World Cup 2026: Croatia Can Get Up And Running Against Panama

Croatia vs Panama

Group J action is on the menu at the BMO Field Stadium in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening local time, where World Cup 2026: Panama vs Croatia kicks off in a crunch match. 

This is a clash of the group J bottom two after Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia lost 4-2 to England in a thoroughly entertaining opener while, managed by former Leeds United coach Thomas Christensen, Panama lost their opener to Ghana. Both nations are keen to get off the mark on Tuesday, but the Panama vs Croatia betting odds say it is Croatia who will get the win they need and I’m inclined to agree. 

 

Talking Points

Croatia gave England a scare

The big match in Group L, between England and Croatia felt almost like a top of the table decider and had more significance as Zlatko’s men had put the Three Lions out of the 2018 World Cup at the semi-final stage; and many of the Croatia players from that era are still around the current squad. And while England were impressive in attack the Croatians fought back twice to level before the game ran away from them.   

Talisman Luka Modric was the culprit for England’s opener after he fouled Noni Madueke on 12 minutes and Harry Kane converted from the penalty spot at the second attempt. At 40 years of age Modric is still a class act but this wasn’t his finest moment. Croatia levelled with a bit of help from England keeper Jordan Pickford who couldn’t keep out a wicked shot from Martin Baturina, getting a hand to it but only helping it on its way into the net. England went ahead again as Kane completed his brace, but their lead lasted just minutes before veteran winger Ivan Perisic flicked the ball on for Petar Musa to slide home. Goals from Jude Bellingham and a late strike from Marcus Rashford won the game for England but the result was in the balance for most of the match. 

While Croatia do have some hugely experienced players, they also have some exciting youngsters coming through, such as Tottenham Hotspur’s 19-year-old centre back Luca Vuskovic who has impressed on loan at SV Hamburg this year with some mature performances.    

Once the Three Lions and Ghana have finished their game earlier on Tuesday evening their fans will be keenly listening to the Panama vs Croatia updates; and more so in the Africans’ I suspect. Should England beat Ghana as expected, then a win for Croatia over Panama would put their destiny back in their own hands. 

 

Panama lacks a cutting edge  

Los Canaleros went down to a superb goal from Caleb Yirenkyi, deep into injury time, in their 1-0 loss to Ghana, but with the vast majority of possession and more shots at 11 to seven, and more on target at four to two Panama had more than enough opportunity to win the game, or at least escape with a draw. Cecilio Waterman had an early effort brilliantly saved by the Ghana stopper and then Jiovany Ramos blazed over with the goal at his mercy after a week punch from the keeper.   

And that pattern of play continued into the second half and Cristian Martinez should have done better when he sliced a shot into the side netting, and they were left to rue their misses when Ghana struck at the death. I fear they won’t have so many chances against Croatia so when they do come, Panama must make the most of their opportunities. 

Veteran wingback Eric Davies will be a key player in defence and in attack. At 35 he is a senior figure but no older than Croatia’s big players!  

 

History

Croatia and Panama have never encountered each other which is little surprise as Los Canaleros are only at their second World Cup finals having first appeared in Russia in 2018. Meanwhile, since the break up of Yugoslavia, the independent Croatia has been at seven World Cup finals, reaching the final in 2018, only to lose to France, and the semi-final four years later. 

In terms of recent form Croatia’s loss to England was their third defeat of the calendar year while they have won twice, and Panama have won two games, drawn three and lost three in 2026.   

 

Betting Tip

Joint bottom of Group L, there is plenty riding on this game and Croatia are the hot favourites at SBOTOP odds of 1.50 to get their first win of the 2026 tournament, with Panama at 6.50 and the draw at 3.85, and I can see a comfortable Croatian win.  

   

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