England's starting XI: Tuchel's bold choices
Thomas Tuchel has named an adventurous starting line-up for England's 2026 World Cup opener against Croatia, with Jude Bellingham deployed as a number 10 and Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke providing width on the flanks. The absence of Bukayo Saka – ruled out through injury – forces a reshuffle, but Tuchel has opted for pace and directness in the final third.
Captain Harry Kane leads the line, supported by Bellingham in an advanced midfield role. Declan Rice anchors the midfield alongside Conor Gallagher, while John Stones and Marc Guehi form the central defensive partnership. Jordan Pickford continues in goal. The formation is an aggressive 4-2-3-1, with Bellingham given license to roam.
Croatia's Serie A contingent: Modric leads the charge
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has included four players with current or historic Serie A ties in his starting line-up, headlined by legendary captain Luka Modric. The 40-year-old – now at Al-Nassr but an icon of Italian football following his 2018 Ballon d'Or win – pulls the strings from central midfield.
Joining Modric are three genuine Serie A stars: Mario Pasalic of Atalanta, Nikola Vlasic of Torino, and defender Martin Erlic of Sassuolo. Pasalic offers box-to-box energy and a goal threat from midfield, Vlasic provides creativity in the final third, and Erlic partners Josko Gvardiol at centre-back. The remainder of the side is filled with experienced campaigners, including Dominik Livakovic in goal and Ivan Perisic on the wing.
Key Takeaways
- Bukayo Saka's injury forces Thomas Tuchel to explore alternative attacking options from the start of the tournament.
- Jude Bellingham's deployment as a number 10 signals England's intent to dominate possession and create chances through the middle.
- Luka Modric's enduring quality at 40 remains the heartbeat of Croatia's midfield, while three Serie A regulars support his creative duties.
- Both teams field strong line-ups, but England's depth and pace on the wings could prove decisive in the Texas heat.
- The result of this Group D clash could set the tone for the rest of the tournament for both nations.
Quick Facts
Fixture: England vs Croatia
Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup – Group D
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas (capacity 70,000)
Kick-off: 3pm local time (4pm EDT, 9pm BST, 6am AEST)
TV/Stream: Broadcaster details not yet confirmed for all territories
Source: Football Italia; additional reporting from The Guardian
