Croatia vs Panama: World Cup 2026 Match Preview

On June 24, 2026, Croatia will take on Panama in a vital match in Toronto, as both teams look to recover from disappointing starts in Group L of the World Cup 2026. Croatia, managed by Zlatko Dalic, lost their opening match against England 4-2, despite twice equalizing through goals from Martin Baturina and Petar Musa. This defeat puts Croatia in a precarious position, as they aim to avoid a second consecutive loss in the tournament.

Historically, Croatia has struggled against teams from the Americas in World Cup matches, winning only two of their last ten encounters. However, they have shown resilience in past tournaments, having reached the semifinals despite losing their opening games in recent World Cups.

Luka Modric, the veteran midfielder, is set to make his 200th appearance for the national team, adding significance to the match. Despite only playing 58 minutes against England, Modric's experience will be crucial for Croatia as they look to regain their form.

On the other hand, Panama also seeks redemption after a 1-0 loss to Ghana, where they were unable to score despite controlling 62% of the possession. Coach Thomas Christiansen's side has yet to win a match in World Cup history, having lost all four of their previous games. However, their performance against Ghana showed promise, with standout player Jose Cordoba completing 101 successful passes, a record for a Panamanian player in World Cup history.

Both teams will be eager to secure their first points in the tournament, making this encounter a must-watch for football fans. The match is scheduled to kick off at 6:00 AM (Vietnam time) on June 24, 2026.

Match Prediction: Panama 1 - 2 Croatia