The waiting is over. FIFA World Cup 2026 finally has its full group stage schedule, and England fans can now pencil in the Three Lions’ first test: a mouth-watering Group L opener against familiar foes Croatia. According to a report from FourFourTwo, Gareth Southgate's side will kick off their campaign on June 16 at the iconic MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The match marks the latest chapter in a compelling modern rivalry—Croatia famously ended England’s dreams in the semi-finals of Russia 2018, and the sides also met in the group stage of Euro 2020. Now, with a new generation of talent on both sides, the stakes are even higher as the expanded 48-team tournament gets under way.
Match Details at a Glance
Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Kick-off: 8:00 p. m. local time (ET) / 1:00 a. m. BST (Wednesday, June 17)
Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group L
TV (UK): BBC One / BBC iPlayer
TV (US): FOX / Telemundo
FIFA has allocated the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium as one of the marquee venues for the group stage, and the England-Croatia clash is expected to be a complete sell-out, with fans from both nations flooding the New York metropolitan area.
Team News and Key Players
England enter the tournament as one of the favourites, buoyed by a potent attack led by captain Harry Kane and the creative brilliance of Jude Bellingham. Southgate has favoured a flexible 4-2-3-1 system in warm-up matches, with Declan Rice anchoring the midfield and Bukayo Saka providing width on the right. There are slight concerns over John Stones’ fitness after a minor knock in training, but the Manchester City defender is expected to be available.
Croatia, meanwhile, will once again lean on the ageless Luka Modrić, who at 40 remains the heartbeat of the side. Head coach Zlatko Dalić has blended experience with youth, and the emergence of RB Leipzig defender Joško Gvardiol as a world-class centre-back gives the Vatreni a formidable spine. Expect a midfield battle for the ages between Modrić, Mateo Kovačić and England’s Rice-Bellingham axis.
“England will take on Croatia in their opening Group L game of the World Cup,” confirmed the governing body, setting up a repeat of two tense tournament encounters from 2018 and 2021.
Head-to-Head and Recent Form
These nations have met eleven times in all competitions, with England winning five, Croatia four, and two draws. The most painful memory for England fans remains the 2-1 extra-time defeat in the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Moscow. However, the Three Lions gained a measure of revenge with a 1-0 victory at Wembley in the Euro 2020 group stage. In their last four meetings, every game has been decided by a single goal or penalties, underscoring the tight margins expected again in New Jersey.
England’s form leading into the tournament has been impressive: seven wins and two draws in their last nine fixtures, including a comfortable 3-0 victory over South American opposition in a March friendly. Croatia’s build-up has been more mixed, with a surprise defeat to Slovenia in March raising questions about their defensive organisation, but they rebounded with a gritty 2-1 win over Sweden last week.
How to Watch for Free
Fans across the globe can catch the action without a subscription. In the UK, BBC One and BBC iPlayer will provide free-to-air coverage, while in the US, FOX and Telemundo are available with an over-the-air antenna. For viewers in territories without a free broadcaster, a VPN may be used to connect to UK or US streams, though always check local regulations. Radio commentary will also be available globally via the FIFA Sound platform.
Key Takeaways
- England’s World Cup 2026 journey begins on June 16 against Croatia at MetLife Stadium—a rematch of the 2018 semi-final.
- The fixture is a Group L encounter in the new 48-team format, with kick-off set for 8 p. m. ET (1 a. m. BST).
- Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham will spearhead the Three Lions, while 40-year-old Luka Modrić captains Croatia one last time.
- History suggests a tight contest: seven of the last eight meetings have been decided by a single goal or gone to extra time.
- UK viewers can watch live and free on BBC One; US fans need only an aerial for FOX/Telemundo coverage.