England v Croatia LIVE: Thomas Tuchel faces Bukayo Saka decision as World Cup 2026 campaign begins – UK Times

England XI: Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

Croatia XI: Livakovic; Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Stanisic, Modric, Kovacic, Perisic; Sucic, Baturina; Musa

Bukayo Saka is touch and go to prove his fitness to start, with Noni Madueke ready to deputise on the right. Trevoh Chalobah will not be involved after replacing the injured Tino Livramento but will be available for their next outing. All other squad members are fit – will Tuchel pick Bellingham or Morgan Rodgers in the No 10 and who out of Guehi, Stones and Konsa starts at centre back?

As it stands, Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has a full bill of health, with all 26 players available for their opening game, including Manchester City duo Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic, who have endured injury-impacted seasons.

Thomas Tuchel has promised that England will be “brave” in this World Cup, and that a big “occasion” like that against Croatia “will bring out the best in us”.

England finally open their tournament in Dallas’ AT&T Stadium on Wednesday, although the German insisted that it is not yet big enough for him to sing the national anthem.

He did instead discuss how much he sees the country as “home”, as he aims to bring back a first trophy in 60 years.

Tuchel believes the key to that will be an adventurous approach that the squad are already used to.

He said: “I think we should play brave and play to the strengths of the players. I feel clearly that the players want it and that it helps us, and that they are successful in club football like this, they compete in the strongest league, most of them, the others who are not in the league compete in the highest level in Europe and Champions League and they play in brave and active teams and that’s what we try because it makes them comfortable.”

Viewers in the UK can watch the match free-to-air on ITV 1, ITV X, STV and STV Player with coverage starting at 8pm BST. It can also be live streamed on ITVX.