England v Croatia World Cup Prediction: 13/10 Kane can contribute

England have never reached a World Cup final on foreign soil and their 2026 challenge commences with a tricky task against Croatia, who were runners up to France eight years ago.

The Three Lions face Zlatko Dalic’s side at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Wednesday in a contest assessed by Racing Post football expert Dan Childs.

Thomas Tuchel was identified as the man to give England their best chance of ending a 60-year-wait for global glory, but the German is fully aware of the need to keep the pressure off his players and has downplayed talk of them being tournament favourites.

Under Gareth Southgate, England progressed to the Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 finals with the help of favourable draws, but they ran into France at the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup and suffered a painful 2-1 defeat.

The last World Cup meeting between England and Croatia came in the semi-finals of Russia 2018, with the Croatians winning 2-1 after extra-time.

And Croatia also went a step further than England at Qatar 2022, where they conquered Brazil in the quarter-finals before losing 3-0 to Argentina in the final four.

However, Croatia experienced a group-stage exit at Euro 2024 and they have a bit to prove over the next few weeks.

England v Croatia Tips Summary

Best Bet - England to win @ 8/11
Alternative Bet - Harry Kane to score anytime @ 13/10
Bet Builder - Harry Kane 1+ shots on target, Marin Pongracic to be carded & under 3 goals @ 13/2

More.
Offers.
Than.
Ever!

A new offer will be available every day of the World Cup!

— bet365 (@bet365) June 8, 2026

England v Croatia Prediction

Best Bet: England to win @ 8/11

England have registered two wins over Croatia since being beaten by the Balkan nation at Russia 2018, and they can commence their 2026 World Cup challenge with a vital victory.

Finishing top of Group L is the realistic aim for Tuchel’s side, who have made fairly smooth progress since the German’s appointment before the start of World Cup qualifying.

The Three Lions were one of two European nations (alongside Norway) to win all of their qualifiers and did so without conceding any goals.

Solid defence is the bedrock for most successful sides, but England’s greatest strength is in attack.

England’s wealth of offensive options forced some tough decisions from Tuchel, who left Phil Foden and Cole Palmer out of his squad.

They have depth in all areas and look in better shape to contend than Croatia, who may struggle to replicate their unexpected run to the final four in Qatar.

Croatia lost 2-0 at home to Belgium in a warm up game and may taste defeat in a World Cup opener for the first time since 2014 when they were beaten 3-1 by Brazil.

Alternative Bet: Harry Kane to score anytime @ 13/10

Harry Kane continues to be England’s talisman and looks primed to shine at his third World Cup.

Kane is full of confidence having bagged 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich during the 2025/26 campaign.

He has scored eight World Cup goals and can add to that tally under the roof in Arlington.

England v Croatia Bet Builder Tip

• Harry Kane 1+ shots on target

• Marin Pongracic to be carded

• Under 3 goals

  
  Pays 13/2

Keeping Kane quiet could be a tough task for Croatia, who seem to have lost their defensive discipline.

Kane had 67 shots on target in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season - more than any other player - and should at least test the reflexes of Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic.

The task of getting tight to Kane may fall to Fiorentina centre-back Marin Pongracic, who relishes a physical encounter.

Pongracic received 12 Serie A yellow cards over the course of last season and looks a strong candidate for an early World Cup caution.

Croatia will look to keep controlled possession and stay in the contest for as long as possible. They can give England a decent game and limit the Three Lions to a modest margin of victory.

Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.

Key Match Stats

• England have won their last ten competitive games without conceding any goals

• The Three Lions have won four of their last eight competitive fixtures by a 2-0 scoreline

• Five of England's last six games have featured less than three goals

• England have started the scoring in 16 of their last 17 matches

• Croatia have gone six games without keeping a clean sheet

• The Croatians have conceded the first goal in five of their last six fixtures

Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.