England kick off their World Cup adventure against Croatia
If it finally comes home for England, it will come home from the other side of the planet, as Thomas Tuchel‘s men kick off their World Cup 2026 Group L adventure against Croatia at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
The Three Lions’ first foes in North America have also been sporting the bridesmaid’s dress at recent major tournaments, albeit while still making it onto the podium against the odds.
England’s last football World Cup win did not come in 1966. The Under-17s and Under-20s both conquered the globe in the summer of 2017, but only senior-level success will belatedly end 60 years of torturous torment.
If the Mundial trophy was awarded on qualifying form alone, England would already be making parade plans, having become the first UEFA nation to book their spot at the 2026 event courtesy of a perfect eight wins and eight clean sheets in the preliminary phase.
The 1966 champions have conversely managed four victories and three stalemates in that sequence, winning each of their last two maiden Mundial matches against Tunisia and Iran, but World Cup history does not favour the men in white.
While not among the chief contenders for global glory in our World Cup betting guide, Croatia’s major competition gravitas speaks for itself, having collected medals at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, as well as the 2022-23 Nations League.
However, Zlatko Dalic‘s side have more than one point to prove after an abysmal showing at Euro 2024, during which they crashed out in the group stage without a single win to their name; their worst big tournament performance since the 2006 World Cup.
While Tuchel is not working with any severe concerns ahead of game one, a big question mark is hanging over the head of Arsenal wing wizard Bukayo Saka, who is reportedly struggling to prove his fitness in time.
Gunners teammate Noni Madueke could therefore be given the nod on the right-hand side of England’s attack, which is also expected to feature winger Anthony Gordon at the expense of Marcus Rashford.
Tuchel is also expected to side with Jude Bellingham over Morgan Rogers in the number 10 slot, but it is anybody’s guess as to whether Ezri Konsa, John Stones and/or Marc Guehi shield Jordan Pickford.
Meanwhile, Croatia arrive in Arlington with all of their options available, including the evergreen Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic, who amassed 26 goals and assists combined for PSV Eindhoven last season.
Hoffenheim legend Andrej Kramaric registered just three fewer involvements in 2025-26, but local reports have suggested that Dallas striker Petar Musa – who has 12 goals in 13 MLS games in 2026 – could be given the nod in the number nine role instead.
England possible starting lineup:
Pickford; James, Stones, Konsa, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Croatia possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Stanisic, Modric, Kovacic, Perisic; Sucic, Baturina; Musa
Prediction
While the most famous result in this head-to-head went Croatia’s way, England have since gone unbeaten in three against the Chequered Ones, who come into the World Cup with a dissatisfactory defensive record.
Dalic’s men have conceded in each of their last six matches – shipping 10 goals in total – so even though it may not be pretty, an opening Three Lions triumph is surely on the cards.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Portugal open their Group K campaign Congo DR
Portugal‘s search for glory at the 2026 World Cup will begin today when they open their Group K campaign with a contest against Congo DR.
Portugal have never won the World Cup, but they are being tipped as potential challengers for the trophy this summer, considering the quality in their squad.
Portugal’s best performance in the finals of a World Cup came back in 1966, when they finished third. Since then, it has been a struggle for the national side, who were fourth in 2006 and losing quarter-finalists last time out in Qatar.
Portugal have underachieved in this competition given the quality of their squads in recent history, they have a recent major international title to their name, having triumphed at Euro 2016, but this is the trophy that a certain Cristiano Ronaldo really wants.
Roberto Martinez‘s side are the strong favourites to top Group K, which also includes Colombia and Uzbekistan, and they have entered the 2026 World Cup off the back of three straight friendly wins over USA, Chile and Nigeria.
Portugal finished their qualification campaign for this competition with a 9-1 win over Armenia, but they did lose to Republic of Ireland late last year, and there remain question marks over their ability to seriously challenge for the trophy this summer.
History will be made on Wednesday as Portugal lock horns with Congo DR for the first time, and it would go down as one of the biggest shocks in the competition if they were unable to overcome Congo DR.
The Leopards managed to qualify for their first World Cup in 52 years when Axel Tuanzebe’s extra-time goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in their intercontinental play-off final in Mexico back in March.
Congo DR reached the last-16 stage of the recent Africa Cup of Nations, and they have won two of their last four matches, only suffering one defeat in the process.
The expanded World Cup has certainly given Sebastien Desabre’s team a better chance of reaching the knockout round of the competition, with one victory in the section potentially being enough to qualify in third spot.
Portugal will represent Congo DR’s toughest test in Group K, and their match against Uzbekistan on June 27 could be crucial when it comes to their chances of advancing.
Portugal have no injury concerns heading into this match, and there are unlikely to be any major surprises when it comes to their starting XI here, with 41-year-old Ronaldo set to lead the line on his 229th appearance for the national side.
Ronaldo will be aiming to add to his 143 international goals this summer and will be looking to improve on a disappointing 2022 World Cup, which saw him only register once.
This is a tough opener for Congo DR, and we are expecting Portugal to be far too strong for their opponents on Wednesday. The best world cup betting sites price Martinez’s team as the strong favourites to finish at the top of Group K, and that is difficult to argue.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
