World Cup 2026: Croatia vs Panama Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

Croatia meet Panama at Toronto Stadium on Wednesday with kickoff 01:00 CAT, both sides chasing their first points after losing their openers. Croatia were beaten 4-2 by England despite goals from Musa and Baturina, while Panama fell to a late Yirenkyi strike in a 1-0 defeat to Ghana. With England and Ghana already on three points, the loser here is all but eliminated, so I expect a charged contest from both camps. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

Croatia

Croatia carry the quality edge in this game, and I think Dalic will lean on the same press resistant midfield that controlled long spells against England before defensive errors cost them. At 40, Modric captains the side and dictates the tempo alongside Mateo Kovacic, who is fit again after his Achilles surgery, while Josko Gvardiol has recovered fully from his shin fracture and started the opener. My concern is the back line, which leaked four goals last time out, but against a Panama side that did not register a meaningful threat versus Ghana I expect Croatia to dominate the ball and control the danger. They simply must win to keep qualification in their own hands.

Predicted Lineup: Livakovic; Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Stanisic, Sucic, Kovacic, Modric Perisic; Pasalic, Musa, Baturina.

Panama

Panama go all in on intensity under Thomas Christiansen, pressing high and playing direct the moment they win possession. Marseille full back Michael Amir Murillo offers genuine top tier experience down the right, and in attack Ismael Diaz, Jose Fajardo and Cecilio Waterman all carry a scoring threat from their Concacaf form. The problem is that they failed to test Ghana despite seeing plenty of the ball, attempting no shots in the first half, and that toothlessness worries me against a far stronger opponent. After their opening defeat Panama need a result here or their tournament is effectively over.

Predicted Lineup: Mosquera; Ramos, Cordoba, Andrade; Murillo, Harvey, Martinez Blackman; Barcenas,  Waterman, Rodriguez.

Croatia have the superior midfield and the bigger names, and I expect them to set up camp in the Panama half and break through more than once. Panama showed little going forward against Ghana, so I am backing the Croatians to win comfortably and keep a clean sheet as they chase the goal difference they will need in this group. My forecast: Croatia 3 Panama 0.

BTTS: No (1.76)

Panama managed no shots in the entire first half against Ghana and looked blunt in the final third throughout, so I have real doubts they break down Croatia here. With Modric and Kovacic likely to monopolise possession and starve the Panama forwards of service, I am happy to back BTTS: No for value at 1.76.