Thomas Tuchel has delivered the first major shock of England’s World Cup campaign before a ball has been kicked, omitting both Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford from his starting lineup for the Group L opener against Croatia at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The German coach, taking charge of his first tournament match since succeeding Gareth Southgate, has instead entrusted the wide roles to Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke in a 4-2-3-1 system, with Harry Kane leading the line and Jude Bellingham operating in support. Viewed from London, the decision represents a bold break from the established hierarchy, sidelining two of the squad’s most recognisable attacking talents in favour of players with relatively little international experience. Italian and Indonesian media reports suggest that even Phil Foden and Cole Palmer were omitted from the final squad entirely, underscoring Tuchel’s willingness to reshape the team around form and tactical fit rather than reputation.

England enter the tournament ranked fourth in the world and as the first European nation to secure qualification, having won all eight of their group matches without conceding a goal. Yet doubts surfaced after unconvincing March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, only partially eased by warm-up victories over New Zealand, Costa Rica and a closed-door thrashing of Miami FC. Croatia, ranked eleventh, arrive with a familiar core of veterans: Luka Modrić, Ivan Perišić and Mateo Kovačić all feature in a 3-4-2-1 shape that blends experience with emerging talents such as Luka Sučić and Martin Baturina. For Modrić, this tournament is widely expected to be his World Cup swansong, lending an emotional charge to a fixture that already carries considerable historical weight.

The meeting inevitably revives memories of the 2018 semi-final in Russia, where Croatia overturned an early England lead to win 2-1 in extra time and deny the Three Lions a place in the final. That result remains a reference point for both camps: in Zagreb it is recalled as the pinnacle of a golden generation’s resilience; in London it lingers as a wound that subsequent near-misses at the European Championships have only deepened. Tuchel’s staff have reportedly employed artificial intelligence to refine penalty strategies and conducted specialised sessions to acclimatise players to the Texan heat and humidity, acknowledging that fine margins could again decide the contest. Croatian analysts, meanwhile, point to their side’s enduring ability to drag superior opponents into draining, tactical battles.

Beyond the three points, the outcome in Dallas will shape the trajectory of Group L, which also includes Ghana and Panama. A victory for England would reinforce their status as one of the tournament favourites and offer Tuchel early validation, while a Croatian upset would immediately revive the narrative of the Three Lions’ vulnerability on the biggest stage. With the group winner likely to secure a more favourable path into the knockout rounds, the stakes are high. As the sun sets over Arlington, two nations carrying the weight of contrasting footballing histories will begin a match that feels less like an opening fixture and more like an early examination of their World Cup credentials.