By Tyler Erzberger0ShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Mexico and South Africa are getting ready to kick off the 2026 World Cup in only a few days, with 46 other nations also putting the final touches on preparations before beginning a summer of potential across North America.
While most countries have a whimsical optimism about how far they can go at the World Cup, England is not one of those teams.
For a nation that has lost back-to-back European Championship Finals and feels like the Charlie Brown of the soccer world, they hope that this time they connect with the ball when they wind up to kick it.
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Game of the Group: England vs. Croatia
This one is personal for English fans.
Eight years ago, England believed they were on the verge of reaching the World Cup Final, making it all the way to the semifinals to play a plucky Croatia squad.
Kieran Trippier scored in the opening five minutes to turn the ever-pessimistic English fans into truly believing this was their moment to go all the way.
Then it all fell apart, Croatia tying it in the second half before Mario Mandžukić scored in extra time to take his nation to an unprecedented World Cup Final.
Although England has won the last two times these teams have met in official competition, including a Euro win in 2021, it's not the same.
Even a win at the World Cup wouldn't make up for the heartbreak of 2018, but it would be a tiny bit of revenge. And if Croatia wins, it might mentally break every single person in England.
Player of the Group: Luka Modrić (Croatia, AC Milan)
In a tournament that could be the last for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Modric might be overshadowed in what will be not only his final international games of his career but his final professional games of his legendary career.
Modric is reportedly set to retire after the end of the tournament for Croatia, following a tumultuous season in Italy with Milan, and that means one of the best midfielders of the 21st century will say goodbye to the sport in North America this summer.
His aforementioned performance at the 2018 World Cup won him the Ballon d'Or while he was a member of Real Madrid, and even at 40, there are still only a few players you'd take over Modric in the middle of the field in a do-or-die game.
...Group Prediction
Ghana is weaker than in previous editions of the tournament, with a very exploitable defense, which England and Croatia should both take advantage of in their games.
Panama will bring the grit and physicality they always do, but they should finish fourth in the group, unless they can upset Ghana.
England is the most talented team in the group and my pick to come out on top, but if Croatia does them in again, it won't be pretty for manager Thomas Tuchel.
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