Croatia and England enter Matchday 3 level on three points in Nations League Group A3. Croatia are trying to recover from a heavy defeat in Spain, while England arrive in Rijeka after a 2-0 victory over Czechia.
On October 3 at 21:30 IST, “Croatia” will face “England” at “Stadion HNK Rijeka”. The fixture is played at 18:00 local Croatian time.
Both teams have one victory and one defeat after two Nations League rounds. Croatia won 2-1 away against “Czechia” before losing 4-1 to “Spain”. England started with a 3-2 home defeat against “Spain” and then defeated “Czechia” 2-0 in Prague.
The matchup also comes only a few months after the teams met at the FIFA World Cup. England won that game 4-2, continuing their strong recent competitive record against Croatia.
Teams Current Form
“Croatia” form
Croatia have produced mixed results since the World Cup. They reached the knockout stage in North America after victories against “Panama” and “Ghana”, but were eliminated 2-1 by “Portugal” in the Round of 32.
Slaven Bilić’s return began with a positive 2-1 Nations League victory against “Czechia”. The following match against Spain was much more difficult. Croatia briefly equalised through Dion Beljo but eventually lost 4-1 as the world champions repeatedly found space around the Croatian defensive block.
The attacking record remains respectable. Croatia have scored in each of their last five official matches, including against Portugal, Spain and England.
The concern is defensive stability against elite opponents. Croatia conceded four against Spain and four against England at the World Cup, which makes the defensive phase particularly important before another meeting with the English attack.
“England” form
England have three victories and two defeats across their last five official matches.
Thomas Tuchel’s team finished third at the World Cup after an extraordinary 6-4 victory against “France”, but their Nations League campaign started with a 3-2 defeat against “Spain” at Wembley.
England responded by defeating “Czechia” 2-0. Anthony Gordon opened the scoring and Harry Kane added the second after the hosts had been reduced to ten men.
The team remains dangerous in transition and from wide areas. Trent Alexander-Arnold provides progression from right-back, while Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon can attack directly around Kane.
England are missing several established midfield and attacking options during this international window, but the starting group used in Prague still contains enough quality to threaten Croatia.
Probable Lineups
“Croatia” lineup
4-2-3-1: Dominik Livaković, Ivan Smolčić, Josip Šutalo, Marin Pongračić, Joško Gvardiol, Josip Mišić, Mateo Kovačić, Marco Pašalić, Petar Sučić, Ivan Perišić, Dion Drena Beljo.
This potential lineup is based directly on Croatia’s starting XI in their latest official match, the 4-1 Nations League defeat against “Spain” on September 29.
No player from that starting eleven has been confirmed unavailable for the England match at the time of this forecast, so the same eleven remain the base lineup.
“England” lineup
4-2-3-1: James Trafford, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guéhi, Lewis Hall, Elliot Anderson, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane.
This potential lineup is based directly on England’s starting XI in their latest official match, the 2-0 Nations League victory against “Czechia” on September 29.
No player from that starting eleven has been confirmed unavailable for the Croatia match, so there is no factual reason to force a change to the base XI.
Who will not play
For “Croatia”, Josip Juranović and Martin Erlić are unavailable through injury.
Josip Stanišić missed the match against Spain because of illness. His status should be reassessed before the England game rather than treated as a confirmed absence.
For “England”, Tino Livramento, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice withdrew from the squad during the current international window and are unavailable.
Nico O’Reilly missed the latest match and remains a fitness concern.
None of these players started England’s latest official match against Czechia, so their absence does not require a change to the potential XI above.
The most accurate information on the final starting lineups will be available immediately before the meeting.
Statistics for the Last 5 Matches
“Croatia”
29.09.26, UEFA Nations League: Spain 4-1 Croatia
26.09.26, UEFA Nations League: Czechia 1-2 Croatia
02.07.26, FIFA World Cup, Round of 32: Portugal 2-1 Croatia
27.06.26, FIFA World Cup: Croatia 2-1 Ghana
23.06.26, FIFA World Cup: Panama 0-1 Croatia
In the last five official matches, “Croatia” have 3 wins and 2 defeats. The team scored 7 goals and conceded 8.
“England”
29.09.26, UEFA Nations League: Czechia 0-2 England
26.09.26, UEFA Nations League: England 2-3 Spain
18.07.26, FIFA World Cup, Third-place match: France 4-6 England
15.07.26, FIFA World Cup, Semi-final: England 1-2 Argentina
11.07.26, FIFA World Cup, Quarter-final: Norway 1-2 England after extra time
In the last five official matches, “England” have 3 wins and 2 defeats. The team scored 13 goals and conceded 10.
Head-to-Head Statistics
17.06.26, FIFA World Cup: England 4-2 Croatia
13.06.21, UEFA EURO: England 1-0 Croatia
18.11.18, UEFA Nations League: England 2-1 Croatia
12.10.18, UEFA Nations League: Croatia 0-0 England
11.07.18, FIFA World Cup, Semi-final: Croatia 2-1 England after extra time
In the last five official head-to-head matches, “England” have 3 wins, “Croatia” have 1 win and 1 match ended in a draw. England scored 8 goals and Croatia scored 5.
Main prediction for the “Croatia” - “England” game
Croatia – England: forecast on event 3 October 2026
England X2
England have lost only once in the last five official meetings with Croatia and defeated them 4-2 at the World Cup in June.
Croatia remain dangerous with the ball and have scored in five consecutive official matches, but the defensive numbers against the strongest opponents are a concern. Spain scored four against them only four days before this fixture.
England are also missing important players, so an away victory is not a low-risk selection. The double-chance market covers a draw while still reflecting England’s stronger recent head-to-head record.
For
Additional predictions
Croatia – England: forecast on event 3 October 2026
Both teams to score
Croatia have scored in each of their last five official matches, including games against Spain, Portugal and England.
England have also found the net in all five of their latest official matches and scored at least twice in four of them.
The World Cup meeting between these teams ended 4-2, and three of their last five official head-to-head games produced goals for both sides. Croatia’s need for a response at home should also make a completely defensive approach unlikely.
