England and Croatia begin their 2026 World Cup campaigns Wednesday as Harry Kane and England start their pursuit of a World Cup title as one of the favorites in this year’s tournament.
England enters group play with the third-best odds to win the World Cup, thanks largely to its superstar talent and consistent success on the international stage. A team with expectations this high often boasts one of the most valuable rosters in the world, and England is no exception. The Three Lions enter the tournament with the second-highest payroll at more than $7.35 million per week and the highest market value of any nation in the field at more than $1.8 billion.
While Croatia did not crack the top 15 in payroll, it still ranks as the 15th-most valuable national team in the world with a market value exceeding $255 million. Croatia enters the tournament as a respectable long shot to win it all and enjoyed success in UEFA World Cup qualifying, posting a 7-1-0 record since June 2025. However, Croatia has been somewhat inconsistent lately, going 2-0-2 in its most recent international friendlies, including back-to-back losses to Brazil and Belgium.
England, meanwhile, won its final two World Cup tune-up matches while outscoring opponents 4-0. The Three Lions were also dominant in recent UEFA World Cup qualifying, compiling a perfect 8-0-0 record dating back to March 2025.
England vs. Croatia Current Odds
Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook lists England as the favorite for Wednesday’s Group L matchup.
- England: -140
- Croatia: +425
- Draw/Tie: +260
England vs. Croatia Picks & Predictions for June 17
England and Croatia both feature elite talent, making Wednesday’s match one of the more intriguing group-stage contests on the schedule. Check out Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook’s Stats Hub for soccer betting insights, trends, trackers, and standings throughout the 2026 World Cup.
Looking for inspiration? The Stats Hub also features picks like the one below:
England vs. Croatia Best Bet: Harry Kane Anytime Goalscorer
We’ve already seen some of the world’s biggest stars make their mark on the 2026 World Cup. Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland were all in action Tuesday, with Messi recording the first World Cup hat trick of his career while tying Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the tournament’s all-time goals record. Mbappé and Haaland each added two goals in their respective victories.
Now it’s Kane’s turn. The England captain is set to play in his third World Cup and will look to finally help England capture the sport’s biggest prize after a fourth-place finish in 2018 and a quarterfinal appearance in 2022.
Kane is no stranger to finding the back of the net. He won the 2018 World Cup Golden Boot with six goals and currently owns the fourth-shortest odds (+800) to win the award in 2026, trailing only Haaland, Messi, and the favorite, Mbappé.
- England vs. Croatia Player Prop Pick for June 17: Harry Kane Anytime Goalscorer (-105)
Popular Props for England vs. Croatia
Kane is unsurprisingly dominating the player prop markets and owns the six most-bet props heading into kickoff. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Croatia captain Luka Modrić is the only Croatian player to crack the top 10:
- Harry Kane – Anytime Goalscorer
- Harry Kane – To Score 2+ Goals
- Luka Modrić – Shots On Target Over 0.5
England & Croatia Group L Winner Odds
England and Croatia own the two shortest odds to win Group L:
- England to win Group L: -275
- Croatia to win Group L: +325
England & Croatia World Cup Winner Odds
England enters the tournament with the third-best odds to win the 2026 World Cup, trailing only Spain and tournament favorite France. Croatia remains a respectable long shot, with the 12th-best odds to lift the trophy:
- England to win the World Cup: +650
- Croatia to win the World Cup: +6000
England vs. Croatia Match Info
- 📍 Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
- 📅 Date: Wednesday, June 17
- ⏰ Start Time: 4:00 PM ET
- 📺 Where to Watch: FOX, Telemundo, Peacock
- 🏆 Stage: World Cup Group Stage
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Referenced odds are subject to change.
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