By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-17 20:03:05 | Updated at 2026-06-19 04:14:25
1 day ago
KICK-OFF: England 0-0 Croatia
The time for talking is over!
England finally kick-off their World Cup campaign against the country that crushed their dreams eight years ago in Russia.
They beat them three years later at the Euros in their opening game - can they do the same today?
We are about to find out.
'Let's go!'
Craig Hope at the Dallas Stadium:
Kane roared down the camera, as did a few others. Tuchel, meanwhile, was very straight-faced - this is where the real business starts for him. I like him a lot, but this is where he will be judged. Let's go!
God Save The King
Beautifully done, absolutely beautiful.
The players and fans sing the national anthem in unison, and man, it is so loud. The closed roof certainly makes a difference.
Thomas Tuchel, of course, doesn't sing the anthem, but none of us are expecting him to at this point.
The majority of the England players did have a go, though. Respect.
Kick-off closing in
Warm-ups done. Stands full. Kick-off close.
We are now just over five minutes from England's World Cup campaign getting underway, and boy, oh boy, I'm excited.
The atmosphere inside the Dallas Stadium is popping off, with both sets of fans singing their heart out.
The players are now emerging from teh tunnel as I write this...
England's three key stars
My colleague Craig Hope has picked the three players that he thinks will have the biggest impact on this England team.
The two obvious names are Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, but he also believes Elliot Anderson will be key for the Three Lions.
I mean, if Anderson plays to his best level, then England have one hell of a midfielder in the middle of the park.
I think Declan Rice would argue he will be key, too...
'FIFA’S fan ‘super shoutout’ flops'
Mike Keegan at the Dallas Stadium:
'Intrigued to see Croatia's defence'
Jack Gaughan at the Dallas Stadium:
Klopp and Henderson reunite
Ahhh, this is nice to see.
Jurgen Klopp and Jordan Henderson have just shared a quick hug and catch-up ahead of the game.
Klopp was obviously Henderson's coach while he was captain at Liverpool, so the pair share a very special bond. You can still see they have a lot of love for each other.
Takes you back to all those post-match embraces they used to share during their eight years together at Anfield.
'This might be Bellingham's only start'
Ian Ladyman at the Dallas Stadium:
It will be interesting to see if Bellingham can play to the beat of his coach’s drum here in Dallas. If he doesn’t, this may well be the only game out here that the Real Madrid star actually starts.
Fans ready at Boxpark
How are we all feeling?
I imagine nervous energy is starting to swarm the country as fans flock to pubs and venues across the country.
This is the scene at Boxpark in Croydon, which is full to the brim of England fans in bucket hats. The drinks are certainly flowing, that's for sure.
Can't wait to see the clips of them throwing beer over each other if England score.
That's their MO, no?
Tuchel: 'Now it's over to the players'
Thomas Tuchel, England boss, speaking to ITV:
It was very close. In the end, we stuck with the team that played and started so well against Costa Rica. Both of them [Bellingham and Rogers] deserve to start – we will have these kinds of decisions. Bukayo Saka had an incredible training session yesterday and deserved to start, but we will not start and finish this game with [the same] 11 players. We need a strong bench and we have players who can change and influence matches from the bench.
On Jude Bellingham:
On the Croatia team:
Croatia's most famous fan leads the support
The Croatia fans are making themselves heard in Dallas.
There are a lot of supporters sporting the classic red and white chequered look in the stands. They're everywhere!
Ivana Knoll - a Croatian model and attention-seeker-in-chief from the Adriatic nation - is one of those cheering on her country, and earlier today she claimed that Croatia will dispatch England today.
She doesn't seem to like the English team very much...
