England Set for 2026 World Cup Debut Against Croatia in Dallas
Published June 12, 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially begun, and England is preparing to kick off their campaign next week, with their first group stage match against Croatia.
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The highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup is now underway across North America, with co-hosts Mexico having already secured an opening victory. The tournament began on June 11, and Mexico marked the occasion with a 2-0 win over South Africa, thanks to goals from veteran striker Raul Jimenez and Roberto Alvarado. While some teams have already taken to the field, England, fresh off an unbeaten qualifying campaign, is gearing up for their first match, set to be one of the later teams to enter the competition.
The Three Lions are placed in Group L and will commence their World Cup journey on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, facing Croatia in Dallas. This highly anticipated clash is scheduled for a 9:00 PM BST kick-off. Following their opener, England will travel to Boston for their second group fixture against Ghana on Tuesday, June 23, with the same kick-off time. Their final group stage encounter will see them take on Panama on Saturday, June 27, in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, starting at 10:00 PM BST.
This expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to be the longest in history, running from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The group stage will conclude on June 27, followed by the knockout rounds, culminating in the grand final on July 19. Fans can look forward to an action-packed schedule as 48 nations battle it out across 16 venues for the coveted trophy.