By OkayGoal 
Group L, Matchday 13 | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | Kickoff: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
TV/Streaming: Fox Sports, Telemundo (USA)
Group L Standings:
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 |
| Ghana | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| Panama | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| Croatia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 0 |
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What’s at Stake
Both Panama and Croatia arrive at BMO Field with zero points after Matchday 1 defeats, meaning this is already a near-elimination contest in Group L. Croatia absorbed a 4-2 loss to England, while Panama fell 1-0 to Ghana. The loser here faces a group exit barring an extraordinary swing in goal difference on Matchday 3, and even a draw leaves both sides needing a win in their final game against England or Ghana respectively. Three points on June 23 does not guarantee progression, but it keeps the door open. A loss almost certainly closes it.
Verdict
Croatia are the right side to be on in this Panama vs Croatia prediction, with Zlatko Dalic’s squad carrying significantly more World Cup pedigree and finishing firepower despite their opening setback against England. At -180 on the best available price, a Croatia win is the most defensible position in this market, backed by a qualifying record of seven wins and one draw and the presence of proven scorers like Andrej Kramarić and Ivan Perisic.
Panama vs Croatia Match Preview
This fixture frames itself neatly as an encounter between a nation writing its World Cup history and one that has become synonymous with tournament resilience. Panama are only at their second World Cup, and their opener against Ghana exposed the step up in quality that comes with facing competitive European and African opposition at this level. Croatia, despite losing heavily to England, remain a structurally sound side with deep experience and multiple routes to goal, and their -2 goal difference flatters Panama’s +1 only marginally in terms of what the underlying performances suggested.
Thomas Christiansen’s side enter with an organized defensive shape that held firm through a demanding CONCACAF qualifying campaign, conceding just four goals across eight games. But the demands of a World Cup group stage against higher-ranked opposition are a different proposition. Croatia’s midfield quality, particularly through Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic, creates pressure in areas Panama struggled to handle against Ghana. The real question is whether Panama can create enough going forward to threaten Dominik Livakovic, who is not short of experience in high-stakes knockout football.
Croatia cannot afford a second consecutive loss if they want to realistically pursue progression. That urgency should translate into a more aggressive performance than the one that conceded four to England. Dalic will look to restore structure and use his wide attackers to probe a Panama defensive unit that has the experience of veterans like Eric Davis and Michael Amir Murillo but may find Croatia’s movement difficult to track for 90 minutes.
Team Form
Panama Recent Form
- Ghana (A): Lost 1-0 – FIFA World Cup
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (N): Drew 1-1 – Friendly
- Dominican Republic (H): Won 4-2 – Friendly
- Brazil (A): Lost 2-6 – Friendly
- South Africa (A): Won 2-1 – Friendly
Panama’s pre-tournament preparation painted a picture of a side capable of competing against regional opposition and lower-ranked nations, but their 6-2 loss to Brazil in a friendly underlined the gulf that can emerge against elite pressure. Their World Cup opener against Ghana was tight and disciplined until the decisive goal, which suggests Christiansen’s side can organize, but generating chances against a Croatia defense that conceded only four goals across eight qualifying games will require more creativity than they have consistently shown.
Croatia Recent Form
- England (A): Lost 2-4 – FIFA World Cup
- Slovenia (H): Won 2-1 – Friendly
- Belgium (H): Lost 0-2 – Friendly
- Brazil (N): Lost 1-3 – Friendly
- Colombia (N): Won 2-1 – Friendly
Croatia’s pre-tournament form was inconsistent, with defeats to Belgium and Brazil sandwiching a friendly win over Slovenia. The 4-2 loss to England on Matchday 1 will concern Dalic, particularly defensively, but Croatia did score twice against one of the tournament favorites, which at least demonstrates their attacking threat remains live. Their qualifying campaign, seven wins and one draw from eight games with 26 goals scored, is a more reliable indicator of what this squad is capable of across a competitive campaign.
Panama vs Croatia Best Bets
Main Pick: Croatia to Win @ -180 (BetOnline / Lucky Rebel)
Croatia’s World Cup pedigree, superior squad depth, and more reliable scoring options make them the stronger side in this elimination-pressure fixture. Their qualifying campaign produced 26 goals across eight games, and Kramaric enters the tournament as one of the most clinical finishers in the squad with seven recent international goals to his name. Panama have yet to score at this World Cup and face a steeper climb against a Croatia side that will be sharper and more urgent than in their England loss.
Goals Market: Over 2.5 Goals @ +106 (BetOnline / Lucky Rebel)
Croatia scored twice against England, one of the World Cup’s stronger defenses, which signals their offensive capability even in defeat. Panama conceded to Ghana while struggling to create clear chances themselves, and Croatia’s midfield quality should generate enough pressure to find the net more than once here. The best available price of +106 on over 2.5 goals at BetOnline and Lucky Rebel carries genuine value given both sides need to score and Croatia have the tools to push the total past three.
Scorer Market: Andrej Kramaric Anytime Scorer
Kramaric is Croatia’s most prolific recent scorer with seven goals across their last run of internationals and is likely to start centrally with license to attack a Panama defensive line that has not been tested by European movement at this tournament. He finished as one of Croatia’s leading threats through qualifying and should be prominent here given Dalic will want to establish scoring rhythm after the England loss.
Optional Pick: Croatia to Win and Over 2.5 Goals (Combination)
The conditions favor a Croatia victory with goals. Panama are under pressure to attack, Croatia need to restore goal difference, and the individual quality of Perisic, Kramaric, and Nikola Vlasic in forward areas points toward a multi-goal Croatian performance. This combination at BetNow, where Croatia’s win price opens at -195, presents a higher-risk but coherent read on how this fixture unfolds.
Panama vs Croatia Odds Across Operators
Here is how the Panama vs Croatia betting odds compare across the three approved operators:
| Outcome | BetOnline | Lucky Rebel | BetNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panama Win | +620 | +620 | +600 |
| Draw | +298 | +298 | +300 |
| Croatia Win | -182 | -182 | -195 |
| Totals (2.5) | BetOnline | Lucky Rebel | BetNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 2.5 | +106 | +106 | -105 |
| Under 2.5 | -122 | -122 | -120 |
BetOnline and Lucky Rebel offer the best available price on a Croatia win at -182, while BetNow prices them shorter at -195. For the over 2.5 goals market, BetOnline and Lucky Rebel lead with +106, making them the preferred option for that particular bet.
Team News
Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen has a settled squad at his disposal with no confirmed suspensions following the opening defeat to Ghana. The group blends veterans of the Russia 2018 campaign, including full-back Michael Amir Murillo and midfielder Yoel Barcenas, with a core of players in their late twenties and early thirties. Forward José Fajardo and midfielder Ismael Diaz are the side’s most prolific recent scorers and are expected to be integral to any attacking threat Panama can generate.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic faces more interesting selection decisions after the England loss exposed defensive vulnerabilities that allowed four goals. The back line will likely be reviewed, with Josko Gvardiol expected to remain a fixture at left center-back given his quality. Captain Luka Modric, 40, carries the weight of Croatia’s World Cup ambitions and his presence in midfield remains central to the side’s structure and tempo. Ivan Perisic, named for his fourth World Cup at 37, brings experience on the left wing and provides a direct threat in attacking positions.
Martin Baturina and Petar Musa have already scored at this World Cup, which gives Croatia’s attacking options a broader base than may be immediately apparent. Dalic is unlikely to make wholesale changes but may tighten defensive organization and look for more discipline in the midfield press to avoid a repeat of the space England exploited in behind. No significant injury absences have been confirmed for either side ahead of this fixture.
Panama vs Croatia Predicted Lineups
Panama (4-4-2): Luis Mejia; Michael Amir Murillo, Eric Davis, Fidel Escobar, Jose Cordoba; Yoel Barcenas, Anibal Godoy (c), Adalberto Carrasquilla, Ismael Diaz; José Fajardo, Cecilio Waterman
Croatia (4-3-3): Dominik Livakovic; Josip Stanisic, Duje Caleta-Car, Josko Gvardiol, Marin Pongracio; Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric (c), Mario Pasalic; Nikola Vlasic, Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic
Predicted lineups based on available squad information. Confirmed selections to follow closer to kickoff.
Key Tactical Matchup
The central battle that shapes this game is Croatia’s midfield trio against Panama’s defensive block. Modric and Kovacic, both with extensive European club experience, are among the most technically accomplished central midfielders in this tournament, and their ability to control tempo and find runners in behind will be the primary mechanism through which Croatia create chances. Panama’s defensive shape, organized enough to concede only four goals in qualifying, will aim to sit compact and absorb pressure, but the half-spaces between Panama’s midfield four and defensive line are where Kramaric and Vlasic will look to operate. If Adalberto Carrasquilla and Anibal Godoy cannot get close to Croatia’s midfield runners quickly, the Croatians will generate the volume of chances their quality suggests.
How to Watch and How to Bet
How to Watch Panama vs Croatia
Panama vs Croatia is available to watch live in the United States on Fox Sports and Telemundo on June 23, 2026, with kickoff at 7:00 PM ET. Viewers in Canada can catch the match on CTV, TSN, or RDS. International viewers can check their regional broadcasters, with ITV and BBC covering the match in the UK, TF1 and beIN Sports in France, and ARD, ZDF, or MagentaTV in Germany.
How to Bet Panama vs Croatia
If you are looking to place a bet on this Panama vs Croatia picks showdown, here is a straightforward process to get your wager down responsibly:
- Choose a licensed sportsbook available in your state, such as BetOnline, Lucky Rebel, or BetNow.
- Create an account if you do not already have one, providing the required identity verification.
- Navigate to the Soccer or FIFA World Cup 2026 section of the sportsbook.
- Find the Panama vs Croatia fixture under Group L, Matchday 2.
- Browse the available markets: match result, totals, scorer markets, and combination bets.
- Select your chosen bet and check the price matches the best available odds before confirming.
- Enter your stake, review the potential return, and confirm your bet slip.
- Watch the match on Fox Sports or Telemundo and follow the action live.
Responsible Gambling
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