Croatia and England have played each other twice in 2026. England won the World Cup group-stage opener 4-2 in June. Then, in the Nations League on 3 October, they won 7-0 in Rijeka. The sides meet again at Wembley on Thursday 12 November, so the lineups from the last two games show what to expect.
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Latest Meeting: Croatia 0-7 England (3 October 2026)
The Group A3 match was played at Stadion HNK Rijeka, with a limited crowd because of a UEFA sanction against Croatia. Harry Kane scored in the 8th and 53rd minutes, Jude Bellingham in the 21st, Anthony Gordon in the 39th, Bukayo Saka in the 45th and 68th, and Morgan Rogers in the 87th.
England XI (4-2-3-1)
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Jordan Pickford |
| Defence | Jarell Quansah, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Lewis Hall |
| Midfield | Elliot Anderson, Alex Scott |
| Attacking midfield | Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon |
| Striker | Harry Kane |
Croatia XI (4-2-3-1)
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Dominik Livaković |
| Defence | Josip Stanišić, Luka Vušković, Joško Gvardiol, Ivan Perišić |
| Midfield | Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić |
| Attacking midfield | Franjo Ivanović, Petar Sučić, Martin Baturina |
| Striker | Petar Musa |
These XIs follow the most widely reported lineups. Croatia were without Martin Erlić, who withdrew with a hamstring problem, and England were without Nico O’Reilly, who returned to Manchester City injured. That opened the left-back slot for Hall and made Quansah’s start on the right possible.
England’s pressing and runners from midfield overwhelmed Croatia’s double pivot. Anderson and Scott protected the back line while Bellingham, Saka and Gordon rotated behind Kane, who dropped deep and set up Saka’s sixth goal.
The World Cup Opener: England 4-2 Croatia (17 June 2026)
In Dallas, Kane scored a 12th-minute penalty, after a retake for encroachment, and added a second before half-time. Martin Baturina and Petar Musa answered for Croatia, and Bellingham and Marcus Rashford sealed it. Rashford and Saka both came on in the 73rd minute, and their pace was too much for Croatia’s defence. Croatia lined up in a 3-4-3 that day, with Pickford and O’Reilly among England’s starters. I couldn’t confirm the full XIs for this match, but the formation contrast with October is notable. Croatia used a back three at the World Cup and a back four in Rijeka.
Tactical Picture
England under Thomas Tuchel play a flexible 4-2-3-1. The double pivot of Anderson and Scott gives balance. Bellingham drifts between the lines, and Saka and Gordon attack the half-spaces. Kane scores and also links play.
Croatia under Slaven Bilić still rely on Modrić and Kovačić, but the midfield has been outrun in both recent meetings. Their strengths are Gvardiol, Perišić’s crossing and the young creators Baturina and Sučić. The question is whether they go back to a back three to add cover.
Form Going Into the Wembley Rematch
England lost 3-2 to Spain on matchday one, then beat Czechia and Croatia. Croatia opened with a 2-1 win in Czechia before a 4-1 defeat to Spain. The group table has Spain on top with England and Croatia chasing. Yahoo Sports
England host Croatia at Wembley on Thursday 12 November, with a 7:45pm kick-off.
Predicted Lineups for 12 November
These are predictions, not confirmed team news.
England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Quansah, Konsa, Guéhi, Hall; Anderson, Scott; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane. If Alexander-Arnold or O’Reilly is fit, one may come in, and Rashford and Rogers are options off the bench.
Croatia (4-2-3-1): Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo or Vušković, Gvardiol, Perišić; Modrić, Kovačić; Ivanović, Sučić, Baturina; Musa or Kramarić. Expect Bilić to protect the midfield after the heavy loss.
Latest 10 Head-to-Head Matches
| Date | Match | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Oct 2026 | Croatia 0-7 England | Nations League | England win |
| 17 Jun 2026 | England 4-2 Croatia | World Cup, Group L | England win |
| 13 Jun 2021 | England 1-0 Croatia | Euro 2020, Group D | England win |
| 18 Nov 2018 | England 2-1 Croatia | Nations League | England win |
| 12 Oct 2018 | Croatia 0-0 England | Nations League | Draw |
| 11 Jul 2018 | Croatia 2-1 England (aet) | World Cup semi-final | Croatia win |
| 9 Sep 2009 | England 5-1 Croatia | World Cup qualifying | England win |
| 10 Sep 2008 | Croatia 1-4 England | World Cup qualifying | England win |
| 21 Nov 2007 | England 2-3 Croatia | Euro 2008 qualifying | Croatia win |
| 11 Oct 2006 | Croatia 2-0 England | Euro 2008 qualifying | Croatia win |
Last 10: England 6 wins, Croatia 3, 1 draw. I verified the 2018 to 2026 results from match reports. The 2006 to 2009 rows come from my own records, so check them against UEFA.com before publishing.
5 FAQs
1. What was the score the last time Croatia played England?
England won 7-0 in Rijeka on 3 October 2026 in the Nations League. Before that, England won 4-2 at the World Cup in June.
2. When do Croatia and England play next?
On Thursday 12 November at Wembley, with a 7:45pm kick-off, in the final home game of England’s 2026 schedule.
3. Who scored in the 7-0 win?
Kane scored twice, Saka twice, and Bellingham, Gordon and Rogers once each.
4. Who manages each team?
Thomas Tuchel manages England and Slaven Bilić manages Croatia.
5. Who has the better head-to-head record?
England, with six wins from the last ten meetings against Croatia’s three. Croatia’s biggest win in the series came in the 2018 World Cup semi-final.
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