Preview: Panama vs Croatia – latest news, lineups, absences | 2026 World Cup (24/06/2026)
Panama and Croatia face each other on matchday two of the 2026 World Cup group stage. The match will be played at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, and is extremely important for both teams, as they both lost their opening games.
Panama lost to Ghana with a goal in stoppage time; Croatia were beaten by England after being outplayed for much of the match. Victory is vital for both sides, as another defeat could leave them with one foot out of the World Cup.
Latest News: How the Two Teams Arrive
Both Panama and Croatia are at the bottom of Group L and need to respond if they want a chance of qualifying for the Round of 32. Both teams arrive with doubts and concerns, but they know that a win could be the turning point they need to put together a positive campaign in the tournament.
Panama
The Caribbean side competed well against Ghana. However, Thomas Christiansenâs men paid dearly for their only mistake of the match. It came in added time when they failed to stop an African counterattack. A tactical foul would have secured a valuable point, but that mistake condemned them to fight for qualification in their two remaining matches against the groupâs European teams: Croatia and England.
Croatia
The Balkan side, meanwhile, showed their attacking strengths in the first half against England by scoring two goals, but defensively they displayed worrying vulnerability. England could have scored four goals if it had not been for the excellent performance of goalkeeper Livakovic, who was one of Croatiaâs best players. Zlatko Dalic knows his players must improve significantly if they want to dream of continuing in the 2026 World Cup.
Probable Lineups
No major changes are expected in the lineup Thomas Christiansen will field for Panama. The Danish coach knows that a few adjustments could be enough. For Croatia, players such as Kovacic and Budimir are expected to feature in Zlatko Dalicâs starting eleven.
| Position |  –Panama |  –Croatia |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Mosquera | Livakovic |
| Defenders |
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| Midfielders |
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| Forwards | Waterman |
|
Tactical Analysis: Croatia to Control the Game
In their 2026 World Cup opener, Zlatko Dalicâs side suffered because they failed to control midfield. England found it far too easy to create chances against them. As a result, Croatia will look to dominate possession and pin Panama back into their own area. If they achieve that, they will have a strong chance of winning, as sustained pressure will create opportunities for players like Musa and Budimir, who are specialists in finishing chances.
Panama, meanwhile, will aim to remain solid defensively and attack on the counter with space available. The key for Thomas Christiansenâs men will be defending their penalty area effectively. They may struggle against crosses, and if they are not decisive when protecting their goal, they will have little chance of achieving a positive result.
Key Players to Watch
The players who appear most important for each team are Modric for Croatia and Murillo for Panama.
Modric â Croatia
Despite already being 40 years old, Luka Modric remains Croatiaâs guiding light. The former Real Madrid player and current Milan midfielder is the one who organizes everything and helps his teammates perform better. Against England, he lasted an hour. That will be the key for Dalicâknowing how long Modric can maintain his level. If Modric performs well, Croatia should be able to overcome Panama.
Murillo â Panama
For Panama, one player to keep a close eye on is Murillo. The right-back, who operates as a wing-back for the Caribbean side, is a fundamental piece of the team. If he performs well, Thomas Christiansenâs men can create danger on the counterattack thanks to his explosive runs forward. The Danish coach knows he needs the best version of all his players, especially Murillo.
Market Analysis and Odds
In this second group stage match of the 2026 World Cup, a more aggressive and compact Croatian side is expected compared to their opening game. The Vatreni have better individual players, and if they perform at their best level, they should defeat Panama.
Bookmakers and the current 2026 World Cup odds agree, with a Croatia victory priced between 1.52 and 1.57. What the markets do not expect is a high-scoring game. This is reflected in the odds for under 3.5 goals, which range between 1.30 and 1.35.
Final Prediction
Croatia enters as the favorite due to its individual quality and experience in these types of scenarios. However, Panama already showed against Ghana that it can compete and make things very difficult if it finds space on the counterattack.
At BetBrothers, you can now check out our predictions to find the best betting opportunities for every match. So get ready to place your 2026 FIFA World Cup football bets with confidence.
