Common Questions

Who does Croatia play first at the 2026 World Cup?: Croatia face England on 17 June 2026 in Arlington, Texas — a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final that Croatia won to reach the final.Source: FIFA
What is Croatia's best World Cup finish?: Croatia reached the World Cup final in 2018, losing to France, and finished third in 2022. Their golden generation, built around Luka Modrić, made them one of Europe's most consistent tournament sides.Source: FIFA
Is Luka Modrić playing in the 2026 World Cup for Croatia?: Modrić, who will be 40 during the 2026 tournament, is expected to be in Croatia's squad for what would likely be his farewell World Cup appearance. He remains Croatia's most decorated player.Source: Croatian Football Federation / sports media

Background

Croatia face England on 17 June 2026 in Arlington, Texas, in one of the tournament's higher-profile early fixtures. England's preliminary 55-player list must reach Thomas Tuchel by 11 May; the final 26 is submitted by 30 May and announced 1 June.

Croatia reached the 2018 World Cup final and finished third in 2022. Luka Modrić, now 40, is expected to be in the squad for a likely farewell tournament. The Croatia v England group fixture is a rematch of their 2018 World Cup semi-final, which Croatia won to advance to the final.

How the World Sees Them

Didier Deschamps / France

Everything's fine

FIFA / Gianni Infantino

Iran will be at the World Cup, for sure. Sports should be outside of politics.

Carlo Ancelotti / Brazil CBF

No regrets about taking an injured forward

FFIRI / Mehdi Taj

Expects US visas on Friday 5 June

UNITE HERE Local 11

Local 11 has widened its dispute with FIFA from the original Immigration and Customs Enforcement carve-out to four explicit demands, filed an NLRB charge and a California AG complaint naming FIFA as co-respondent on Friday 8 May, and rallied with gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer on Tuesday 19 May. The union's framing is that FIFA's silence is now the headline.

Giovanni Malagò / Italian Serie A clubs

Malagò filed his FIGC presidential candidacy on Thursday 14 May with a confirmed bloc past 50 per cent of the assembly vote after Lega B and Lega Pro declared for him before the Wednesday 13 May deadline. The professional clubs back him on the explicit basis that the three reforms Italian football needs all require parliamentary access only he can deliver.

FIFA

FIFA has not responded to UNITE HERE Local 11's filings since Friday 8 May, has not commented on Kroenke Sports & Entertainment's position, and has not addressed the California Consumer Privacy Act accreditation question. The opening ceremony confirmation on Monday 11 May was treated as the editorial pivot for the SoFi venue.

Thomas Tuchel / The Football Association

Tuchel reversed three windows of Alexander-Arnold exclusion when England's right-back options collapsed (Ben White knee, Tino Livramento unavailable, Reece James fragile), citing the team's structural need. He has publicly said Bellingham will travel if at all fit, accepting the risk of a hamstring described by Real Madrid medical staff as worse than first feared.

Didier Deschamps / Fédération Française de Football

Deschamps treated the Camavinga omission as a tactical and balance decision in his Thursday 14 May TF1 announcement, with Mbappé reconfirmed as captain. He has framed this World Cup as his last in charge, lending the final 26 the editorial weight of a personal closing statement.