England host Croatia at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 3 October 2026 for UEFA Nations League League A Group 3. Kick-off is 19:45 BST. The fixture is live on ITV in the UK and streams globally.
Match Snapshot
Date and kick-off: Saturday 3 October 2026, 19:45 BST.
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London. Competition: UEFA Nations League 2026-27 League A Group 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 |
| Finland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Portugal | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
England lead the group on goal difference. A win puts them through to the quarter-finals. Croatia need a point to stay top of the chasing pack.
How to Watch Croatia vs England Live
TV and streaming vary by region.
| Region | TV Channel | Live Stream |
|---|---|---|
| UK | ITV1 | ITV Hub |
| US | — | Paramount+ |
| Europe | varies by market | UEFA.tv, local broadcasters |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| Timezone | Local Kick-off |
|---|---|
| London BST | 19:45 Saturday 3 Oct |
| New York EDT | 14:45 Saturday 3 Oct |
| Los Angeles PDT | 11:45 Saturday 3 Oct |
| Sydney AEST | 04:45 Sunday 4 Oct |
BBC provides live text on BBC Sport website and live radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.
Team News, Form and Key Players
England enter with one win and one draw from two Nations League games. Thomas Tuchel names a settled 4-3-3.
Predicted England XI: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Guehi, Shaw; Rice, Mainoo, Foden; Saka, Kane, Palmer.
Croatia are unbeaten in their last three competitive matches. Zlatko Dalic retains a 4-3-3 built around Luka Modric.
Predicted Croatia XI: Livakovic; Juranovic, Gvardiol, Sutalo, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Pasalic; Kramaric, Budimir, Majer.
Harry Kane leads England in goals. Luka Modric captains Croatia. The midfield contrast is the tactical focus.
England vs Croatia Head to Head Stats and History
All-time meetings: 13 games played.
| Result | England | Croatia | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wins | 6 | 4 | 3 |
Recent meetings include the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Moscow, Croatia 2-1 England. The sides met in the 2020-21 Nations League, England won 1-0 at Wembley and drew 1-1 in Split.
Goalscorers in the rivalry: Kane has scored 3 times against Croatia. Modric has one assist in head-to-head history.
UEFA Nations League Stats and Group Implications
England average 58% possession and 14.5 shots per game in the Nations League so far. xG is 1.8 per match.
Croatia average 52% possession and 11.2 shots per game. xG is 1.4 per match.
Promotion to the Nations League quarter-finals is at stake. The top two teams advance. The bottom team is relegated to League B.
A draw keeps both sides in contention. A loss for Croatia opens the group for Portugal and Finland.
Key Battles and Prediction
Modric versus England’s double pivot controls tempo. Rice and Mainoo will press high.
England’s wide attack through Saka and Palmer tests Croatia’s full-backs Juranovic and Sosa.
Croatia’s defence has conceded in three of its last four away games.
Prediction: England 2-1 Croatia. Home advantage and recent form favour England.
Live Updates and Post Match Reaction
Follow live commentary on BBC Sport live text, ITV Hub and UEFA.tv.
Post-match stats, player ratings and highlights will be published on BBC Sport and The Guardian after full time.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: When is England vs Croatia kick-off?
- A: Saturday 3 October 2026 at 19:45 BST at Wembley Stadium, London.
- Q: Where can I watch England vs Croatia live?
- A: UK: ITV1 and ITV Hub. US: Paramount+. Australia: Optus Sport. Europe: UEFA.tv and local broadcasters. BBC offers live text and radio commentary.
- Q: What is at stake in the England vs Croatia Nations League match?
- A: England lead Group 3 on goal difference. A win puts England through to the quarter-finals. Croatia need a point to stay top of the chasing pack.
- Q: What are the predicted lineups for England vs Croatia?
- A: England predicted 4-3-3: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Guehi, Shaw; Rice, Mainoo, Foden; Saka, Kane, Palmer. Croatia predicted 4-3-3 built around Luka Modric with Livakovic in goal.
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.
Coverage context is drawn from BBC Sport live build-up, The Guardian how-to-watch guide for Nations League Croatia v England, and Al Jazeera team news and form analysis for Kane and Modric.