FIFA World Cup 2026

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Summary

The latest news and action from the celebrated football tournament from the ITV team.

Episode 12: England v Croatia 17.06

Summary

England v Croatia (Kick-off 9.00pm). Mark Pougatch presents coverage of the Group L match at Dallas Stadium in the USA, as Thomas Tuchel's side get their campaign under way. These two teams last met at the European Championships held in 2021, with England winning a group stage encounter 1-0 at Wembley Stadium thanks to a second-half finish from Raheem Sterling. They also met in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when Croatia came from behind to win 2-1 in extra-time and reach their first major final. Kieran Trippier scored a fifth-minute free-kick in that meeting to give England the lead but The Checkered Ones replied in the 68th minute thanks to Ivan Perisic's goal to take it to another 30 minutes. Mario Mandzukic then scored with 11 minutes of extra time to play, ending the Three Lions' quest to reach their first World Cup final since 1966. With analysis from Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Ian Wright, and commentary by Sam Matterface and Lee Dixon

Review

Ned Holmes

They’ve had to bide their time, but England finally join the World Cup party this evening as Thomas Tuchel’s men kick off Group L against Croatia at Dallas Stadium. England and Tuchel have made it no secret that they are heading to Canada, Mexico and the US this summer with their sights set firmly on ending 60 years of hurt.

With games against Ghana and Panama to come, three points against Croatia would be a major step toward topping Group L, while also going some way to lowering the national blood pressure and helping to banish those lingering demons of 2018’s semi-final defeat.

Some of the names that have haunted English dreams after that night in Moscow, including Luka Modrić and Ivan Perišić, are remarkably still part of a Croatia squad that will have their own lofty North America aspirations.

As England take to the pitch, there’ll be a heady mix of nerves and excitement. We could be in for a bumpy ride.

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rolenamePresenterMark PougatchExpertRoy KeaneExpertGary NevilleExpertIan WrightCommentatorSam MatterfaceCommentatorLee DixonDirectorPaul McNamaraEditorStuart Smith