Panama vs Croatia – Prediction, Where to Watch, Kick-off Time and Lineups 24-06

Tip

Croatia to win

Panama vs Croatia – Prediction, Where to Watch, Kick-off Time and Lineups 24-06
Author:

Marko Zdravkovic

Published:

Panama and Croatia meet for a crucial second-round match in the World Cup 2026 group stage. The match kicks off on Wednesday, 24 June at midnight (12 AM) (BST) at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario.

Both nations are coming into this game after suffering defeats in their opening fixtures, so a victory is vital for their chances of advancing. This prediction for Panama vs. Croatia points towards a tense encounter, as neither side can afford to drop more points in this competitive group.

Keep reading to discover our betting tips and key statistics for Panama vs. Croatia.

Tip

Croatia to win

Match Overview - Panama vs. Croatia

  • Panama faces a crucial second-round match after a 1-0 loss to Ghana in their World Cup opener. Another defeat would likely end their hopes of advancement.
  • Croatia also seeks to rebound after a 4-2 defeat to England in their tournament opener. They aim for a victory in this crucial fixture to revive their campaign.
  • Both nations desperately need points, setting the stage for a tense encounter. This will be their first competitive meeting, adding unpredictability.

Head-to-Head Record

  • This World Cup fixture marks the first-ever competitive encounter between Panama and Croatia, introducing a significant element of unpredictability for both sides.
  • Panama has secured four wins from their last ten international matches across all competitions, showing mixed recent form.
  • Croatia demonstrates a stronger recent record, having achieved six victories in their past ten matches before this game.
  • In their initial World Cup 2026 match, Baturina and Musa each scored for Croatia during their defeat to England.
  • Panama’s defence has been vulnerable, as they have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last eight matches.

Panama Form and Team News

Panama’s World Cup 2026 campaign began with a 1-0 loss to Ghana in their first group stage match. This defeat puts them at a disadvantage, as another loss could end their tournament hopes. They must show more attacking creativity.

Their form before the tournament was mixed, including friendly wins but also a heavy 6-2 loss against Brazil. This highlights both their scoring potential and defensive vulnerabilities for the Panama vs. Croatia game.

Panama reports one injury (Carrasquilla). Defender José Córdoba, who played the entire first match, will be crucial in organising the backline against a challenging Croatian side.

Croatia Form and Team News

Croatia began their World Cup 2026 campaign with a 4-2 defeat to England, despite netting two goals. This opening loss places significant pressure on them, as another setback could severely hinder their chances of advancing from the group stage.

Their pre-tournament form was inconsistent, marked by mixed results in friendly matches. However, Croatia’s strong performance during the qualifiers highlights the quality of their squad. They must tap into this experience to find their best form for this crucial second-round fixture.

The team boasts a fully fit squad with no reported injuries. Attackers Baturina and Musa, both of whom scored against England, will be key players. A solid defensive effort will be equally vital to secure the much-needed victory against Panama.

Panama vs. Croatia Prediction: Croatia to grab a vital win

Croatia showed attacking intent by scoring twice against England in their opener. With both teams desperate for a win after opening defeats, an open match could unfold, potentially seeing over 2.5 goals scored.

Panama’s defence has been a significant concern, having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight games. Facing Croatia’s quality attack, they might struggle early on, making a Croatia lead at half-time a strong possibility.

Considering Croatia’s superior squad depth and Panama’s defensive vulnerabilities, the European side are clear favourites. Our main prediction is for Croatia to secure a much-needed victory in this crucial World Cup group stage encounter.

Panama
PAN
Panama

Croatia
Croatia
CRO
Double Chance & Over/UnderOver 2.5 goals in the match
Money LineCroatia to be leading at half-time

The odds mentioned were collected during the writing of this prediction and may change. Always check with the bookmaker for the latest information.

Panama
PAN
Panama

Croatia
Croatia
CRO
Double Chance & Over/UnderOver 2.5 goals in the match
Money LineCroatia to be leading at half-time

Where to Watch Panama vs. Croatia

For those wondering where to watch Panama vs. Croatia, here are the broadcast details:

  • TV: BBC RED Button (GBR), BBC One (GBR), BBC Sport (GBR)
  • Streaming: BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR), BBC iPlayer (GBR), BBC Sport app (GBR)

Panama vs. Croatia Predicted Lineups

In this crucial World Cup 2026 fixture, team selection could be the deciding factor. The predicted Panama lineup will likely be set up for tactical discipline. On the other side, the Croatia lineup is expected to feature a blend of experience and creativity, aiming to control the flow of the match from the outset. Getting the starting XI right will be vital for both nations’ ambitions in this competition.

Panama

Mosquera; Andrade, Ramos, Córdoba, Murillo, Blackman; Harvey, Bárcenas, Martínez, Rodríguez; Waterman.

Manager: Thomas Christiansen.

Croatia

Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol; Modrić, Sučić, Baturina, Pašalić, Perišić; Budimir.

Manager: Zlatko Dalić.

Match Details

Here are the match details:

  • Match: Panama vs. Croatia
  • Competition: World Cup 2026
  • Date: 24/06/2026
  • Kick-off: Midnight (12 AM) (BST)
  • Venue: BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Broadcast: BBC iPlayer (GBR), BBC One (GBR), BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR), BBC RED Button (GBR), BBC Sport app (GBR), BBC Sport (GBR)

Enjoyed our betting analysis? Share it with your friends and check out more of our predictions on the site.

For more football analyses, explore our Predictions page, offering tips and insights on upcoming games.

Please gamble responsibly! You must be 18+ to bet.

Tip

Croatia to win