England captain Harry Kane takes center stage in Group L on Wednesday night as Thomas Tuchel's tournament favourites look to settle an old World Cup score against Luka Modrić's battle-hardened veterans.
English football fans are waiting on tenterhooks across the United States ahead of their high-stakes Fifa World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday night.
In what is billed as one of the blockbuster encounters of the group stages, Harry Kane will have an immediate opportunity to carry over his stellar club form when England launch their quest for glory in Group L. The Three Lions arrive at the tournament among the heavy favourites, while Croatia remain one of international football's most battle-hardened sides following their run to the 2018 final and the 2022 semi-finals.
For England, much of the tactical spotlight and media scrutiny will once again fall on Kane. The 32-year-old captain heads into the tournament in sensational form after scoring an incredible 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich during the 2025/26 domestic season — numbers that have seen many label him the most complete striker in world football.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić certainly thinks so. Ahead of the clash, he described Kane as "arguably the best striker in the world" and warned his side about the unique threat England's record goalscorer poses.
