← Back to News
Dalic admits Croatia’s World Cup opener against England ‘can destroy everything’
Teams
T
The Guardian·about 2 months ago

Dalic admits Croatia’s World Cup opener against England ‘can destroy everything’

  • Croatia head coach says England game crucial to hopes

  • Kovacic, Gvardiol and Modric lacking match sharpness

Zlatko Dalic sees Croatia’s World Cup opener against England as pivotal to their summer fortunes, admitting a softer first match may have been preferable for a team struggling with form and fitness issues.

Croatia beat Slovenia 2-1 in their final friendly before flying to the US but Dalic is likely to face several selection issues when they face England on 17 June.

The Manchester City pair of Mateo Kovacic and Josip Gvardiol are both coming back from injury and it adds to the sense that Dalic’s side, who finished third in 2022 and runners-up four years earlier, risk starting their tournament on the back foot.

Continue reading...

Sources: The Guardian

Teams & Groups in this article

CAN flagCanadaENG flagEnglandCRO flagCroatia

Get WC 2026 Updates

Match previews, results, and standings — delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

Gordon makes his point as England breeze past Costa Rica in final World Cup warm-up
Venue

Gordon makes his point as England breeze past Costa Rica in final World Cup warm-up

It was the day when Thomas Tuchel showed his hand for England’s World Cup opener against Croatia in Dallas next Wednesday and his players hinted at what can happen when they play with intensity and slick connections. The paucity of the opposition had

A
Aggregated from The Guardian, Sky Sports·about 1 month ago
The Welsh doctor who sang Back Home on Top of the Pops with the England team
Teams

The Welsh doctor who sang Back Home on Top of the Pops with the England team

Share Save Add as preferred on Google James McClair West Midlands BBC Annie Onions said her dad, Dr Neil Phillips, was "so proud" to be England team doctor Kicking off their World Cup campaign against Croatia, England are hoping to become world champ

B
BBC Sport·about 1 month ago
How England can still qualify for the Women's World Cup
Teams

How England can still qualify for the Women's World Cup

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Dutchwoman Sarina Wiegman took over the England manager's job in 2021

B
BBC Sport·about 2 months ago
Tuchel reveals Team GB have been helping England get ready for World Cup heat
Teams

Tuchel reveals Team GB have been helping England get ready for World Cup heat

Heat and humidity will be obstacles to overcome but England have full belief in their ability and can go far at the World Cup, Thomas Tuchel has said. The head coach has received help from Team GB, drawing on their Olympic experiences, and other spec

T
The Guardian·about 2 months ago
Carrasquilla bolsters experienced Panama squad
Teams

Carrasquilla bolsters experienced Panama squad

have announced their 26-man squad for the . Coach Thomas Christiansen's side will take on Croatia, England and Ghana in Group L, with a team boasting many of the same faces that appeared in Panama's first global finals at Russia 2018.

F
FIFA Official·about 2 months ago
Tuchel has picked a good England squad and doesn’t care about the wider shout-verse | Barney Ronay
Teams

Tuchel has picked a good England squad and doesn’t care about the wider shout-verse | Barney Ronay

Message timed out. Too many requests. Too. Many. Requests. Too many. I’m sorry, Dave, I can’t let you do that. Don’t open the doors. I’m afraid, Dave. Harry Maguire’s mum appears to be extremely upset.

T
The Guardian·2 months ago