Croatia at World Cup 2026: Group L Fixtures & Fan Travel Guide
Croatia, the 2018 finalists, play Group L in Dallas, Toronto, and Philadelphia, June 17–27, 2026. Fixtures, US and Canada entry rules, and one eSIM that crosses the border with you.
Published June 8, 2026·5 min read
Summary
Croatia, the 2018 World Cup finalists, play their three Group L matches in Dallas (vs. England, June 17), Toronto (vs. Panama, June 23), and Philadelphia (vs. Ghana, June 27) — a route that crosses both the US and Canada. Croatian fans need a US ESTA and a Canadian eTA, and one North America eSIM covers every city. Here's the full guide.
Croatia's Group L fixtures
Croatia remain one of the tournament's most battle-tested sides, having reached the 2018 final and the 2022 semifinals. Their opener against England at AT&T Stadium is the group's headline fixture, per the FIFA Group L guide, and their schedule sends them across two countries.
| Date (ET) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Wed Jun 17, 4 p.m. | England vs. Croatia | AT&T Stadium (Dallas) |
| Tue Jun 23, 7 p.m. | Panama vs. Croatia | BMO Field (Toronto) |
| Sat Jun 27, 4 p.m. | Croatia vs. Ghana | Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia) |
Plan each match day with our venue guides: getting to AT&T Stadium in Dallas, BMO Field in Toronto, and Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Entry: ESTA for the US, eTA for Canada
Croatia joined the US Visa Waiver Program in 2021, so Croatian passport holders need an approved ESTAfor the Dallas and Philadelphia games — apply on the official CBP site ahead of travel. For the Toronto fixture you'll also need a Canadian eTA, a quick online authorization linked to your passport. Carry both approvals, your match tickets in the FIFA World Cup 26™ app, and proof of onward travel.
Staying connected: eSIM vs roaming vs pocket Wi-Fi
Croatia's schedule sends you from Texas to Ontario to Pennsylvania, so the connectivity trap is the border: a US-only SIM goes dark in Toronto. A North America eSIM avoids that entirely — one plan, both countries, no swap — keeping maps, rideshare, and ticket QR codes live the whole trip.
| Option | Cost | Setup time | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM | Low | ~5 min (pre-install on Wi-Fi) | Excellent (local carrier) |
| Carrier roaming | High | Instant (already enabled) | Medium (partner-dependent) |
| Pocket Wi-Fi | Medium | Airport pickup / rental | Good (extra device to charge) |
A single North America eSIMcovers Dallas, Toronto, and Philadelphia on one plan and crosses the US–Canada border without a new SIM. From US$5 with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or card.
FAQ
QWhere does Croatia play at World Cup 2026?
ADallas (vs. England, June 17), Toronto (vs. Panama, June 23), and Philadelphia (vs. Ghana, June 27). The venues are AT&T Stadium, BMO Field, and Lincoln Financial Field — spanning both the US and Canada.
QDo Croatia fans need a visa for the USA and Canada?
AAn approved US ESTA plus a Canadian eTA — not full visas. Croatia is in the US Visa Waiver Program, so apply for an ESTA for the US games and an eTA for the Toronto match, both online on official sites.
QHow did Croatia do at the last World Cup?
ARunners-up in 2018 and third place at Qatar 2022. That tournament pedigree makes Croatia the most likely team to challenge England for top spot in Group L.
QWill one eSIM work in both the US and Canada for Croatia's games?
AYes — a North America eSIM covers Dallas, Toronto, and Philadelphia on one plan. No SIM swap at the border, and plans start around US$5.
Bottom line
Croatia's Group L journey crosses two countries, which means two entry approvals and one connectivity decision. Sort your ESTA and eTA early, then load a World Cup 2026 eSIMso the US–Canada border never knocks you offline between Dallas, Toronto, and Philadelphia.