Croatia football team readies for World Cup opener against England in Arlington

Fans of the Croatian national team gathered in Arlington, Texas, to welcome the squad before its first Group C match of the 2026 World Cup against England. The city displayed Croatian colours on landmarks and a city bus, while around 800 supporters, many of them Croatian expatriates, turned up outside the team's hotel.

Coach Zlatko Dalić warned that the seven‑hour time difference, high temperatures and humidity pose a jet‑lag risk for his players. Medical staff have briefed the squad and imposed early sleep schedules, while the team arrived via Washington before heading to the base. England’s coach Thomas Tuchel chose a different strategy, sending his squad to Florida ten days earlier to acclimatise to the climate and time zone.

The contrasting preparation methods mean England may have a small physiological edge, but Croatia’s recent tour of Orlando, featuring games against Colombia and Brazil, has given the players valuable experience with long‑distance travel. Both sides aim to start the tournament strongly despite the adjustment challenges.