Panama and Croatia meet at BMO Field in Toronto on June 23 in a Group L clash that carries genuine elimination stakes for both sides. Both teams opened with defeats on Matchday 1 and a second consecutive loss would effectively end their World Cup 2026 campaign before the final round. Panama vs Croatia odds reflect Croatia as clear favorites, but the margin between the sides is narrower than the pre-tournament assessments suggested.
Croatia qualified from UEFA Group L with a 7W 1D 0L record, scoring 26 goals and conceding just four across eight matches. Their opening game in this tournament ended in a 4-2 defeat to England, a result that leaves manager Zlatko Dalić with little room for error. Panama went unbeaten through their CONCACAF qualifying campaign, posting a 5W 3D 0L record with 14 goals scored and four conceded, before falling 1-0 to Ghana in a match decided in stoppage time.
Why This Game Matters
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Both teams sit on zero points after Matchday 1. England lead Group L on three points following their win over Croatia, and Ghana are second after beating Panama. A draw here leaves both sides needing a result on Matchday 3, but a loss for either team effectively removes them from contention given the group’s structure. For Panama, the prize is a first-ever World Cup point. For Croatia, a defeat would represent the earliest World Cup exit of the Dalić era and would end the country’s run of knockout-stage appearances at consecutive tournaments.
Our Pick
Croatia to win, best price -180. Croatia’s qualifying pedigree, depth of European club talent, and superior goal difference from their qualifying campaign make them the logical choice even accounting for their 4-2 opening loss to England.
Panama vs Croatia: Preview, Picks & Betting Odds
Panama’s World Cup 2026 story has already been defined by fine margins. They were seconds away from a first-ever World Cup point against Ghana before conceding a stoppage-time winner, a result that leaves Thomas Christiansen’s side in desperate need of a positive result here. Panama have never won or drawn a World Cup match, and they have never previously faced Croatia at a major tournament. Their qualifying campaign demonstrated real defensive organization, conceding just four goals across eight games, but they now face a Croatian midfield unit built around players operating at the highest levels of European club football.
Croatia arrived at this tournament as one of European football’s most consistent World Cup performers, having reached the runners-up position in 2018 and third place in 2022. The 4-2 defeat to England on Matchday 1 was heavier than many expected, but Dalić has shown a consistent ability to recover from early adversity at major tournaments. Luka Modrić, now 40 and playing for Milan, remains the fulcrum of Croatia’s build-up play, and the midfield depth behind him, including Mateo Kovačić of Manchester City and Mario Pašalić of Atalanta, gives Croatia an ability to control possession and tempo that Panama’s squad cannot match on paper.
Panama’s route to a positive result runs through discipline, compactness, and set-piece threat. Goalkeeper Luis Mejía and the experienced defensive line kept Ghana out for most of their opener and created real chances going forward. But Croatia’s attacking options, led by Andrej Kramarić and Ivan Perišić, who has 38 international goals in 154 caps, offer far more variety and technical quality than Panama have faced so far at this tournament. Croatia’s ability to manage close matches and grind out results in high-stakes knockout-style situations makes them the more reliable pick when the pressure is highest.
Recent Form & Trends
Panama last five:
- Ghana (N): Lost 0-1 (FIFA 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 recent form shows a side capable of scoring goals but vulnerable against quality opposition. The 2-6 loss to Brazil in a pre-tournament friendly exposed their defensive limitations against technically superior sides. The 1-0 defeat to Ghana was a far more competitive showing, and the late goal flattered Ghana’s margin of victory given the chances Panama created.
Croatia last five:
- England (A): Lost 2-4 (FIFA 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 preparation produced mixed results, with defeats against Belgium and Brazil sandwiching a win over Colombia. The 4-2 opening loss to England was their second occasion conceding four or more goals in recent months. However, England are among the tournament favorites, and Croatia have consistently performed better in must-win situations than their warm-up results suggest. Their qualifying record of 26 goals scored in eight matches confirms an attacking capability that is not fully reflected in their recent friendly results.
Injuries, Suspensions & Roster News
Panama have a fully announced squad for the tournament. Goalkeeper Luis Mejía, who has 56 caps, is expected to continue between the posts. The experienced outfield core, including Aníbal Godoy with 159 caps, Yoel Bárcenas with 104, and Michael Amir Murillo with 94, gives Christiansen a settled and experienced defensive and midfield structure. Ismael Díaz, who has 17 goals in 57 caps for Panama, leads the attacking options alongside José Fajardo, who carries 17 international goals in 68 appearances.
Croatia also have their full squad available. Dominik Livaković, who has 75 caps, holds the goalkeeper position. The defensive line features Joško Gvardiol of Manchester City and Josip Stanišić of Bayern Munich among the most prominent names. Martin Baturina and Petar Musa both scored in Croatia’s opening match against England, demonstrating that the attack remains capable of producing goals even in defeat. There are no confirmed suspensions or injuries from either camp based on available information heading into Matchday 2.
The key roster question for Croatia surrounds the balance between experience and freshness in their midfield. Luka Modrić, at 40, remains the creative hub but cannot be expected to sustain the same energy levels that characterized his peak tournaments. How Dalić manages the minutes of Kovačić, Nikola Vlašić, and the younger midfield options will shape the tempo Croatia can sustain across 90 minutes against a Panama side built to press and disrupt in high-pressure moments.
Expected Lineups
Panama (4-4-2): Mejía; Murillo, Córdoba, Escobar, Harvey; Bárcenas, Godoy (c), Carrasquilla, Díaz; Fajardo, Waterman.
Croatia (4-3-3): Livaković; Stanišić, Erlić, Gvardiol, Šutalo; Kovačić, Modrić (c), M. Pašalić; Vlašić, Kramarić, Perišić.
Predicted lineups based on available squad information. Official lineups to be confirmed closer to kickoff.
Key Matchup to Watch
The battle between Panama’s midfield and Croatia’s control unit is the axis on which this game turns. Aníbal Godoy and Adalberto Carrasquilla will attempt to disrupt Croatia’s rhythm and limit Luka Modrić’s influence on the game. Croatia’s qualifying record included 26 goals scored across eight matches, built in part on their midfield’s ability to create from deep positions and generate volume through combination play. If Godoy and Carrasquilla can force Croatia into direct and hurried play, Panama can stay compact and look for Ismael Díaz and José Fajardo on transitions. If Modrić and Kovačić are allowed to dictate the tempo, Croatia’s wide threats through Ivan Perišić and Nikola Vlašić are likely to find space behind Panama’s defensive line.
Best Bets & Expert Picks
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Croatia to win @ -180 (BetOnline / Lucky Rebel) Croatia’s superior qualifying record, seven wins from eight matches against UEFA competition, and their historical ability to perform in high-stakes World Cup knockout-style matches support this pick. Panama have never won a World Cup match, and their task is made harder by facing a Croatian midfield unit that, even below its best, carries significantly more European club pedigree. At -180, the price reflects the gap between these sides without being prohibitively short.
Over 2.5 goals @ +106 (BetOnline / Lucky Rebel) Both sides created chances in their opening matches despite the defensive discipline each displayed during qualifying. Panama conceded late against Ghana while Croatia scored twice against England’s high-quality backline. Croatia’s qualifying total of 26 goals in eight games and Panama’s own attacking returns, including a 4-2 friendly win over Dominican Republic, point toward an open game. The over 2.5 line at +106 offers genuine value in a match where both teams are under pressure to score.
Andrej Kramarić anytime scorer Kramarić leads Croatia’s recent scorer charts, with seven goals in the goal-scoring period tracked by the squad data. He did not score against England but remains the most consistent finishing threat in Dalić’s attack. His movement between the lines and ability to arrive late into the penalty area create the kind of opportunities that Panama’s defensive structure will need to track carefully across 90 minutes. He is the natural candidate to benefit from Modrić and Kovačić service in central areas.
Panama vs Croatia correct score: Croatia 2-1 Panama are capable of scoring, as their qualifying record and attacking personnel confirm. But Croatia’s goal output and individual quality make a multi-goal margin likely if the game opens up. A 2-1 scoreline, mirroring Croatia’s pre-tournament friendly win over both Colombia and Slovenia, acknowledges Panama’s ability to threaten while reflecting Croatia’s overall superiority on the night.
Betting Odds & Lines
Current Panama vs Croatia betting odds from leading US sportsbooks as of June 20, 2026:
| Outcome | BetOnline | Lucky Rebel | BetNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | +620 | +620 | +600 |
| Draw | +298 | +298 | +300 |
| Croatia | -182 | -182 | -195 |
The best available price on Croatia is -180 across the market. Panama’s best price of +620 is available at both BetOnline and Lucky Rebel. The draw is priced at +310 at the best available rate. For the totals market, over 2.5 goals is priced at +106 at BetOnline and Lucky Rebel, with BetNow offering -105 on the same line.
How to Watch & Where to Bet
How to Watch
Panama vs Croatia kicks off at 7:00 PM ET on June 23, 2026, at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. US viewers can watch the match live on Fox Sports and Telemundo. Canadian viewers can access coverage through CTV, TSN, and RDS. The match is also broadcast in the UK on ITV and BBC, in Germany on ARD, ZDF, and MagentaTV, and across most major markets through their respective domestic rights holders.
How to Bet
To place a bet on Panama vs Croatia through a licensed US sportsbook, follow these steps:
- Choose a licensed US sportsbook such as BetOnline, Lucky Rebel, or BetNow.
- Create an account or log in to an existing account.
- Verify your identity and location eligibility as required by the operator.
- Deposit funds using your preferred payment method.
- Navigate to the FIFA World Cup 2026 section or the soccer betting markets.
- Find the Panama vs Croatia Group L fixture for June 23.
- Select your preferred bet type, whether match result, totals, or a player market.
- Enter your stake, review the potential return, and confirm the bet before the kickoff deadline.
Responsible Gambling
Betting involves financial risk and there is no guarantee of a return on any wager. Anyone who feels their gambling is becoming a problem can contact the National Council on Problem Gambling helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537), available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additional support is available through Gamblers Anonymous at www.gamblersanonymous.org. Bet only what you can afford to lose and set firm limits on deposits, wagers, and session time before placing any bet.
