Panama
CroatiaPanama: 22. Mosquera Or. - 2. Blackman (Davis E., 90), 3. Córdoba J., 13. Ramos (Waterman, 77), 16. Andrade A., 23. Murillo А. - 6. Martínez Cr., 14. Harvey - 11. Bárcenas (Rodríguez T., 90), 7. Puma - 17. Fajardo (Londoño, 83)
Substitution: Waterman (from 77); Londoño (from 83); Davis E. (from 90); Rodríguez T. (from 90)
Bench: 1. Mejía, 12. Samudio - 5. Fariña, 26. Gutiérrez, 4. Escobar F., 25. Miller R. - 8. Carrasquilla, 10. Díaz I., 19. Quintero A., 20. Godoy - 21. Yanis
Yellow Cards: Bárcenas 61
Croatia: 1. Livaković - 4. Gvardiol (Kramaric, 46), 6. Sutalo J., 2. Stanisic, 3. Pongracic - 24. Pašalić Marco (Sucic L., 72), 8. Kovacic M. (Sucic P., 72), 10. Modric (Pasalic Mario, 81), 14. Perišić I., 16. Baturina M. - 26. Musa P. (Budimir, 46)
Substitution: Budimir (from 46); Kramaric (from 46); Sucic P. (from 72); Sucic L. (from 72); Pasalic Mario (from 81)
Bench: 12. Pandur, 23. Kotarski - 5. Caleta-Car, 22. Vuskovic L., 25. Erlic - 7. Moro N., 13. Vlašić, 18. Jakic - 19. Fruk - 20. Matanovic
Yellow Cards: Sucic P. 92
The final whistle confirmed a narrow but hugely significant 1-0 victory for Croatia
While the African side enjoyed more possession and spent longer on the front foot, clear-cut chances were at a premium throughout a fiercely contested battle
The opening Group Stage fixture of World Cup 2026 between England and Croatia more than lived up to its billing as the marquee match of the round
As of now, 34 of the 48 participating nations have confirmed their qualification
Six fixtures across three European groups headline today’s World Cup 2026 qualifying schedule