- England has -146 odds to defeat Croatia in the first match of the 2026 World Cup for both teams.
- Both countries went undefeated in qualifiers, England going a perfect 8-0-0 without allowing a single goal.
ARLINGTON, Texas – A pair of European teams are set to face off at AT&T Stadium as England matches up with Croatia in both teams’ first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Wednesday evening at 4 PM EST.
England vs Croatia Match Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | -0.5, -1 (-112) | -146 | O 2, 2.5 (-122) |
| Croatia | +0.5, +1 (-108) | +425 | U 2, 2.5 (+102) |
England is a -146 favorite to win outright at legal sports betting sites, while the odds of a draw (+270) sit slightly ahead of a Croatia victory (+425). The English team currently sits with the fifth best odds to win the 2026 World Cup at +800, only behind France, Spain, Portugal, and Argentina.
After making it through qualifiers in late 2025, England has gone 2-1-1 in their four friendlies in 2026, most recently defeating Costa Rica 3-0. Similarly, Croatia made it through the qualifying rounds in November of 2025 and has played four friendlies in 2026, going 2-0-2 so far this year.
The two countries have faced off nine times in international play, with England holding a slight series lead with five victories, Croatia with three, and one draw. Their most recent meeting resulted in a 1-0 win for England in the 2021 UEFA EURO.
Total Goals Scored To Be Under 2.5 (+102)
Both teams went undefeated in qualifiers, England going a perfect 8-0-0 while Croatia put together an impressive 7-1-0 stretch. The English team did not allow a single goal throughout the qualifiers, their defensive prowess being the strength of their team.
Croatia has two multi-score games in their last four friendlies against Colombia and Slovenia, but scored just one goal against top contender Brazil and were shut out by Belgium. They certainly have some offensive ability, but may struggle against top competition such as England.
England has just one multi-score match so far in 2026 in their 3-0 win over Costa Rica, but scored just one goal against Uruguay and New Zealand as well as being shut out by Japan, making the under an attractive bet at World Cup betting sites.
Expect a grind-it-out, defensive battle between the two teams with England ultimately pulling out a victory in the end.
