Scotland news conference with Ryan Christie
World Cup 2026: England begin their tournament at 21:00 BST against Croatia - listen to full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live
Who should start for England v Croatia? Have your say by using the Get Involved button below
How different will England play under Thomas Tuchel at the World Cup?
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are in action before then, taking on DR Congo at 18:00 BST - predict the scores of the upcoming games here
False nines? 4-4-2? The tactical trends defining World Cup so far
England v Croatia (Wed, 21:00 BST)
Right, the England manager and captain held a news conference in the early hours.
Let's gauge their mood heading into today's opening game.
Remember, Thomas Tuchel was facing the media for the first time after yesterday's withdrawal from the England squad of full-back Tino Livramento, because of a calf injury.
Tuchel's decision to replace him with Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah was not universally well received...
Click 'Get Involved' to have your say
I will be watching the first match with my dad in Lancing, West Sussex, as I have tried to do so since I was 12 in 1982. Hopefully a good omen, although I have tried to wean myself off of superstitions now, as they never work.
Rob, West Sussex
It’s my wife's birthday today (happy birthday, darling)…and she doesn’t have much time for football. So I’ve done the sensible thing and booked a pub that’s showing the England opener. Wish me luck. Here’s hoping England are the only ones ‘kicking off’ tonight!
Tom, Tooting
Never mind all the children staying up. I usually go to bed shortly after 9pm, to get up at 6am. I like sleep. Watching a game that's likely to go on until at least 11 is going to be a big ask.
Zach, Cornwall
Feel our pain Zach. We have to clock in for work by 6am to get this live page rolling by 7am. World Cup 2026 = no sleep for England and Scotland fans. And long may that continue!
England
The final part of our look back at England's World Cup openers:
1986 - England 0-1 Portugal - Things looked lost for England in Mexico after an opening defeat was followed by a draw with Morocco. But Gary Lineker's six goals would power Bobby Robson's England to the quarter-finals, before they were stopped in their tracks by Maradona at the Azteca Stadium.
1982 - England 3-1 France - Bryan Robson set England on their way with a goal after just 27 seconds in their opening game. They were unable to maintain that form though and failed to make it past the second-round group stage.
1970 - England 1-0 Romania - Sir Geoff Hurst picked up where he left off, scoring the only goal in England's opening win. They finished below eventual champions Brazil in the group and made it through to the quarter-finals, where they blew a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 against West Germany.
1966 - England 0-0 Uruguay - Sir Alf Ramsey's side started slowly, but boy did they finish well: "Some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over...it is now!"
Image source, Getty ImagesClick 'Get Involved' to have your say
My 5-year-old is desperate to stay up to watch England with me; he's been telling all his pals he's going to...surely it's worth him being tired for school tomorrow!?
Calum, Teddington
That all depends on the result Calum, and how your 5-year-old reacts. My son was five in the last World Cup and did his best to wind me up by supporting Senegal and France in the knockout matches!
England
How far back do you want to go? Let's track their progress in World Cup openers back to 1966, shall we?
Here's the first part of that countdown:
2006 - England 1-0 Paraguay - Sven Goran Eriksson's side needed a third-minute own goal to spare their blushes. They stumbled their way to the quarter-finals before losing on penalties to Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.
2002 - England 1-1 Sweden - Sol Campbell scored to ensure a point for the Three Lions against Eriksen's home nation. Eventual winners Brazil would end the Three Lions' hopes in the last eight.
1998 - England 2-0 Tunisia - Goals from Alan Shearer and Paul Scholes set England on their way in France. But Argentina - on penalties - ended their progress in the first knockout round.
1990 - England 1-1 Republic of Ireland - A dour opening game, which featured a scrappy goal from Gary Lineker, did not bode well. But a Paul Gascoigne-inspired side, under the leadership of Bobby Robson, would reach the semi-finals, where they were knocked out by West Germany on penalties
Image source, Getty ImagesClick 'Get Involved' to have your say
I’ll be watching the game on a cruise going to Portugal tonight. Come on you Three Lions!!!!!
Olly, Portugal
Tonight, I'll be at the Bournemouth International Centre watching the magnificent Sparks. No spoilers please, but if sparks start flying in the US, I'll watch on catch-up!
Kev, Bournemouth
England v Croatia (Wed, 21:00 BST)
Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter
That's interesting you should mention that Andrew as I have a nine-year-old son too.
Don't judge me, but his normal bedtime is 9pm, yet my son has pleaded to stay up and watch England.
It's a school night, what's a dad to do?
Our James loves his football but rarely sits down long enough to watch a whole game.
The exception to that rule is when the clock ticks past 9pm, then all of a sudden he has never been so engrossed in a match.
Anyone else get hoodwinked by that trick?
Click 'Get Involved' to have your say
I’ll be watching the game tonight with my 9 year old son. This is his first proper World Cup where he properly understands what is happening and this feels like a hugely exciting father-son bonding experience. Or a chance for him to experience the England rollercoaster!
Andrew, Preston
England's Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane were seen inspecting the Dallas Stadium in Arlington ahead of tonight's opener against Croatia.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly theme seems quite apt as the England team prepare for an opening day shootout with Croatia at the home of the Dallas Cowboys...
Image source, Getty Images
England v Croatia (21:00 BST)
England
Image source, Getty ImagesA bright start, a grim finish, and that Rob Green howler he probably still has nightmares about - it's England’s 2010 opener against the US.
South Africa 2010 was full of vuvuzela‑drenched nostalgia, the introduction to Fabio Capello and a squad still stacked with the so‑called “Golden Generation”.
Steven Gerrard gave Capello the perfect start to this South African mission when he slid Emile Heskey's pass beyond US goalkeeper Tim Howard after only four minutes.
While England rarely hit the heights during the match, they were maintaining their advantage in relative comfort until five minutes before half-time - step forward Rob Green.
The West Ham United goalkeeper suffered the lapse that haunts all England fans to this day.
Clint Dempsey offered an effort that was little more than pot luck from 25 yards, but Green hopelessly allowed the ball to squeeze through him and roll agonisingly over the line as he tried to recover.
Any optimism for a successful tournament was wiped away in an instant for the Three Lions.
The game ended 1-1 and led to the New York Post printing a front page saying "USA WINS 1-1".
After a 0–0 draw with Algeria and a 1–0 win over Slovenia, England finished second in Group C and landed a round of 16 tie with Germany.
Well…we all know how that one ended.
Click 'Get Involved' to have your say
I’m British. I want England and Scotland to do well, but I think this English team is weak and could be a lot stronger. I don’t fancy their chances with what I've seen from other teams. Best chance is to stop putting pressure on them. Good luck tonight.
Alec, Wales
England v Croatia (21:00 BST)
England
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter going out to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2012 quarter‑final, an opening match against the Azzurri at the Brazil 2014 World Cup felt like the perfect chance for revenge.
But it proved one to forget.
Mario Balotelli's header just after the break settled an entertaining game after Daniel Sturridge had equalised Claudio Marchisio's fine strike.
The game also featured the strange “ghost goal", when most of the nation thought Raheem Sterling’s long‑range effort had gone in - only for it to hit the side netting.
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland were undone by defensive vulnerability in a display that probably deserved a draw.
It wasn't a great day at the office for Egland physiotherapist Gary Lewin, who was taken off on a stretcher after being injured celebrating Sturridge's goal.
The match ended 2–1 to Italy, and with Uruguay waiting next, the pressure was already suffocating for Roy Hodgson.
After a 2-1 defeat to Uruguay and a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica, England finished bottom of Group D and had their earliest World Cup exit since 1958.
Click 'Get Involved' to have your say
Watching Zach Bryan at Spurs' Stadium and streaming the game during the songs we don't know...
Ben, London
Googling Zach Bryan...well there is an American link at least!
Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport
Image source, Getty ImagesSir Gareth Southgate often divided opinion for team selections and tactics throughout his near eight-year tenure as England head coach but his record in the group stages of major tournaments was excellent - and potentially a tough act for Thomas Tuchel to follow.
Southgate lost just one of his 12 group games at the World Cup and European Championship, winning seven and drawing four, progressing to the knockout stage on all four occasions.
The solitary group-stage defeat was against Belgium in 2018, when England had already qualified for the last 16 by winning their opening two matches.
Southgate is one of only two England men's managers, along with Glenn Hoddle, to have a 100% record in the opening game of a group stage, although whereas Hoddle won one, Southgate won all four.
In comparison, six of 12 England bosses failed to win a group game.
Southgate's opening victories included a 1-0 win against Croatia at Euro 2020 - a result you suspect Tuchel would be very happy with later tonight.
England v Croatia (21:00 BST)
The Three Lions are set to play in white against Croatia this evening.
It is more common to see England in the home strip but famously won in 1966 in red... What do the stats say?
Do England play better in red or white?
Seeing red is not always a bad thing for England at World Cups - unless you happen to be David Beckham or Wayne Rooney.
Think 1966...and also Harry Kane in England's opener in Russia, for that matter...
England v Croatia (21:00 BST)
England
Young England followers will believe that the Three Lions always get off to a positive start at the World Cup.
Recent evidence would suggest that is the case, but we can assure you that this is a relatively modern phenomena.
Gareth Southgate's two World Cups as England manager - 2018 and 2022 - were the exception, rather than the rule.
His first, against Tunisia in Russia, was in the balance until Harry Kane popped up with his second goal of the game in second-half stoppage time to secure a 2-1 victory.
Kane would go on to win the Golden Boot in 2018 with six goals, but was unable to inspire England to victory as they bowed out to Croatia 2-1 in the semi-finals, after extra time.
Fast forward four years and Southgate's England side stamped their authority on the 2022 tournament in Qatar with a thumping 6-2 win over Iran.
Three of the five scorers that day - Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford - are back for more in 2026 and will be hoping to improve on their quarter-final exit, when Kane blazed a late penalty over the bar in a 2-1 defeat to eventual finalists France.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesClick 'Get Involved' to have your say
Is it just me or has the last seven days felt like the longest week of your life?
Today/tomorrow morning marks the end of the first round of group matches at the 2026 World Cup and the arrival of Thomas Tuchel's England on this grand stage.
England fans - we want to know your plans for tonight's game, the wilder the better.
We especially want to hear from anyone who has made it out to the United States.
Get in touch using the 'Get Involved' button.
Ta
England v Croatia (Wed, 21:00 BST)
England
Image source, Getty ImagesRight, let's turn our attention to England, who finally get their 2026 World Cup campaign under way tonight against Croatia at the impressive Dallas Stadium in Arlington.
It's a tough challenge, against a side that finished runners-up in 2018 and reached the semi-finals last time out in Qatar.
Croatia famously beat England in the last four in Russia and will be hoping to test them once again.
But a positive result for the Three Lions should set them on their way, with games against Ghana and Panama to come.
What we do know from previous World Cups is that it is how you finish, not how you start, that determines how your campaign will be remembered, but a win and three points always helps.
Stick with us as we start a slow build-up to 9pm by taking a trip down Memory Lane to revisit England's opening games from past World Cups...
Global superstars Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland brought a touch of pizzazz to the World Cup last night and there's been plenty of opinion this morning on which of them will have the greatest say at this tournament.
Buenos Aires went mad as Messi surpassed Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup goals record.
He drew the admiration of Haaland, who is himself well on the way to challenging for the Golden Boot.
We asked you who you think will win the prize for top scorer. So far you've said:
Lionel Messi 21%
Kylian Mbappe 44%
Erling Haaland 9%
Kai Havertz 3%
Harry Kane 16%
Cristiano Ronaldo 2%
Have your say below:
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
