There is a milestone and a crisis wrapped up in the same night for Croatia. In Toronto, 40-year-old Luka Modric wins his 200th cap, becoming only the fourth man in history to reach the mark, but he does so with his team bottom of Group L and staring at an early exit. Panama, beaten late by Ghana, are in the same boat: lose here and you are all but out. Here is how to watch this genuine must-win, when it kicks off near you, and who comes through.
Kickoff is 7:00 PM ET on Tuesday, June 23 / midnight BST early Wednesday at BMO Field in Toronto. In the US it is on Fox and streams free on Tubi. In Britain it is free on BBC One, with streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Watching Panama vs Croatia Free
No paid subscription required here. Several official broadcasters have it free.
UK viewers get the best deal: the whole match is free on BBC One and iPlayer, though it is a midnight kick-off. In the US, Tubi streams it free, with Fox showing the English broadcast and Telemundo the Spanish. Stick with the official broadcaster for the safest stream.
Panama vs Croatia on TV Around the World
UK USA Canada
Croatia
Panama
IndiaWhat Time Is Panama vs Croatia in Your City?
New York / Toronto (ET)Chicago (CT)Los Angeles (PT)
Panama City (EST)
London (BST)
Zagreb (CEST)
Madrid / Paris (CEST)
Dubai (GST)
New Delhi (IST)
Sydney (AEST)
Tokyo (JST)
Doha (AST)When Does It Kick Off Where You Are?
Pick your country and we will do the maths.
Group L Standings: Both Sides in the Drop Zone
England and Ghana both won on Matchday 1, leaving Panama and Croatia rooted to the bottom. Croatia’s 4-2 loss to England and Panama’s late 1-0 defeat to Ghana mean this is, in effect, a knockout game. The loser will almost certainly be heading home.
England
GhanaThe top two qualify automatically, plus the best third-placed teams across the groups. Form badge shows each team’s last result.
Modric’s 200th Caps a Croatia Crisis Game
It should be a night of pure celebration for Luka Modric. At 40, the Croatia captain wins his 200th cap in Toronto, joining Cristiano Ronaldo, Bader Al-Mutawa and Lionel Messi as the only men ever to reach the landmark. He is expected to retire after this tournament. But the mood around the squad is anxious rather than joyful, because Croatia, the 2018 finalists, sit bottom of Group L after a chastening 4-2 defeat to England.
That loss laid bare a real problem. Croatia faced 22 shots and shipped four goals, their defence repeatedly carved open. The midfield of Modric and Mateo Kovacic remains as classy as any in the tournament, and in Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric they have proven match-winners. The talent to beat Panama is obvious. Whether the back line can hold up is the question that will decide their World Cup.
Panama, at only their second World Cup, will fancy their chances of exploiting it. Thomas Christiansen’s side were unfortunate against Ghana, not facing a single shot in the first half before a 95th-minute sucker punch settled it. They are organised, physical and quick on the counter, with Cecilio Waterman and Jose Luis Rodriguez ready to attack the space behind Croatia’s shaky full-backs. If they can frustrate Modric and break at speed, an upset is on.
These two have never met, so there is no history to call on. Croatia’s quality should ultimately tell, and the pressure of the occasion may bring the best out of Modric on his big night. But given how open they looked against England, a clean sheet feels unlikely. Expect a nervy Croatia win, with Panama more than capable of making them sweat.
How They Might Line Up
Croatia’s Zlatko Dalic is likely to review a back line that leaked four against England, with Modric anchoring the midfield. Panama’s Christiansen keeps his organised, counter-attacking shape, though Carlos Harvey must avoid a booking or miss the final group game.
PANAMA · Christiansen · 3-4-3Mosquera · Ramos, Cordoba, Andrade · Murillo, Harvey, Barcenas, Blackman · Martinez, Waterman, Rodriguez
CROATIA · Dalic · 4-3-3Livakovic · Stanisic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Perisic · Modric (c), Kovacic, Pasalic · Baturina, Musa, Kramaric
Back Your Scoreline
A must-win with goals likely in it. 1XBET are pricing every market, and new players get a welcome bonus up to $130.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.
A Word on BMO Field
Home to MLS side Toronto FC and the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, BMO Field has been expanded for the World Cup and is known as Toronto Stadium during the tournament. It is one of two Canadian host venues and is hosting six matches. The natural grass and cooler northern conditions should suit a technical game. There is more on it at Wikipedia.
Panama and Croatia have never met at any level, so this is a first encounter. Croatia’s most recent game against a CONCACAF side was a 4-1 win over Canada at the 2022 World Cup, which offers them a little encouragement.
Panama vs Croatia: Quick Answers
What time does Panama vs Croatia kick off?
7pm Eastern in the US and Canada, which is 6pm in Panama City. For UK viewers that is midnight BST, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 24, and 1am in Zagreb.
Is Panama vs Croatia on free TV in the UK?
Yes. The match is live and free on BBC One, with free streaming via BBC iPlayer, though it is a midnight kick-off.
Can I watch Panama vs Croatia free in the US?
Yes. Tubi is streaming it free with no signup. Fox has the English broadcast and Telemundo the Spanish, and it is also on Fox One, Fubo and YouTube TV.
Why is Luka Modric's appearance a milestone?
This is Modric's 200th cap for Croatia, making him only the fourth player in history to reach 200 international appearances, after Cristiano Ronaldo, Bader Al-Mutawa and Lionel Messi. At 40, he is expected to retire after the tournament.
Why is this a must-win game?
Both Panama and Croatia lost their openers and sit bottom of Group L on zero points. With England and Ghana already on three, the loser here is almost certain to be eliminated.
Have Panama and Croatia played before?
No, never, at any level. This is the first ever meeting between the two nations.
Who are the key players?
For Croatia, captain Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Ivan Perisic. For Panama, striker Jose Fajardo, right wing-back Michael Amir Murillo and the pace of Cecilio Waterman.
What is the prediction?
We expect a narrow 2-1 Croatia win. Their quality should edge it, but their shaky defence against England means Panama can find a goal and make it nervy.
Other World Cup 2026 Match Guides
📅 World Cup 2026 Full Schedule & Fixtures →
🏆 World Cup 2026 Groups and All 48 Teams →
