England and Croatia renew one of international football’s most charged modern rivalries at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday, June 17, with kickoff set for 4 p.m. ET. This is the opening match of Group L, which also includes Ghana and Panama later in the evening. For Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions, the match carries the weight of expectation that has followed English football for six decades. For Croatia, their third consecutive World Cup encounter with England carries the memory of heartbreak from the 2018 semi-final, where they came from behind to eliminate the Three Lions in extra time. History and stakes make this the most compelling match of the opening round.
England arrive in Dallas having completed World Cup qualifying with a perfect record — eight wins from eight matches — and Harry Kane fresh off an astonishing 58-goal season across all competitions for Bayern Munich. Tuchel has built his squad around Kane’s lethal finishing, Jude Bellingham’s creative dynamism from midfield, and the relentless defensive energy of Declan Rice. Croatia, meanwhile, remain a dangerous and experienced side despite the passing of years since their 2018 golden generation. The two sides have met in World Cup competition once before: Croatia’s famous extra-time semi-final win in Russia. England have not forgotten.
England open as clear betting favorites at -141 to -143 on the moneyline, with Croatia available at around +410 and the draw priced around +275. The correct score market offers England 2-0 at +600 and a 2-1 England win at +700, reflecting the widespread expectation of a tight, competitive match decided by a single goal. New bettors looking to get involved can claim a welcome offer through a Caesars Promo Code or a FanDuel Promo Code for boosted first-bet value on this Group L opener.
Harry Kane enters this tournament having scored 58 goals in 50 appearances for Bayern Munich across all competitions in 2025-26, a remarkable return that cements his status as one of the world’s elite strikers. With 112 international caps to his name, Kane is the focal point of everything England do going forward. Alongside him, Jude Bellingham is finally finding the partnership chemistry with Kane that was missing during Euro 2024. In their June warm-up against Costa Rica, the pair connected repeatedly, with Bellingham’s intelligence in moving into space when Kane drops deep creating genuine danger. Declan Rice was instrumental in Arsenal’s Premier League title triumph and brings that form directly into the tournament. England qualified with eight wins from eight matches — a perfect record that reflects Tuchel’s organizational impact since taking charge. For current odds on this match across platforms, see the Live Sports Betting Odds page.
Croatia shocked England in 2018 and nearly did so again at Euro 2020, where they opened with a 1-0 group stage win over the Three Lions before England recovered to top the group. They know how to play against this England side, and their experienced core — despite being a different vintage to the Modric-Rakitic generation — carries that institutional knowledge. Croatia are expected to sit deep, defend compactly, and look to transition quickly through quick attackers. At +410 on the moneyline and the draw at +275, there is genuine market value if you believe this game follows the pattern of close England tournament openers. Check Sportsbook Reviews to find where to access the best draw odds before kickoff.
England are better organized under Tuchel than they were under Southgate, Kane is in the form of his career, and the partnership with Bellingham is finally clicking. Croatia will make this difficult but lack the depth of quality to contain England for 90 minutes. Expect England to find a winner in the second half.
England at -141 represents solid value given Kane’s extraordinary season, Tuchel’s perfect qualifying record, and the Three Lions’ superior squad depth. Croatia will threaten, but England’s quality should prevail in what shapes up as a competitive, entertaining opener. Claim a new-account deal through a ESPN BET Promo Code to maximize your return on England’s opening match.
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