England will face Croatia in their 2026 World Cup opener without Bukayo Saka. The Croatian squad, however, boasts a strong contingent of players from Italy’s Serie A, prominently featuring Luka Modric. Inter Milan’s Petar Sucic and several other Italian-based midfielders will represent Croatia.
Notably, there are no Serie A players in the current England squad, even with Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan not being selected, despite Tino Livramento’s recent withdrawal. Djed Spence, a former Genoa player, is listed as a substitute for England.
Croatia’s 26-man roster includes a significant Serie A presence: Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Luka Modric (AC Milan), Petar Sucic (Inter Milan), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), and Martin Baturina (Como) are all available for selection.
The entire Croatian midfield is expected to be composed of Serie A talents, with Modric, Mario Pasalic, Baturina, and Petar Sucic slated to start.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 BST.
England vs. Croatia: Confirmed Line-ups
England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Konsa, Stones, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
Substitutes: Henderson, Trafford, Guehi, Burn, Spence, Quansah, Henderson, Mainoo, Rogers, Eze, Saka, Rashford, Watkins, Toney.
Croatia (4-3-3): Livakovic; Stanisic, Vuskovic, Gvardiol, Sutalo; Modric, Mario Pasalic, P.Sucic; Perisic, Musa, Baturina.
Substitutes: Pandur, Kotarski, Pongracic, Caleta-Car, Jakic, Erlic, Moro, Kovacic, Vlasic, Fruk, L.Sucic, Kramaric, Budimir, Matanovic, Marco Pasalic.
2026 World Cup: England vs. Croatia Line-ups – Modric and Serie A Stars Featured
Thomas Tuchel will have to manage without Bukayo Saka as England commences their 2026 World Cup campaign against a Croatian side captained by AC Milan star Luka Modric. The Croatian team features Inter Milan’s Petar Sucic and an entire midfield unit comprised of players currently playing in Italy.
There are no Serie A representatives within the England squad. Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan has not been selected, despite the recent withdrawal of Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento. Former Genoa full-back Djed Spence is named among the England substitutes.
Croatia, on the other hand, has a substantial Serie A presence in their 26-man squad. Fiorentina’s Marin Pongracic, Bologna’s Nikola Moro, AC Milan’s Modric, Inter Milan’s Sucic, Torino’s Nikola Vlasic, Atalanta’s Mario Pasalic, and Como’s Martin Baturina are all available for selection.
The entire Croatian midfield is set to be made up of Serie A representatives, with Modric, Pasalic, Baturina, and Sucic all selected to start. The match is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 BST.
England vs. Croatia: Confirmed Line-ups
England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Konsa, Stones, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
Subs: Henderson, Trafford, Guehi, Burn, Spence, Quansah, Henderson, Mainoo, Rogers, Eze, Saka, Rashford, Watkins, Toney.
Croatia (4-3-3): Livakovic; Stanisic, Vuskovic, Gvardiol, Sutalo; Modric, Mario Pasalic, P.Sucic; Perisic, Musa, Baturina.
Subs: Pandur, Kotarski, Pongracic, Caleta-Car, Jakic, Erlic, Moro, Kovacic, Vlasic, Fruk, L.Sucic, Kramaric, Budimir, Matanovic, Marco Pasalic.
