DALLAS, TEXAS – JUNE 16: Luka Modric #10 of Croatia participates in the training and of Croatia one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Luka Modric, Martin Baturina, Nikola Vlasic, Petar Sucic and Marin Pongracic represent Serie A in the Croatia starting XI against Ghana, while England reshuffle to take on Panama.
They both kick off at 22.00 UK time (23.00 CEST) and these fixtures will complete World Cup Group L.
England had been expected to sweep the group comfortably after beating Croatia 4-2 in the opener, but their 0-0 draw with Ghana has made it a more balanced affair.
Now Croatia hope to break down Ghana and secure their place in the Round of 32.
There is plenty of Serie A representation, such as Milan midfielder Modric, Como talent Baturina, Inter’s Petar Sucic, Nikola Vlasic of Torino, and Fiorentina defender Marin Pongracic.
On the bench we see Atalanta player Mario Pasalic.
Kamaldeen Sulemana plays for Atalanta in the Ghana team, but was benched for the stalemate with England.
A draw here would allow both teams to sail through to the Round of 32.
In the other match, Thomas Tuchel is forced into some of his changes, because Reece James is ruled out by injury and is now a risk for the Round of 32 as well.
The other adjustments against Panama are part of squad rotation, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Elliott Anderson coming back in.
Croatia vs. Ghana line-ups
Croatia: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Perisic; Kovacic, Modric; Vlasic, Sucic, Baturina; Budimir
Ghana: Asare; Senaya, Adjetey, Luckassen, Mensah; Partey, Owusu, Sibo; Sulemana, Ayew, Semenyo
1
2
6
3
17
10
16
8
13
11
14
16
23
14
4
26
15
22
8
5
11
9
15
12
25
7
23
18
5
9
4
21
26
24
20
19
22
17
1
6
7
19
2
12
13
24
25
18
10
3
21
20
Panama vs. England line-ups
Panama: Mosquera; Cordoba, Escobar, Harvey, Andrade, Murillo, Gutierrez; Martinez, J Rodriguez, Barcenas; T Rodriguez
England: Pickford; Konsa, Guehi, Quansah, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rogers; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane
22
4
26
3
23
16
14
6
7
9
11
1
2
26
6
3
8
10
7
9
11
17
2
20
1
15
17
21
10
24
5
18
25
8
12
13
19
14
5
4
20
13
23
19
12
25
22
16
21
15
18
