Sixty years of hurt, 70,000 roaring fans, and a 4–2 scoreline — England begin their World Cup campaign with exactly the kind of statement performance their history demands.
England opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 4–2 victory over Croatia at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Thursday, as captain Harry Kane scored twice in the first half to set his side on their way. Second-half strikes from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford sealed a statement Group L result in front of 70,000 fans, restoring optimism for a nation hungry to end a 60-year wait for world football’s ultimate prize.
Croatia, who famously knocked England out in the 2018 semi-final, showed they hadn’t travelled to North America to make up the numbers. Martin Baturina and Petar Musa brought them level on both occasions in the first period, and the match turned on a moment of controversy — Luka Modrić caught Noni Madueke in the box, and when Kane’s original spot-kick was saved by Dominik Livaković, French referee Clément Turpin ordered a retake after video replays showed the keeper had left his line early. Kane drilled the second attempt into the net, and England never looked back.
“For sure it’s one of the best opportunities we will have as a team to win it. I think everyone is eager to just start well and prove that we have the capabilities of going far in this tournament. Ultimately, for me, the message is just to be free in the mind.” — Harry Kane, England captain, pre-match press conference (17 June 2026)
The win sets England atop Group L as they now turn their attention to Ghana, who join them in today’s later fixtures. Historically, England’s World Cups have been punctuated by near-misses — a runner-up finish in 1966 remains the nation’s only triumph — but the combination of Kane’s clinical edge, Bellingham’s dynamism, and Rashford’s pace suggests this squad has the tools to go deep into the knockout rounds.
England have not lifted the World Cup since their home tournament in 1966. Every generation since has carried that weight. This squad — led by a striker still in his prime and a midfield that can genuinely hurt any opponent — may be the one to finally change that.
Elsewhere on Thursday, Portugal were held to a 1–1 draw by a resilient DR Congo side in Group K, with Cristiano Ronaldo — making a record-equalling sixth World Cup appearance — unable to unlock a defence inspired by their country’s extraordinary journey to the tournament. João Neves had given Portugal the lead before Yoane Wissa’s first-half equaliser secured the DRC their first-ever World Cup point, an achievement made even more remarkable given the Ebola outbreak currently affecting their nation.
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