Panama and Croatia meet in Toronto on 23 June in a Group L fixture that carries significant weight for both sides after losing their opening games.
Both nations arrive at BMO Field on the back of Matchday 1 defeats, meaning this is effectively a must-not-lose encounter for each of them.
This article covers the Panama vs Croatia World Cup 2026 predictions, team news, predicted lineups, head-to-head record, and the best available betting odds.
| Fixture | Date | Kick-off | Venue | Round | TV (UK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama vs Croatia | 23 June 2026 | 23:00 BST | BMO Field, Toronto | Group L, Matchday 13 | BBC / iPlayer |
Group L standings after Matchday 1:
- England: 3 pts (W 4-2 Croatia)
- Ghana: 3 pts (W 1-0 Panama)
- Panama: 0 pts (L 0-1 Ghana)
- Croatia: 0 pts (L 2-4 England)
What’s at Stake
Both Panama and Croatia sit on zero points after Matchday 1, so this fixture is essentially a four-point swing in a group already looking tight at the top. A defeat here would leave either side needing a miracle result against England or Ghana to progress.
For Croatia, the margin of their Matchday 1 loss to England (2-4) means goal difference is already working against them, adding extra urgency to claiming a win rather than a draw here.
Panama, beaten narrowly 0-1 by Ghana, showed defensive resolve but lacked a cutting edge in attack. Three points against Croatia would keep their knockout hopes very much alive heading into the final group game.
Verdict
Croatia carry the higher technical quality and a squad built around top European club football, making them value to win a tightly contested group-stage fixture despite their Matchday 1 setback. A Croatia win at 4/7 reflects their superiority in squad depth and World Cup pedigree, and that price looks fair given Panama’s limited attacking output so far in this tournament.
Panama vs Croatia Match Preview
This is the first competitive meeting between Panama and Croatia, two sides at very different stages of their World Cup journeys. Croatia have reached the podium at multiple recent tournaments, finishing runners-up in 2018 and third in 2022. Panama, playing only their second World Cup, are building a new chapter in their still-short history at this level.
Croatia’s Matchday 1 result will concern Zlatko Dalic. Conceding four goals to England exposed defensive vulnerabilities, and Panama will be aware of that. Thomas Christiansen’s side were compact and hard to break down against Ghana, and can be expected to defend in numbers and look to hit on the counter.
Croatia’s individual quality, particularly in midfield, should tell over 90 minutes. However, Panama’s qualifying campaign was unbeaten in eight matches, which speaks to their organisational discipline. Expect a competitive match that is decided by moments of quality rather than a dominant attacking display from either side.
Team Form
Panama – last five results:
- Ghana (A): Lost 0-1 (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 results include a heavy friendly loss against Brazil, though that match should not be used as a direct measure of their competitive quality. Their World Cup opener against Ghana, a 0-1 defeat, showed they can limit better opponents but struggled to create clear chances of their own. Their CONCACAF qualifying run of five wins and three draws from eight unbeaten games provides the better guide to their defensive solidity.
Croatia – last five results:
- England (A): Lost 2-4 (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 friendlies were inconsistent, with defeats to Belgium and Brazil offset by a win over Colombia. Their UEFA qualifying record was excellent, winning seven of eight matches and scoring 26 goals in the process. The 2-4 loss to England is their primary concern, but Croatia have a strong history of bouncing back at World Cups when under pressure.
Panama vs Croatia Head-to-Head
Panama and Croatia have no recorded head-to-head history. This Group L encounter in Toronto is the first competitive meeting between the two nations. With no historical data to draw on, the analysis must rest on current form, squad quality, and the specific context of this World Cup.
Team News
Panama have no confirmed absences from their tournament squad ahead of this fixture. Thomas Christiansen is expected to name a similar defensive structure to the one that faced Ghana, with Michael Amir Murillo, Eric Davis, and Fidel Escobar forming the experienced core of the backline, and Luis Mejia expected to retain his place in goal. In midfield, Adalberto Carrasquilla carries the primary creative responsibility.
Panama’s attacking options remain limited at this level. José Fajardo and Ismael Diaz will hope to offer more of a threat against Croatia’s back line than was possible against Ghana’s tight defensive shape.
For Croatia, no fresh injury concerns have emerged from their opening match against England. Zlatko Dalic faces a decision over how much to rotate after a heavy defeat, though the need for a result may limit changes. Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, and Ivan Perisic all have the experience to lead a response, while Martin Baturina and Petar Musa both scored against England and will be looking to add to their tournament tallies.
Predicted Lineups
Panama (4-4-2): Mejia; Murillo, Davis, Escobar, Cordoba; Barcenas, Godoy, Carrasquilla, Diaz; Fajardo, Waterman.
Predicted XI – squad selection to be confirmed ahead of kick-off.
Croatia (4-3-3): Livakovic; Stanisic, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol, Sutalo; Kovacic, Modric (c), M. Pasalic; Vlasic, Budimir, Perisic.
Predicted XI – squad selection to be confirmed ahead of kick-off.
Key Tactical Matchup
The central battle of this fixture is likely to come down to how Panama’s defensive midfield unit handles the creativity of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic. Aníbal Godoy and Adalberto Carrasquilla will need to press high and limit the time Croatia’s playmakers have in central areas. Croatia scored twice against England and showed they can still create in open play, while Panama have conceded just four goals across their entire eight-match qualifying campaign. Whether Christiansen’s block can stay compact enough to deny Croatia the space they need in the final third is the defining question of this match.
Best Bets
Main pick:
- Croatia to win @ 4/7. Croatia’s squad depth, World Cup experience, and individual quality in midfield make them clear favourites against a Panama side that failed to score in their tournament opener. With both sides needing a result, Croatia’s attacking resources should be enough to edge a tense encounter.
Goals market:
- Under 2.5 goals @ 10/11. Panama’s defensive structure is designed to frustrate, and their qualifying campaign conceded just four goals in eight matches. Croatia, despite their attacking quality, may find this a difficult match to open up, making a low-scoring outcome a reasonable read at near-evens.
Scorer market:
- Andrej Kramaric to score anytime. Kramaric was Croatia’s most prolific scorer across recent qualifying and pre-tournament matches and offers a consistent threat from a central or wide attacking position. He brings experience of delivering in high-pressure fixtures.
Bet builder:
- Croatia to win and under 2.5 goals. If this match follows the pattern of a narrow, competitive group-stage fixture where defensive caution is a factor for both sides, combining a Croatia win with a low total could offer a decent combined price for those building a Panama vs Croatia bet builder.
Panama vs Croatia Betting Odds
The best available prices for the Panama vs Croatia result market are as follows.
| Outcome | Best Price |
|---|---|
| Panama | 6/1 |
| Draw | 3/1 |
| Croatia | 4/7 |
Odds sourced from leading operators and subject to change. Always check the best available price before placing any bet.
How to Watch and How to Bet on Panama vs Croatia
Panama vs Croatia will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on BBC / iPlayer on 23 June 2026, with kick-off at 23:00 BST.
If you are looking to follow the match with a bet, here are the steps to consider before placing your selections.
- Check the latest team news and confirmed lineups closer to kick-off, as last-minute changes can affect the value of certain markets.
- Compare Panama vs Croatia odds across multiple operators to find the best available price for your chosen selection.
- Review the Panama vs Croatia head-to-head record – in this case there are no prior meetings, so focus on recent form and squad quality instead.
- Consider the group context: both sides are on zero points, which increases the likelihood of both teams committing to attack at some stage.
- Assess the goals market alongside the result market, as Panama’s defensive record and Croatia’s mixed pre-tournament form may support an under bet.
- If building a Panama vs Croatia accumulator or acca, select other matches you have researched thoroughly rather than adding fixtures simply to inflate the odds.
- Set a clear stake before you place any bet and do not increase it based on anticipated returns.
- Use bet builders or each-way options only when the specific combination or market genuinely reflects your assessment of the match, not as a way to manufacture value.
Responsible Gambling
Betting on football should remain an enjoyable part of following the game, not a source of financial stress. Set a budget before any session and stick to it regardless of results.
If you feel your betting is becoming difficult to manage, free support is available through organisations including the National Problem Gambling Helpline, Gamblers Anonymous, and GamCare. Their services are confidential and available around the clock.
The World Cup offers a large number of fixtures over a short period, which can make it tempting to increase activity. Taking breaks and reviewing your betting habits regularly is always a sensible approach.
