Tough Start Awaits England as Croatia Stands in the Way at World Cup
Image Source: Internet
England's World Cup journey begins next June against a familiar foe, Croatia, in a Group L matchup that promises to be a challenging start for Thomas Tuchel's team. The 48-nation tournament features several unknown quantities, but England's research on their opening opponent will be relatively straightforward. England's history with Croatia dates back to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, where they suffered a loss. However, the team gained revenge by beating Croatia in the group phase of the 2021 European Championship en route to the final. With Panama and Ghana completing the group, England's toughest test may come first, as the winner of that game is likely to top the section. Croatia, a seasoned tournament regular, boasts a rich history, having reached the semi-finals in 1998 and 2022, and finishing as runners-up in 2018. Reacting to the draw, Tuchel acknowledged the difficulty of the group and the opening match, stating that Croatia is a 'top team' and a 'regular in the finals.' England, the only European team to qualify with a 100% record, will face high expectations to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966. Tuchel, however, remains focused on navigating the group, cautioning against underestimating Ghana and Panama. He emphasized that the team will not overlook any opponent, including Panama, which they know little about ahead of the tournament. Should England win the group, they would face a third-placed team in the last-32, potentially setting up a path that could include co-hosts Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. However, Tuchel remains focused on the group stage, stating that it makes no sense to think about the next round when the team is still in the group. The draw may influence England's friendly matches in March, with Japan and Uruguay the likely opponents. However, Tuchel hinted that the schedule could change. England's players will not see their manager again until the friendly games, which means a few frustrating weeks ahead for the team. Tuchel expressed his excitement about the upcoming tournament and his focus on the opponents, stating that he would love to start next week. England's World Cup journey is set to begin, and the team will look to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.
