England vs Croatia World Cup betting guide
Two nations with major tournament pedigree collide in one of the standout opening fixtures of the 2026 World Cup, as England face Croatia in Group L on Wednesday, 17 June.
England head into the tournament carrying huge expectations after several deep runs at recent international competitions, while Croatia once again arrive with a squad capable of frustrating even the strongest opponents on the world stage.
With qualification likely to be fiercely contested in Group L, an early three points could completely change the complexion of the section before the second round of fixtures even begins.
Popular England vs Croatia betting options
Coral customers will be able to explore a huge range of betting markets ahead of kick-off, from traditional full-time result betting to player-focused and in-play specials.
Given the quality available in both squads, goals, bookings, and individual player markets are all expected to attract strong interest before the match gets underway.
Featured betting markets include:
- Full-time result
- Anytime goalscorer
- First player to score
- Over/under total goals
- Both teams to score
- Player card betting
- Correct score
- Bet builders
As one of the biggest early fixtures at the tournament, this game is likely to generate plenty of movement across multiple World Cup outright markets too.
Will England make an early statement in Group L?
Opening fixtures often set the tone for an entire World Cup campaign, especially when two strong nations meet immediately.
England will view this as an opportunity to build momentum from the outset, but Croatia’s tournament experience and composure in major matches will ensure another difficult test between the sides.
A positive result for either nation could significantly strengthen confidence heading into the remainder of the group stage, particularly with knockout qualification likely to be decided by fine margins.
What time does England vs Croatia kick off?
England vs Croatia takes place on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 BST.
The fixture is one of the headline matches from the opening week of the World Cup and forms part of the first round of Group L games.
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