The time has finally arrived for England to get their World Cup 2026 campaign underway, with Thomas Tuchel’s side ready to meet Croatia in a Group L opener that is a repeat of their semi-final eight years ago.
Tuchel will have 25 of his 26 players to pick from in Dallas – late injury replacement Trevoh Chalobah is not yet available – with captain Harry Kane set to lead the line in a tournament where the big names have wasted no time in making their impact. But the England boss faces a decision over Bukayo Saka, who needs his fitness managed as he battles an injury. Will the Arsenal star be able to start?
While Croatia are much-changed, and arguably a lesser force, compared to the team that broke England hearts in Russia, Luka Modric remains at the heart of their midfield in a group also featuring Ghana and Panama.
Follow all the action below with kick-off set for 3pm local time or 9pm BST:
England prepare for World Cup opener
Two-and-a-half hours until kick-off in Dallas as England are set to open their 2026 World Cup campaign at the AT&T Stadium.
There’s plenty of expectation around Thomas Tuchel’s side, though there’s some trepidation as well as fans prepare to see a full-strength starting XI in a tournament match for the first time under the German.
Croatia will provide stern opposition this evening, though England will be the favourites.
Bellingham to start for England?
In terms of England’s tactical approach much of the build-up to the first game has been concerned with who will start as the No.10.
Jude Bellingham is seemingly being given the nod ahead of Morgan Rogers but we will not know for certain until the team news drops later.
The Real Madrid star is expected to have Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest alongside him in midfield.
Who is Clement Turpin? England v Croatia referee for World Cup who angered Thomas Tuchel
The French official once riled Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel three years ago during his time as Bayern Munich boss.
So much so that Tuchel branded Turpin “Grade E” after receiving two yellow cards in the German club’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City in 2023.
Fans heading to Dallas
England’s first match of the 2026 World Cup takes place at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, near Dallas.
Around 15,000 fans are expected to watch from the stadium and plenty have made their way to the ground already with kick off just under three hours away.
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Messi’s first World Cup ended in a game in which Miroslav Klose scored one of his 16 World Cup goals; Messi was an unused substitute when Germany knocked out Argentina in 2006. Perhaps revenge came two decades on. Messi drew level with Klose at the top of the all-time standings with his treble against Algeria.
Klose had resigned himself to his fate, anyway. Messi will go past him, Kylian Mbappe surely, too. “The record will be broken eventually,” the German said last week. “Messi is welcome to do it. I’m a huge Messi fan, always have been.”
IN pics: England prepare for World Cup opener
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World Cup fixtures
England’s opener is the last game of the day for those in the UK, though fans can look forward to the following action to come on Thursday, 18 June:
- Group L: Ghana vs Panama, kick-off 12am – Toronto, Canada
- Group K: Uzbekistan vs Colombia, kick-off 3am – Mexico City, Mexico
- Group A: Czech Republic vs South Africa, kick-off 5pm – Atlanta, USA
- Group B: Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, kick-off 8pm – Los Angeles, USA
- Group B: Canada vs Qatar, kick-off 11pm – Vancouver, Canada
How will England line up against Croatia in their 2026 World Cup opener?
Bukayo Saka will start on the right side, although Tuchel has hinted that fitness issues may limit his minutes at the World Cup – Noni Madueke could turn out to be crucial. Madueke was excellent in England’s best game under Tuchel, the 5-0 thrashing of Serbia in qualifying, and it is possible that Madueke could even usurp Saka as England’s starting winger later in the tournament if he impresses from the bench and Saka struggles for sharpness.
Tuchel’s biggest decision is on the left wing, and a choice between Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford. It is a strange dynamic, given Gordon signed for Barcelona days before travelling out to the US for this World Cup. He is effectively replacing Rashford, who spent the season on loan at the Nou Camp but will not have his temporary stay made permanent. Rashford is expected to find another place to play rather than return to Manchester United, where relations broke down last season.
Kane, of course, will lead the line. The England captain scored 61 goals for Bayern Munich this season, and provided seven assists, in an astonishing campaign. He is pursuing the Golden Boot and the Ballon d’Or in North America, as well as the World Cup.
How will England line up against Croatia in their 2026 World Cup opener?
Jordan Pickford will, of course, start in goal and we have a fairly clear idea of the back four. Reece James and Nico O’Reilly will be the full-backs, and the centre-back pairing will be two of Marc Guehi, John Stones and Ezri Konsa.
Both James and O’Reilly have played in midfield for Chelsea and Manchester City respectively this season and their ability and creativity on the ball – particularly James’s passing range – will add another element to the tenacity of Elliot Anderson and the drive of Declan Rice, England’s preferred pair in central midfield.
Jude Bellingham is most likely to start in the No 10 position. Morgan Rogers played a key role throughout qualifying and Tuchel took a hard line on Bellingham’s inclusion in the squad last autumn. But the Real Madrid midfielder is a leader for England, someone who can take the burden off Harry Kane both in terms of his attacking output, with his runs beyond the striker and by assuming responsibility on the field.
