Panama vs Croatia Picks, Predictions & Betting Odds: World Cup 2026 Preview
Panama vs Croatia World Cup 2026 predictions: both teams on zero points in Toronto, making this a must-win. We're backing Croatia at -180.
Luca Ferretti
Updated on 20 June 2026
| Match | Date | Kickoff | Venue | Stage | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama vs Croatia | June 23, 2026 | 7:00 PM ET | BMO Field, Toronto, Canada | World Cup 2026, Group L, Matchday 2 | Fox Sports, Telemundo |
| Team | Played | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Ghana | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Panama | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Croatia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
Why This Game Matters
Both sides arrive in Toronto on zero points after Matchday 1 defeats, meaning this is effectively a knockout game in all but name: lose here and the path to the round of sixteen becomes close to impossible with England and Ghana having already opened with wins. For Panama, it is a chance to claim a historic first World Cup point; for Croatia, a side that finished runners-up in 2018 and third in 2022, anything other than three points would put a genuine World Cup 2026 exit firmly on the table. The stakes could scarcely be higher.
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Our Pick
Croatia to win this match, available at -180 with BetOnline and Lucky Rebel, is the headline call: a tournament-hardened side with a generational midfield cannot afford to drop more points and the quality gap between these squads is substantial. At -180, the price reflects Croatia’s class without crossing into territory where the value disappears entirely, making this a reasonable anchor for any Panama vs Croatia betting slip.
Panama vs Croatia: Preview, Picks & Betting Odds
This is the most consequential fixture in Group L on Matchday 2, and it is not particularly close. Panama are a nation making only their second World Cup appearance, arriving with genuine heart and a disciplined shape but without the individual quality that wins knockout football. Against Ghana they controlled large swathes of possession, completing an impressive 502 passes, yet could not convert that dominance into a goal and lost 1-0. Thomas Christiansen‘s side works hard and presses with conviction, but the attacking end product has been the persistent question mark throughout his tenure.
Croatia have bigger problems to solve, but also bigger tools with which to solve them. A 4-2 defeat to England in Dallas was damaging on the scoreboard, yet Croatia created chances and scored twice, showing they are capable of generating offense even against top-tier opponents. Zlatko Dalic‘s side carries the experience of back-to-back podium finishes at the last two tournaments and a squad that, even in its current transitional phase, is packed with Champions League-level players.
The Panama vs Croatia prediction leans heavily on that experience differential. Panama will defend with structure and make Croatia work for every opportunity, but the Croatian midfield engine, with Luka Modric pulling strings and Mateo Kovacic driving forward, should eventually find the gaps. Expect a tight, low-scoring affair in which Croatia’s individual brilliance proves decisive.
Recent Form & Trends
Panama Recent Form
- vs Ghana (N): Lost 0-1 (World Cup 2026)
- vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (N): Drew 1-1 (Friendly)
- vs Dominican Republic (H): Won 4-2 (Friendly)
- vs Brazil (A): Lost 2-6 (Friendly)
- vs South Africa (A): Won 2-1 (Friendly)
Panama’s pre-tournament preparation was a mixed bag. The 6-2 hammering in Brazil exposed vulnerabilities against elite pressing, and the World Cup opener against Ghana confirmed that creating clear-cut chances remains a challenge for this group. Ismael Diaz, who leads Panama’s recent scoring charts, needs to find space against a Croatian backline that conceded just four goals across eight qualifying games.
Croatia Recent Form
- vs England (A): Lost 2-4 (World Cup 2026)
- vs Slovenia (H): Won 2-1 (Friendly)
- vs Belgium (H): Lost 0-2 (Friendly)
- vs Brazil (N): Lost 1-3 (Friendly)
- vs Colombia (N): Won 2-1 (Friendly)
Croatia’s recent form is patchy, with three losses in their last five including the England defeat. What it also shows, however, is that they score goals: they found the net in four of those five fixtures. Andrej Kramaric and Ivan Perisic lead the recent scoring charts and Croatia carry a consistent attacking threat even through difficult stretches. The concern is at the back, where conceding four against England will worry Dalic heading into this game.
Injuries, Suspensions & Roster News
Panama come into this game without any confirmed long-term absentees from their announced squad. Christiansen has a full complement of players available, though the selection questions center on whether to persist with the same shape that produced good possession numbers but zero goals against Ghana. Veteran midfielder Anibal Godoy, the squad’s most-capped player, provides leadership in the center of the park, while Adalberto Carrasquilla is expected to continue as the creative hub. The attack will likely look to Jose Fajardo and Cecilio Waterman for the physical presence and movement needed to stretch Croatia’s defense.
Croatia’s squad is broadly intact after the England game, with Martin Baturina and Petar Musa both finding the scoresheet in that defeat and likely to retain their places. The bigger concern for Dalic will be the defensive shape: the backline was carved open repeatedly by England and Panama, while presenting a very different challenge, will look for any sign of the same organizational issues. Josko Gvardiol at left back and Josip Stanisic on the right are expected to push forward, and any breakdown in transition could present Panama their best opportunity of the match.
Luka Modric, at 40, continues to start and his influence on Croatia’s tempo and rhythm is irreplaceable. There is no suggestion he will be rested for this fixture, given what is at stake, and his partnership with Kovacic in central midfield remains the heartbeat of everything Croatia does going forward.
Expected Lineups
Panama (4-4-2): Luis Mejia; Michael Amir Murillo, Fidel Escobar, Eric Davis, Jose Cordoba; Yoel Barcenas, Anibal Godoy (c), Adalberto Carrasquilla, Ismael Diaz; Jose Fajardo, Cecilio Waterman.
Croatia (4-3-3): Dominik Livakovic; Josip Stanisic, Duje Caleta-Car, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Sutalo; Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric (c), Mario Pasalic; Martin Baturina, Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic.
Predicted lineups based on available squad information. Starting XIs subject to confirmation closer to kickoff.
Key Matchup to Watch
The contest that shapes this game is Panama’s central midfield block against Croatia’s ball-playing engine of Modric and Kovacic. Panama’s strength lies in compactness: Godoy and Carrasquilla form a disciplined pairing capable of disrupting rhythm and winning second balls, as they showed against Ghana by limiting their opponents to very little in central areas. The problem is that Modric operates in pockets of space that conventional pressing struggles to close, and Kovacic’s power and range of passing creates a second outlet every time the first is blocked. If Panama can win the midfield battle and pin Croatia back on the counter, they have a route to a result. If Croatia’s midfield controls the tempo, the Panama vs Croatia score prediction points toward a comfortable Croatian win.
Best Bets & Expert Picks
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Main Pick: Croatia to Win @ -180 (BetOnline, Lucky Rebel)
Croatia are the stronger side on every objective measure and cannot afford another slip. Their qualifying campaign produced 26 goals in eight games, and even in a pressured, must-win environment they have the individual quality to break down Panama’s low block. At -180 the price is fair for a side of Croatia’s World Cup pedigree against a team still seeking their first-ever point at this level.
Goals Market: Under 2.5 Goals @ -112 (BetOnline, Lucky Rebel)
Panama conceded just four goals in eight qualifying games and have shown in tournament conditions that they defend with discipline and sit deep. Against Ghana they kept Croatia’s template opponent reasonably quiet. A tense, low-scoring match in which Croatia edge it 1-0 or 2-0 looks more likely than a goal fest, and the Under 2.5 at -112 offers genuine value given both sides’ defensive records.
Anytime Scorer: Andrej Kramaric
Kramaric leads Croatia’s recent scoring charts and operates as the central attacker in Dalic’s preferred setup. Against a Panama side that will defend deep but has shown it can be caught on transitions and set pieces, Kramaric’s movement in the box and clinical finishing make him the standout scorer candidate. He found the net seven times in the period leading into this tournament and carries that momentum into a high-pressure fixture.
Correct Score: Croatia 1-0 @ best available price
The most likely scoreline in a game where Croatia are heavy favorites but Panama’s defensive resilience makes a cricket score improbable. A single goal separating the sides fits the available form data: Panama kept it tight against Ghana and Croatia are capable of grinding out narrow wins when pressed.
Betting Odds & Lines
Here is a full comparison of the Panama vs Croatia betting odds across our featured sportsbooks for the main match result market.
| Outcome | BetOnline | Lucky Rebel | BetNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panama (Win) | +620 | +620 | +600 |
| Draw | +298 | +298 | +300 |
| Croatia (Win) | -182 | -182 | -195 |
| Market | BetOnline | Lucky Rebel | BetNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 2.5 Goals | +106 | +106 | -105 |
| Under 2.5 Goals | -122 | -122 | -120 |
The best Panama vs Croatia odds for a Croatian win sit at -180 across the market. Panama at +620 with BetOnline and Lucky Rebel represents the best available price if you believe in the upset.
How to Watch & Where to Bet
How to Watch
Panama vs Croatia kicks off at 7:00 PM ET on June 23, 2026, from BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. US viewers can watch live on Fox Sports and Telemundo. Canadian audiences can follow the action on CTV, TSN, and RDS. UK viewers have coverage on ITV and BBC, while Australian fans can tune in via SBS and Optus Sport.
How to Bet
New to betting on World Cup 2026 fixtures? Follow these steps to get your wager placed before kickoff.
- Choose a licensed sportsbook such as BetOnline, Lucky Rebel, or BetNow.
- Create your account and verify your identity as prompted.
- Navigate to the deposit section and fund your account using your preferred payment method.
- Search for “Panama vs Croatia” or browse to the World Cup 2026 section.
- Select your preferred market, whether the match result, totals, or a scorer market.
- Enter your stake and review your potential payout before confirming.
- Submit your bet slip and keep a record of your wager.
- Watch the game and cash out or let the bet run to its conclusion.
Responsible Gambling
Responsible Gambling: Betting should always be kept fun and within your means. If you or someone you know is experiencing issues with gambling, free and confidential help is available 24/7 by calling or texting the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700, or by visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling online. Additional support can be found at Gamblers Anonymous. Never chase losses, never bet more than you can afford to lose, and please gamble responsibly.
Luca Ferretti
When he is not breaking down match footage or tracking the form of clubs across Italy, Luca can usually be found in heated discussions about whether Italian football is genuinely back or just temporarily convincing everyone it is. He covers Serie A tactics, player form, and the broader culture of the Italian game for Footitalia.
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