Thomas Tuchel’s England arrived in Dallas with a spotless qualification record — eight wins, zero goals conceded — and a question no one expected to ask four days before kickoff: Did those warm-up losses actually matter?
Friendly defeats to Uruguay and Japan in March stirred unease among supporters who had grown accustomed to dominance. The 2-1 loss to Japan, in particular, stung, because it snapped a run of clean sheets that stretched back months. For a squad built around defensive discipline, conceding twice in a single match felt like a crack in the armor.
Tuchel, however, has kept his cards close. The German tactician called up Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah after Tino Livramento withdrew with a calf injury sustained in training. That move alone suggests the manager values coverage over continuity. Chalobah brings Premier League experience and versatility — he can slide into a back three or step into midfield — but he has not played a competitive minute since May.
The bigger tactical conversation, according to reports from the England camp, centers on who operates behind Harry Kane. Jude Bellingham is expected to start in the No. 10 role, ahead of Morgan Rogers, giving England a direct link between midfield and attack. On the right wing, Noni Madueke could get the nod if Bukayo Saka fails a late fitness test. Anthony Gordon appears to have edged Marcus Rashford on the left.
Then there is the left-back situation. Manchester City youngster Nico O’Reilly is reportedly in line for a surprise start. The 20-year-old has minimal senior experience but offers energy and ball progression — exactly what Tuchel wants against Croatia’s patient buildup.
Croatia’s Old Guard Meets the Next Wave
Zlatko Dalic’s side has made deep runs at the last two World Cups — semifinals both times — and that pedigree remains the team’s greatest asset. Luka Modric recovered fully from a cheekbone fracture suffered in April; the 39-year-old looked sharp in training and is expected to start. Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol also shook off minor knocks from their domestic seasons, according to the Croatian federation.
Dalic has a fully fit squad for the first time in months. Duje Caleta-Car returned to full training after a back issue, adding depth to a defensive unit that will likely feature teen sensation Luka Vuskovic alongside Gvardiol and Josip Sutalo. Up front, FC Dallas striker Petar Musa could get the start over veteran Andrej Kramaric — a nod to the Dallas venue and Musa’s familiarity with the pitch.
Croatia dropped just two points during qualifying and topped their group with seven wins. But the memory of a disappointing group-stage exit at Euro 2024 lingers. Fans online noted that the team has won only one of its last five tournament openers, a stat that Dalic dismissed as noise in his pre-match press conference.
Group L Opener Carries Familiar Weight
England and Croatia have met in high-stakes tournament matches before — most famously the 2018 World Cup semifinal, when Croatia won 2-1 after extra time. That result still motivates the Croats; for England, it remains unfinished business. The Three Lions have lost only one of their last eight World Cup openers, but they know Croatia rarely fades early.
Kickoff is set for Wednesday evening at AT&T Stadium. In the U.S., coverage begins on Fox Sports. UK viewers can watch live on ITV1 and stream via ITVX.
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