Group L Matchday 3 with second place at stake. Croatia need a win or draw to clinch the runner-up spot; Panama need a win to keep best-third hopes alive. Luka Modric plays his record sixth World Cup at 40.
Why: Croatia's squad depth is significantly greater. Modric, Kovacic, Brozovic in midfield, Kramaric/Budimir up front, Gvardiol at the back. Panama have spirit and Godoy's leadership but the technical gap is real.
Kramaric scored 4 in qualifying. His Hoffenheim 2025-26 season produced 14 Bundesliga goals. Against Panama's compact 4-4-2 his movement in the box is well-suited. Anytime price 2.20.
Carrasquilla averages a yellow every 4 matches at MLS pace. Tasked with breaking up Croatia's transitions through Modric-Kovacic-Sucic, the foul rate climbs. Anytime Card around 2.30.
The match is at BMO Field in Toronto. Capacity 45,500.
BMO Field hosts six matches at the 2026 World Cup.
Panama at their second World Cup.
Thomas Christiansen coach since 2020.
Something cool: After mixed results in matchday 1 and 2, Panama need a win to keep Round of 32 hopes alive via best-third path.
Croatia 2018 finalists, 2022 semi-finalists.
Zlatko Dalic coach since October 2017.
Something cool: Modric at 40 equals Ronaldo and Messi as the only male players ever to feature in six World Cups.
Godoy 157 caps record.
Plays for Nashville SC in MLS.
Captaining at his second World Cup.
Modric captain since 2016. 2018 Ballon d'Or winner.
Now plays for AC Milan after Real Madrid 2012-2025.
At 40 captaining at his sixth and final World Cup.
Panama lost matchday 1 to Ghana 0-1 and lost matchday 2 to England 0-3.
Croatia drew matchday 1 with England 1-1 and beat Ghana 1-0 on matchday 2.
Based on each side's most recent friendly. Final XIs confirm one hour before kick-off; this page will update.
| Date | Match | Venue | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jun | England vs Croatia | Arlington | Preview → |
| 17 Jun | Ghana vs Panama | Toronto | Preview → |
| 23 Jun | England vs Ghana | Foxborough | Preview → |
| 23 Jun | Panama vs Croatia | Toronto | This page |
| 27 Jun | Croatia vs Ghana | Philadelphia | Preview → |
| 27 Jun | Panama vs England | East Rutherford | Preview → |
All four teams, qualification scenarios and BetBot predictions: See full Group L overview →
Christiansen's Panama 4-4-2 deep block.
Dalic's Croatia 4-3-3 with Modric deep, Kovacic and Brozovic in midfield, Kramaric and Budimir up top with Sucic creating.
Croatia secure second place with a draw or win. Panama need a win to keep best-third hopes alive.
Tuesday 23 June 2026 at 19:00 ET (01:00 CEST Wednesday 24 June). BMO Field, Toronto.
Central midfielder Anibal Godoy (Nashville SC), 157 caps the national record.
Central midfielder Luka Modric (AC Milan), captain since 2016. 2018 Ballon d'Or.
Yes, his record sixth. He equals Ronaldo and Messi as the only male players ever to feature in six.
Croatia: secure runner-up spot. Panama: must-win to keep best-third path alive.
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