England will open their 2026 World Cup campaign against Croatia in Group L on Wednesday, June 17, in Arlington, Texas, reviving the 2018 semifinal clash.
Both teams have announced their 26-man squads.
>>> Giants Pitchers Face Backlash Over Bible Verses on Pride Caps
England manager Thomas Tuchel and Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic finalized their rosters for the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Tuchel Under Performance Pressure
The match carries extra stakes for Tuchel.
FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham confirmed that Tuchel's contract extension signed in February includes performance clauses tied to the tournament.
Bullingham declined to disclose specific dismissal terms but expressed confidence in the long-term partnership. England captain Harry Kane praised the team's preparation after a training camp in Florida.
>>> Messi Hat Trick, De Paul Assist Make MLS History as Argentina Beats Algeria 3-0
“The way we worked, trained, prepared for matches, played, and the unity of the group—reconnecting as a team—was excellent,” Kane said.
England arrived in Kansas City on Saturday after friendly wins over New Zealand and Costa Rica.
Croatia eliminated England 2-1 in the 2018 World Cup semifinal and finished as runners-up.
>>> Pirates Rally Past Athletics 6-5 on Late Home Runs by Lowe, Reynolds
Group L also features Ghana against Panama later on June 17. Below are the official squad lists for both teams.
England Squad
- Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)
- Defenders: Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), John Stones (Manchester City), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Valentino Livramento (Newcastle), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Reece James (Chelsea), Djed Spence (Tottenham), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
- Forwards: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Al Ahli)
Croatia Squad
- Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivor Pandur (Hull City), Dominik Kotarski (FC Copenhagen)
- Defenders: Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina), Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Sutalo (Ajax), Kristijan Jakic (Augsburg), Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg), Martin Erlic (Midtjylland)
- Midfielders: Nikola Moro (Bologna), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Luka Modric (AC Milan), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Martin Baturina (Como), Petar Sucic (Inter Milan), Toni Fruk (Rijeka), Luka Sucic (Real Sociedad)
- Forwards: Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Ivan Perisic (PSV), Igor Matanovic (Freiburg), Marco Pasalic (Orlando City), Petar Musa (FC Dallas)
