England vs Croatia: UEFA Nations League – preview, team news, predictions

What the report says

England are set to host Croatia at Wembley Stadium in London in a UEFA Nations League Group A3 match on Thursday, with a place in the quarterfinals within reach. Al Jazeera reports that England need only a draw to progress, while Croatia are aiming to recover from a heavy defeat in the reverse fixture last month and to protect their place in the top tier of the competition.

The match carries a major individual milestone for Harry Kane, who is expected to win his 126th cap for England and move past Peter Shilton as the men’s team’s most capped player. Kane, who recently won the Ballon d’Or, is also England’s leading scorer. Al Jazeera said the captain will be honored before kickoff, with Shilton due to attend. England manager Thomas Tuchel also said Kane remains central to the side and confirmed he plans to stay in the job through Euro 2028.

A second storyline is the possible senior debut together of Jude and Jobe Bellingham. The younger Bellingham has received his first England call-up after strong form for Borussia Dortmund and the under-21 side. If both brothers feature, they would become the first sibling pair to play for England since 2007.

Team news includes several absences for both sides. England are without Marc Guehi, Bukayo Saka and Myles Lewis-Skelly, while Croatia are missing Ivan Perisic and several others through injury or suspension. Al Jazeera noted that Croatia will seek a more competitive response after England’s 7-0 win in Rijeka in October.