England open their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Croatia at 9pm BST on Wednesday 17 June 2026, live and free-to-air on ITV1, with coverage from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Dallas beginning at 8pm BST. The tie is a Group L opener and an immediate rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Moscow, when Croatia edged England 2-1 after extra time to end Gareth Southgate's first tournament one win short of the final. This time Thomas Tuchel's side arrive in Texas as one of the form teams of European qualifying, the only UEFA nation alongside Norway to take maximum points and the sole qualifier from the section not to concede a single goal across eight matches. The WP Times has compiled the confirmed kick-off time, the UK TV channel and free streaming options, venue logistics, the head-to-head record and a full guide to where Westminster and Pimlico residents can watch the match in central London.
For UK supporters this is among the better-scheduled fixtures of the entire tournament. A 3pm local kick-off in Texas converts to a midweek 9pm evening slot in Britain, comfortably inside prime time and avoiding the small-hours start times that will plague many West Coast group games. Below you will find everything you need ahead of the first whistle, from the exact ITV start time and the ITVX live stream to predicted line-ups, the historical context of one of England's most loaded rivalries, and a curated list of bars and pubs across Westminster, Pimlico and Victoria showing the game on the big screen. Whether you are planning to watch at home or head out, this is your single reference point for England vs Croatia at World Cup 2026.
England vs Croatia kick-off time (UK)
The match kicks off at 9pm BST (21:00) on Wednesday 17 June 2026. That equals 3pm local time in Texas (CDT), 4pm on the US East Coast (ET) and 10pm in Zagreb (CEST). ITV1's build-up programming starts an hour before, at 8pm BST, with team news, the line-ups and pre-match analysis.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fixture | England vs Croatia (Group L) |
| Date | Wednesday 17 June 2026 |
| UK kick-off | 9pm BST (21:00) |
| Local kick-off | 3pm CDT (Dallas) |
| US East Coast | 4pm ET |
| Venue | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Dallas |
| UK TV channel | ITV1 |
| UK live stream | ITVX (free) |
| Coverage starts | 8pm BST |
How to watch England vs Croatia in the UK
England vs Croatia is shown live and free-to-air on ITV1 in the UK. There is no subscription, pay-TV package or paywall involved. Coverage begins at 8pm BST, with the confirmed England line-up published roughly 75 minutes before kick-off.
For viewers who prefer to stream, ITVX carries the match free of charge — you simply need a free ITVX account, which takes a couple of minutes to set up. You can also watch through the ITV website directly on desktop or via the ITVX app on smart TVs, mobiles, tablets, games consoles and streaming sticks. In Scotland the broadcast is carried by STV, with streaming via STV Player. This sits within the wider UK broadcast picture for World Cup 2026, where every one of the 104 matches is shown free-to-air across BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1 and ITV4, with free streaming on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. It is one of the most accessible major tournaments British audiences have had: no pay-TV is required for a single fixture, including the final on 19 July.
Quick streaming checklist
- ITV1 — main free-to-air channel, coverage from 8pm BST
- ITVX — free live stream, requires a free sign-up
- ITV.com — browser-based streaming on desktop
- STV / STV Player — for viewers in Scotland
The venue: AT&T Stadium, Dallas
England face Croatia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, just outside Dallas — home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and one of the largest covered venues in the world, with a potential crowd in excess of 80,000. Crucially, the stadium has a retractable roof, which is expected to be closed to keep out the baking mid-June Texas afternoon heat for a 3pm local kick-off. That should benefit both sides by removing the punishing humidity that will define many other group games played in open stadiums.
The choice of a roofed, climate-controlled arena for England's opener is one of the more favourable logistical draws available to Tuchel's squad. England then travel north-east for the remainder of Group L, facing Ghana at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Boston on 23 June (9pm BST, BBC One) and Panama at MetLife Stadium just outside New York on 27 June (10pm BST, ITV1).
England's route through Group L
England were drawn into Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama following the World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on 5 December 2025. The top two teams from each of the 12 groups advance to the Round of 32, joined by the eight best third-placed sides — meaning England realistically need to finish in the top two to progress comfortably.
| Date | Fixture | Venue | UK time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 17 June | England v Croatia | Dallas | 9pm BST | ITV1 |
| Tue 23 June | England v Ghana | Boston | 9pm BST | BBC One |
| Sat 27 June | Panama v England | New York/NJ | 10pm BST | ITV1 |
On paper England will be heavy favourites against Ghana and Panama, which loads enormous significance onto the Croatia opener. A win in Dallas would put Tuchel's side in a commanding position to top the group and earn a theoretically kinder knockout draw; a defeat would leave little margin for error across the remaining two fixtures.
Head-to-head: England vs Croatia
The two nations have met eleven times. England have won six, Croatia three, with two draws. Yet the meetings that linger in the memory are the ones that hurt. Croatia knocked England out of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, coming from behind to win the semi-final 2-1 after extra time in Moscow — Mario Mandžukić's late strike ending a generation's dream of a first final since 1966.
England gained a measure of revenge in the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League, beating Croatia 2-1 at Wembley to top the group and relegate the Croatians. The sides also met at the rescheduled EURO 2020, where Raheem Sterling's goal gave England a 1-0 win in their opening group game at Wembley. Outside Sweden, no other nation has faced England as frequently at major tournaments in the 21st century.
What the records say
- England are making their 17th FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026, their eighth consecutive participation — their longest streak since missing out in 1994, when the tournament was last staged in the United States.
- Since their sole World Cup triumph in 1966, England have progressed beyond the quarter-finals only twice: 1990 and 2018, finishing fourth on both occasions.
- England have lost just one of their last eight World Cup openers (W4 D3) — a 2-1 defeat to Italy in 2014.
- Croatia, by contrast, have won only one of their last five opening matches (D1 L3) — a 2-0 victory over Nigeria in 2018.
- This is Croatia's seventh World Cup appearance; their best finish remains the runners-up spot in 2018.
Team news and predicted line-ups
Harry Kane captains England, with Luka Modrić — now in the twilight of a glittering career — leading Croatia. Tuchel will be weighing a fitness concern over Bukayo Saka, with Noni Madueke understood to be in contention to start on the right flank if Saka is not deemed fully fit. The confirmed England starting eleven will appear on ITV and the official England channels around 75 minutes before kick-off.
Tuchel, who guided Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021, carries the weight of ending England's 60-year wait for a major men's trophy. England's qualifying campaign offered genuine grounds for optimism: eight wins from eight, not a single goal conceded, and a settled spine. Croatia, meanwhile, won seven of their eight qualifiers, with only a goalless draw away to Czechia in Prague denying them a perfect record. The questions for the Croatians centre on the legs of an ageing core and whether Modrić can still dictate the tempo against England's energetic midfield.
The 2018 semi-final still defines this fixture in the English imagination. A repeat result would be a body blow at the very first hurdle; a win would exorcise one of the most painful nights of the Southgate era and announce England as genuine contenders.
Where to watch England vs Croatia in Westminster and Pimlico
For Westminster, Pimlico and Victoria residents who would rather watch among the crowd than at home, central London offers no shortage of pubs and sports bars screening the match on the big screen. A midweek 9pm kick-off makes it an ideal after-work fixture — arrive early, as England group games reliably fill the best venues well before the first whistle. Here are the spots The WP Times recommends across SW1.
The Cask Pub and Kitchen (Pimlico)
A craft-beer institution just off Tachbrook Street, The Cask shows major football on screens and combines one of the best beer selections in SW1 with a relaxed, knowledgeable crowd. Smaller than a dedicated sports bar, so it rewards an early arrival, but the atmosphere for a big England night is hard to beat.
The Morpeth Arms (Pimlico, riverside)
A handsome Victorian pub on Millbank with views across the Thames towards the MI6 building, the Morpeth Arms screens the football and offers a more characterful setting than the chains. Good for a pre-match pint along the river before the 9pm kick-off, with a sizeable interior to absorb the crowd.
The Speaker (Westminster)
Tucked away on Great Peter Street close to the Houses of Parliament, this traditional Westminster local is a favourite with the after-work civil-service crowd. A proper pub atmosphere rather than a screens-everywhere sports bar, but it shows the big matches and fills with a lively, partisan crowd on England nights.
The Albert (Victoria)
A grand Grade II-listed pub on Victoria Street, The Albert has the space and the screens to handle a tournament crowd and sits within easy walking distance of Victoria, St James's Park and Westminster stations. A reliable, central choice if you want size, accessibility and a guaranteed view of the action.
The Sports Bar & Grill (Victoria)
Right by Victoria station, this is the dedicated big-screen option in the area — multiple HD screens, table service and a purpose-built matchday atmosphere. The most "sports bar" of the SW1 choices and the safest bet if your priority is wall-to-wall coverage and a charged crowd. Booking ahead for England games is strongly advised.
Tips for matchday
- Arrive by 8pm BST — an hour before kick-off — to claim a table or a clear view, especially at the smaller pubs.
- Book ahead at dedicated sports bars like The Sports Bar & Grill; England group games sell out tables fast.
- Plan your journey — Pimlico, Victoria, Westminster and St James's Park stations all serve SW1, with the match finishing around 11pm, comfortably before the last Tube.
Why this match matters
England vs Croatia is far more than a routine group opener. It is a rematch laden with history, a meeting of the form team of European qualifying against the side that broke English hearts in 2018, and the fixture most likely to decide who tops Group L. For Tuchel, it is the first real test of whether qualifying form translates to tournament substance. For Croatia and Modrić, it may be the last great World Cup tilt of a golden generation. And for UK viewers, it is a rare midweek prime-time World Cup night, free-to-air on ITV1, with no subscription required and a 9pm kick-off that the whole country can watch. Set a reminder, pick your venue, and be ready for 8pm BST coverage on 17 June.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does England vs Croatia kick off in the UK? England vs Croatia kicks off at 9pm BST (21:00) on Wednesday 17 June 2026. ITV1's coverage and build-up begins at 8pm BST, an hour before the first whistle. The kick-off equates to 3pm local time in Dallas (CDT) and 4pm on the US East Coast.
What channel is England vs Croatia on? The match is live and free-to-air on ITV1 in the UK. In Scotland it is carried by STV. There is no pay-TV subscription required — England's opener, like all 104 World Cup 2026 matches, is shown free-to-air in the UK across BBC and ITV.
How can I stream England vs Croatia for free? You can stream the match free on ITVX, which requires a quick free sign-up. It is also available on the ITV website on desktop and the ITVX app across smart TVs, mobiles, tablets, consoles and streaming sticks. Scottish viewers can stream via STV Player.
Where is England vs Croatia being played? The match is at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, just outside Dallas, Texas — home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. The roofed, climate-controlled stadium holds in excess of 80,000 and its retractable roof is expected to be closed to manage the Texas afternoon heat.
Who are England playing at World Cup 2026? England are in Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama. After Croatia on 17 June, they face Ghana in Boston on 23 June (9pm BST, BBC One) and Panama near New York on 27 June (10pm BST, ITV1). The top two teams in the group advance to the Round of 32.
What is the head-to-head record between England and Croatia? The teams have met eleven times: England have won six, Croatia three, with two draws. Croatia's most significant victory came in the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Moscow, a 2-1 win after extra time, while England beat Croatia in the 2018-19 Nations League and at EURO 2020.
Where can I watch England vs Croatia in Westminster? In SW1 you can watch at venues including The Sports Bar & Grill and The Albert near Victoria, The Cask Pub and Kitchen and The Morpeth Arms in Pimlico, and The Speaker near Westminster. A 9pm midweek kick-off makes it an ideal after-work fixture — arrive by 8pm and book ahead at dedicated sports bars.
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