Panama vs Croatia Picks, Predictions & Betting Odds: World Cup 2026 Preview

Panama vs Croatia kicks off at 7:00 PM ET on June 23, 2026, at BMO Field, Toronto in Group L of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Both sides arrive on zero points after Matchday 1 defeats, making this a must-win contest for each. Coverage is on Fox Sports in the United States.

• Date: June 23, 2026
• Kickoff: 7:00 PM ET (19:00 UTC-4)
• Venue: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
• Stage: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group L, Matchday 2
• TV (USA): Fox Sports / Telemundo

Why This Game Matters

Both Panama and Croatia opened Group L with defeats and face the same brutal arithmetic: a second consecutive loss almost certainly ends any hope of reaching the round of sixteen. With England and Ghana both on three points above them, the loser here is effectively eliminated, and even a draw leaves both sides needing results beyond their control on Matchday 3. This is a World Cup knockout game in all but name.

Our Pick

Croatia are the play at -180, with the quality of their squad and World Cup pedigree justifying their status as clear favorites against a Panama side yet to score at this tournament. Z. Dalić’s veterans have reached the podium at back-to-back World Cups and the pressure of elimination tends to bring the best out of this generation of Croatian players.

Panama vs Croatia: Preview, Picks & Betting Odds

Panama vs Croatia carries stakes that could scarcely be higher for two teams in elimination territory. Panama are making only their second World Cup appearance, eight years on from their debut at Russia 2018, where they lost all three group games. Coach Thomas Christiansen has taken the side further than any predecessor, guiding them through a spotless qualifying campaign in CONCACAF, but the gap between regional success and global competition was exposed by a 1-0 defeat to Ghana on Matchday 1 in which Panama failed to register a single goal.

Croatia’s position is only marginally more comfortable on paper, but the gulf in squad quality between these two sides is significant. Z. Dalić’s side lost 4-2 to England, conceding four for the first time in recent memory at a major tournament, yet they still created chances and their attacking roster reads like a who’s-who of European club football. Luka Modrić, at 40 years old and appearing at his fifth World Cup, is the emotional heartbeat of this side, while Ivan Perišić and Andrej Kramarić provide the finishing threat that Panama simply cannot match at the other end.

The Panama vs Croatia betting odds reflect that quality gap clearly, with Croatia installed as heavy favorites at -180. The Croatian midfield axis of Modrić and Mateo Kovačić, both of Manchester City, is the engine that will look to dominate possession and create the openings that broke Panama’s CONCACAF opponents apart. Panama’s best hope rests on staying compact, absorbing pressure, and finding a moment of individual quality from Ismael Díaz or José Fajardo on the counter.

Recent Form & Trends

Panama’s last five results:

• Ghana (A, World Cup): Lost 0-1
• Bosnia and Herzegovina (N, Friendly): Drew 1-1
• Dominican Republic (H, Friendly): Won 4-2
• Brazil (A, Friendly): Lost 2-6
• South Africa (A, Friendly): Won 2-1

Panama’s form is a study in contrasts. The 4-2 win over Dominican Republic and the 2-1 away win in South Africa show a side capable of scoring goals in comfortable company, but the 6-2 hammering by Brazil and the goalless showing against Ghana offer a more honest read at international level. Panama are yet to score a competitive goal at this World Cup and the quality of their recent opponents outside CONCACAF suggests their attacking output may be modest against a Croatia side with genuine defensive organization.

Croatia’s last five results:

• England (A, World Cup): Lost 2-4
• Slovenia (H, Friendly): Won 2-1
• Belgium (H, Friendly): Lost 0-2
• Brazil (N, Friendly): Lost 1-3
• Colombia (N, Friendly): Won 2-1

Croatia’s pre-tournament form was inconsistent, with defeats to Belgium and Brazil raising questions about their defensive solidity ahead of the tournament. The 4-2 loss to England confirmed those concerns at the highest level. However, Croatia showed they can score against elite opposition – they put two past England – and Dalić’s teams have a track record of improving as tournament pressure builds. Their qualifying record of seven wins from eight, scoring 26 goals and conceding only four, underscores the underlying quality that one heavy group-stage defeat should not obscure.

Injuries, Suspensions & Roster News

Panama arrive with an experienced but aging squad averaging around 30 years of age. Christiansen has a settled core to call upon, with captain Aníbal Godoy anchoring midfield alongside Adalberto Carrasquilla. The attacking options are led by Ismael Díaz and José Fajardo, who between them have the most international goal contributions in the current group. There are no specific injury concerns reported ahead of this fixture from the Panamanian camp.

Croatia are monitoring the fitness and form of key attackers following the England defeat. Andrej Kramarić has been the most prolific Croatian attacker in recent international football and will be expected to lead the line again, with Perišić providing width and delivery. Modrić, despite his age, was named in the squad and selected for this World Cup, underlining how central he remains to Dalić’s setup. No suspensions are in force for either side heading into this Matchday 2 fixture.

For Panama, the tactical question facing Christiansen is whether to ask Ismael Díaz and Fajardo to press high and create transition moments, or sit deep and prioritize the clean sheet that at least keeps a point on the board. Given Croatia’s quality in midfield, a disciplined defensive block is likely the starting framework, with any threat generated from quick transitions through the wide areas.

Expected Lineups

Panama (4-4-2): Luis Mejía; Michael Amir Murillo, Fidel Escobar, César Blackman, Eric Davis; Yoel Bárcenas, Aníbal Godoy (c), Adalberto Carrasquilla, Ismael Díaz; Cecilio Waterman, José Fajardo

Croatia (4-3-3): Dominik Livaković; Josip Stanišić, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Joško Gvardiol, Marin Pongračić; Mateo Kovačić, Luka Modrić (c), Mario Pašalić; Nikola Vlašić, Andrej Kramarić, Ivan Perišić

Predicted lineups – squads to be confirmed.

Key Matchup to Watch

The central contest that will define this game is Aníbal Godoy against the Croatian midfield pairing of Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić. Godoy, Panama’s captain with 159 international caps, is the defensive anchor tasked with disrupting Croatia’s creative heartbeat. Modrić, 40, and Kovačić, both products of Manchester City’s elite training environment, will look to recycle possession quickly and find pockets of space behind Panama’s compact lines. If Godoy and Carrasquilla can force Croatia wide and prevent those central combinations from clicking, Panama have a chance of keeping the scoreline respectable. If Croatia’s midfield finds its rhythm, the channels open and Panama’s backline faces a long evening.

Best Bets & Expert Picks

Here are the Panama vs Croatia best bets and picks for this World Cup 2026 Group L fixture.

• Main Pick: Croatia to Win @ -180 (BetOnline / Lucky Rebel). The squad quality differential is stark: Croatia’s core includes players from Manchester City, Atalanta, Real Sociedad, and Bayern Munich, while Panama’s attacking options have been unable to score a single competitive goal so far at this World Cup. Under elimination pressure, Z. Dalić’s experienced side is expected to perform.
• Goals Market: Under 2.5 Goals @ -112 (BetOnline / Lucky Rebel). Panama’s conservative defensive structure and their failure to score in their opening game points to a tight affair. Croatia may win this without needing to open up entirely, and a 1-0 or 2-0 scoreline is more likely than a high-scoring affair. The under -112 price is the pick over the over, which sits at +106.
• Scorer Market: Andrej Kramarić to Score Anytime. With seven goals in recent international play, Kramarić is Croatia’s most reliable finisher and the man Dalić will lean on when a goal is needed. Against a Panama backline that conceded without registering a single shot on target against Ghana, Kramarić is the highest-confidence pick in any anytime scorer market.
• Value Angle: Croatia to Win to Nil. Given Panama’s goalscoring struggles, a Croatia clean sheet alongside a victory represents additional value at extended prices. Panama scored zero in a competitive fixture against Ghana and face a significantly stronger opponent here. The case for Croatia keeping a clean sheet is a legitimate read, not a stretch.

Betting Odds & Lines

Here are the current Panama vs Croatia betting odds and lines across the three approved operators for this World Cup 2026 Group L match.

Outcome	BetOnline	Lucky Rebel	BetNow
Panama (Win)	+620	+620	+600
Draw	+298	+298	+300
Croatia (Win)	-182	-182	-195

Total (2.5 Goals)	BetOnline	Lucky Rebel	BetNow
Over 2.5	+106	+106	-105
Under 2.5	-122	-122	-120

The best available price on Croatia is -180 across the market. Panama can be backed at a best of +620 for a notable upset. The draw is available at a best of +310.

How to Watch & Where to Bet

How to Watch

Panama vs Croatia is broadcast live in the United States on Fox Sports and Telemundo. Fans in Canada can watch on CTV, TSN, or RDS. UK viewers can tune in on ITV or BBC, while Australian audiences can catch coverage on SBS or Optus Sport. The match kicks off at 7:00 PM ET on June 23, 2026, from BMO Field in Toronto.

How to Bet

New to betting on World Cup 2026? Here is how to place your wager on Panama vs Croatia.

1. Choose a licensed operator. BetOnline, Lucky Rebel, or BetNow all cover this fixture with full odds.
2. Create or log in to your account.
3. Navigate to the soccer or World Cup 2026 section.
4. Search for Panama vs Croatia under Group L fixtures on June 23.
5. Select your market – match result, totals, or anytime scorer.
6. Enter your stake in the bet slip.
7. Review the potential payout displayed by the sportsbook before confirming.
8. Submit the bet and follow the action live on Fox Sports.

Responsible Gambling

Gambling should always be approached as entertainment, not a source of income. If betting is causing concern for yourself or someone you know, the National Council on Problem Gambling helpline is available 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER. Additional support can be found through Gamblers Anonymous. Bet only what you can afford to lose.