Croatia
GhanaCroatia: 1. Livaković - 2. Stanisic, 3. Pongracic, 6. Sutalo J. - 17. Sucic P. - 8. Kovacic M. (Pasalic Mario, 78), 10. Modric, 13. Vlašić (Gvardiol, 88), 14. Perišić I., 16. Baturina M. (Pašalić Marco, 88) - 11. Budimir (Matanovic, 66)
Substitution: Matanovic (from 66); Pasalic Mario (from 78); Gvardiol (from 88); Pašalić Marco (from 88)
Bench: 12. Pandur, 23. Kotarski - 5. Caleta-Car, 22. Vuskovic L., 25. Erlic - 7. Moro N., 18. Jakic, 21. Sucic L. - 19. Fruk - 9. Kramaric, 26. Musa P.
Yellow Cards: Perišić I. 68
Ghana: 16. Asare - 4. Adjetey (Oppong, 46), 14. Mensah G., 23. Luckassen D., 26. Senaya - 5. Partey T. - 8. Sibo (Yirenkyi, 85), 15. Owusu E. (Fatawu, 46) - 22. Sulemana К. (Nuamah, 72) - 9. Jordan Ayew (Thomas-Asante, 72), 11. Semenyo
Substitution: Oppong (from 46); Fatawu (from 46); Nuamah (from 72); Thomas-Asante (from 72); Yirenkyi (from 85)
Bench: 1. Ati-Zigi, 12. Anang - 2. Seidu A., 6. Mumin, 17. Rahman Baba, 18. Opoku J. - 13. Bonsu Baah - 20. Boakye - 19. Inaki Williams, 25. Kwabena Prince
Yellow Cards: Oppong 94
Goals from Nikola Vlasic and Luka Sucic proved decisive
The final whistle confirmed a narrow but hugely significant 1-0 victory for Croatia
England missed the opportunity to secure an early place in the knockout stages
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
Germany continued their preparations for the upcoming World Cup
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
