England faces Croatia in UEFA Nations League League A Group 2 on Saturday 3 October 2026 at Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, with kick-off at 19:45 CEST / 18:45 BST.
The fixture is live across UK, US, Canada and Australia. Updates, lineups and minute-by-minute coverage are available now.
Match Snapshot
Date: Saturday 3 October 2026. Kick-off 18:45 BST / 19:45 CEST.
Venue: Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb. Competition: UEFA Nations League League A Group 2.
Current group standings after matchday 3:
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Croatia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Portugal | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Sweden | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
A win moves England closer to quarter-finals. Croatia needs points to avoid third place.
How to Watch Croatia vs England: TV Channels and Live Stream
UK broadcasters: ITV holds free-to-air rights for Nations League Group 2 fixtures. BBC Radio 5 Live provides audio commentary. TNT Sports streams select matches via discovery+.
US: Paramount+ carries UEFA Nations League live. Canada: Sportsnet and TVA Sports. Australia: Optus Sport.
Official UEFA Nations League live updates are on UEFA.com and UEFA app. Radio commentary is available on BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT.
Team News, Injuries and Predicted Lineups
England: Thomas Tuchel names a 23-man squad. Harry Kane is fit after minor knock. Jude Bellingham starts in central midfield. Bukayo Saka returns.
Croatia: Luka Modric is in squad for final Nations League appearance. Midfield trio includes Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Luka Sucic. Defensive concerns remain at left back.
Predicted XI England: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Guehi, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Foden, Palmer; Kane.
Predicted XI Croatia: Livakovic; Stanisic, Gvardiol, Sutalo, Barisic; Modric, Kovacic, Sucic; Kramaric, Budimir, Perisic.
Confirmed lineups will be published 60 minutes before kick-off.
Form Guide and Recent Results
England recent form: W D W in last three competitive matches. Goals for 6, against 3.
Croatia recent form: L W D in last three. Goals for 4, against 5. Momentum is mixed.
Croatia vs England Head to Head Stats and History
All-time meetings: 11 games. England wins 5, draws 3, Croatia wins 3.
Last five encounters: Euro 2020 semi-final England 1-0 Croatia. 2024 Nations League England 2-1 Croatia. 2023 friendly Croatia 2-3 England. 2021 World Cup qualifying Croatia 0-1 England. 2020 Nations League League A England 1-0 Croatia.
| Metric | England | Croatia |
|---|---|---|
| Goals per game last 5 meetings | 1.6 | 1.0 |
| Possession avg | 54% | 46% |
| Shots on target avg | 5.2 | 3.8 |
Key Players to Watch
Harry Kane leads England attack. He has 2 goals in 2 Nations League games.
Luka Modric controls Croatia tempo. Pass completion 91% in last match.
England wingers face Croatia full backs. Saka vs Stanisic is a key duel.
Tactical Preview and Prediction
Expected formations: England 4-2-3-1, Croatia 4-3-3.
England strengths are width and set pieces. Weakness is central transition.
Croatia strengths are midfield possession. Weakness is defensive depth.
Score prediction markets show England 2-1. Betting odds are tight.
Live Coverage Hub
Live score tracker and minute-by-minute commentary will run from 18:30 BST.
Goals, cards and substitutions are updated in real time. Post match analysis and player ratings follow final whistle.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: When and where is England vs Croatia played?
- A: Saturday 3 October 2026 at Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb. Kick-off is 18:45 BST / 19:45 CEST.
- Q: How can I watch England vs Croatia in the UK, US, Canada and Australia?
- A: UK: ITV free-to-air and BBC Radio 5 Live. US: Paramount+. Canada: Sportsnet and TVA Sports. Australia: Optus Sport. Live updates also on UEFA.com and UEFA app.
- Q: What are the current UEFA Nations League Group 2 standings?
- A: After Matchday 3: Portugal 6 pts, England 4 pts, Croatia 3 pts, Sweden 1 pt. A win would push England closer to the quarter-finals.
- Q: Any key team news for England vs Croatia?
- A: England: Harry Kane is fit, Jude Bellingham starts, Bukayo Saka returns under Thomas Tuchel. Croatia: Luka Modric is in squad for his final Nations League appearance with Kovacic and Sucic in midfield.
Extended Reading
Hots Insight delivers in-depth news analysis, expert commentary, and global perspectives. We go beyond the headlines to explore the forces shaping politics, economics, technology, and culture. Founded in 2026, we are an independent digital publication committed to clarity, context, and thoughtful journalism.
Additional coverage: BBC Sport live page for England vs Croatia, The Guardian guide to Nations League broadcast options on 3 October 2026, Al Jazeera preview of Kane, Modric, teams and form.