DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 16: Luka Modric #10 of Croatia participates in the training and of Croatia one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 16: Luka Modric #10 of Croatia participates in the training and of Croatia one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Thomas Tuchel will have to do without Bukayo Saka as England open their 2026 World Cup campaign against a Croatia side that will be led by Milan star Luka Modric, Inter’s Petar Sucic and an entire midfield of players currently plying their trade in Italy.
There are no Serie A representatives among the England squad: Milan’s Fikayo Tomori still not selected despite the recent withdrawal of Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento. Former Genoa full-back Djed Spence is named among the Three Lions substitutes.
Croatia, meanwhile, have plenty of Serie A representation among their 26-man squad: Fiorentina’s Marin Pongracic, Bologna’s Nikola Moro, Milan’s Modric, Inter’s Sucic, Torino’s Nikola Vlasic, Atalanta’s Mario Pasalic and Como’s Martin Baturina are all available for selection.
RIJEKA, CROATIA - JUNE 02: Jeremy Doku of Belgium is challenged by Luka Modric of Croatia during the international friendly match between Croatia and Belgium at Stadion HNK Rijeka on June 02, 2026 in Rijeka, Croatia. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)
RIJEKA, CROATIA – JUNE 02: Jeremy Doku of Belgium is challenged by Luka Modric of Croatia during the international friendly match between Croatia and Belgium at Stadion HNK Rijeka on June 02, 2026 in Rijeka, Croatia. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)
The entirety of the Croatia midfield will be made up of Serie A representatives, with Modric, Pasalic, Baturina and Sucic all selected to start.
Kick-off is due at 21.00 BST.
England vs. Croatia: Confirmed line-ups
**England (4-2-3-1):**Pickford; James, Konsa, Stones, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
**Subs:**Henderson, Trafford, Guehi, Burn, Spence, Quansah, Henderson, Mainoo, Rogers, Eze, Saka, Rashford, Watkins, Toney.
**Croatia (4-3-3):**Livakovic; Stanisic, Vuskovic, Gvardiol, Sutalo; Modric, Mario Pasalic, P.Sucic; Perisic, Musa, Baturina.
**Subs:**Pandur, Kotarski, Pongracic, Caleta-Car, Jakic, Erlic, Moro, Kovacic, Vlasic, Fruk, L.Sucic, Kramaric, Budimir, Matanovic, Marco Pasalic.
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