance, and he is on track to hit his 200th international cap during the competition.
Defensive anchor Joško Gvardiol will be tasked with keeping England's potent attack quiet, while Croatia's experienced midfield will look to control the tempo and absorb England's early pressing system
England possible XI: Pickford; James, Stones, Konsa, O'Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Form
England head into this fixture with three wins from their last five matches. Their most recent outing was a comfortable 3-0 friendly victory over Costa Rica, following a 1-0 win against New Zealand. A 0-1 defeat to Japan in March and a 1-1 draw with Uruguay represent the low points of that recent run, though a 2-0 qualifying win away at Albania in November 2025 also sits in the sequence. England have scored seven goals and conceded three across those five matches.
Croatia have won two of their last five, though their form is more mixed. Their most recent result was a 2-1 friendly win over Slovenia, but defeats to Belgium (0-2) and Brazil (1-3) exposed defensive vulnerabilities. Croatia scored eight goals across the five matches but also conceded seven, including a 3-1 loss to Brazil in April.
Head-to-Head Record
Head to Head
The most recent meeting between these sides came at Euro 2020, where England won 1-0 in the group stage at Wembley on June 13, 2021. Across the last five recorded matches, England hold the stronger record, with three wins to Croatia's one, and one draw. The most lopsided result in the dataset is England's 5-1 qualifying win in September 2009, though Croatia's most significant victory remains their 2-1 World Cup semi-final win in 2018.