England and Croatia will face off in their opening match of the World Cup on Wednesday, June 17. The match will take place at AT&T Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
England is a -145 favorite on the moneyline and Croatia is a +425 underdog. The over/under is 2.5 (+105o / -130u). England is -150 to cover the spread (-0.5) and Croatia is +115 to cover (+0.5).
Let’s get into England vs Croatia predictions for today's World Cup match.
England vs Croatia Odds, Prediction, Spread
| England Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-0.5 -150 | 2.5 +105o / -130u | -145 |
| Croatia Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+0.5 +115 | 2.5 +105o / -130u | +425 |
- Pick: Under 2.5 Goals
Our England vs Croatia best bet is for this match to go under 2.5 total goals. Find the best World Cup odds by checking our live soccer page.
England vs Croatia Betting Preview
This opening fixture in Group L is widely seen as a battle for the top spot. While England is the favorite, Croatia's pedigree in major competitions cannot be ignored. They were runners-up in 2018 and finished third in 2022, demonstrating a remarkable ability to perform on the biggest stage. This experience makes them a dangerous opponent, especially in a high-pressure opening match.
Historically, England has not always dominated the group stage as expected. Since the 1990 tournament, they have won just 11 of their 24 group matches, a win rate of only 45.83%. This suggests that the odds may not fully reflect the potential for a tight contest or even an upset. Croatia, led by the evergreen Luka Modric, will be prepared to exploit any vulnerabilities in England.
The head-to-head record between these two nations is extensive. They have met 11 times, with England holding a 6-3 advantage, with two draws. In their last five meetings, England has won three times. However, their most memorable recent clash at this level of competition was in the 2018 semifinals, where Croatia triumphed 2-1 in extra time to reach the final. Their most recent tournament encounter was a 1-0 England win during the group stage of the European Championships in 2021.
England vs Croatia Prediction
- Under 2.5 Goals (-139 at bet365)
- Under 2.0 Asian Goal Line (+130 at bet365)
England's transformation under Thomas Tuchel has been built on a foundation of defensive excellence. In eight qualifying matches for the 2026 tournament, his team did not concede a single goal. While effective, this approach has sometimes led to criticism for a lack of attacking adventure. This sets the stage for a tactical, low-scoring encounter against a disciplined Croatian side.
Croatia has a history of cagey opening matches in major tournaments. Their first game of the 2022 competition against Morocco ended in a 0-0 draw, and their 2018 opener was a 2-0 win over Nigeria, both results falling under the 2.5-goal line. The last time these two nations met in a major tournament, the match ended with a 1-0 victory for England, further supporting the case for a low goal total.
Given England's defensive record and tendency to control possession, Croatia will likely have limited opportunities. In their final warm-up game, England did not allow Costa Rica a single shot on target. While Croatia is a much stronger opponent, England's ability to suffocate attacks makes the Under 2.0 Asian Goal Line an attractive pick. This bet pushes if exactly two goals are scored, adding a layer of security in what is expected to be a close game.
England vs Croatia Projections
Projected Chance of Winning
| Croatia | Draw | England |
| 19.3% | 23.9% | 56.9% |
Projected Total Goals
| Croatia | Match Total | England |
| 0.82 | 2.43 | 1.61 |
