Panama vs Croatia FIFA World Cup 2026: Kick-off time, live streaming, squads
Synopsis
Croatia and Panama meet for the first time ever in a must-win FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L clash at BMO Field, Toronto on 24 June. Both teams lost their openers — Croatia 4-2 to England, Panama 1-0 to Ghana — making this a virtual knockout. Indian fans can catch the 4:30 AM IST kick-off on Zee5 and Unite8 Sports channels.
Key Takeaways
Croatia vs Panama kicks off at 4:30 AM IST on Wednesday, 24 June at BMO Field, Toronto .
Both sides lost their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L openers — Croatia 4-2 to England, Panama 1-0 to Ghana.
It is the first-ever competitive meeting between Croatia and Panama.
Indian viewers can stream live on Zee5 (subscription required) or watch on Unite8 Sports 1/2 and their HD counterparts.
Referee for the match is Pierre Atcho .
Croatia and Panama collide in a high-stakes FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L fixture at BMO Field, Toronto, Canada on Wednesday, 24 June, with kick-off set for 4:30 AM IST. Both teams opened the tournament with defeats and enter this contest knowing a second consecutive loss would effectively end their knockout-stage hopes. It is, notably, the first competitive meeting between the two nations.
Match Context and What Is at Stake
Croatia opened their campaign against tournament favourites England, falling 4-2 despite drawing level twice in an entertaining first half. Zlatko Dalić's side displayed the resilience that propelled them to the semifinals in the previous two World Cups, but defensive vulnerabilities against one of the competition's strongest attacks proved decisive.
Panama, under coach Thomas Christiansen, were unfortunate in their opener against Ghana. The Central Americans matched the Black Stars for long periods through disciplined pressing and composed possession play, only to concede a late goal that handed Ghana a narrow 1-0 win. The defeat was particularly hard to take for a squad that impressed through qualification and is eager to register its first-ever World Cup point.
Croatia's Pedigree vs Panama's Ambition
Croatia's record at the World Cup is formidable on paper — past victories over heavyweights such as Argentina and Brazil stand as testament to their big-game capability. However, the current generation has shown limitations against elite opposition, with losses to England, Brazil, and Belgium in recent tournaments raising questions about depth and defensive solidity.
Experience remains Croatia's most potent weapon. The midfield axis anchored by Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic gives them a technical edge Panama will need to neutralise. For Panama, this match represents a genuine opportunity to announce themselves on football's biggest stage.
How to Watch Panama vs Croatia Live in India
Indian football fans can follow the match through the following platforms:
Live Streaming: Zee5 platform and app (subscription required).
Live Telecast: Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV channels.
Key Match Details
Date and Kick-off: Wednesday, 24 June, 4:30 AM IST
Venue: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
Referee: Pierre Atcho
Full Squads
Panama Squad
Goalkeepers: Orlando Mosquera, Luis Mejia, Cesar Samudio
Defenders: Cesar Blackman, Jorge Gutierrez, Amir Murillo, Fidel Escobar, Andres Andrade, Edgardo Farina, Jose Cordoba, Eric Davis, Jiovani Ramos, Roderick Miller
Midfielders: Aníbal Godoy, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Carlos Harvey, Cristian Martínez, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Cesar Yanis, Yoel Barcenas, Alberto Quintero, Azarias Londono
Forwards: Ismael Diaz, Cecilio Waterman, Jose Fajardo, Tomas Rodrigue
Croatia Squad
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Ivor Pandur, Dominik Kotarski
Defenders: Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Sutalo, Luka Vuskovic, Martin Erlic
Midfielders: Nikola Moro, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Nikola Vlasic, Mario Pasalic, Martin Baturina, Petar Sucic, Kristijan Jakic, Toni Fruk, Luka Sucic
Forwards: Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir, Ivan Perisic, Igor Matanovic, Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa
With both sides desperate for points, Tuesday's clash at BMO Field promises to be one of the more compelling Group L encounters — and the result could reshape the group standings entirely before the final matchday.
Point of View
But the current squad is thinner than the 2018 and 2022 vintage, and a 4-2 opening defeat to England is not a result you can paper over with pedigree. Panama, meanwhile, have consistently punched above their weight in qualification but have yet to translate that into World Cup points. The first-ever meeting between these sides carries genuine tactical intrigue: can Panama's pressing system disrupt Croatia's Modric-Kovacic axis the way England's pace did? If Croatia drop points here, questions about Dalić's squad selection — particularly defensive depth — will intensify sharply.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Panama vs Croatia FIFA World Cup 2026 match?
The Panama vs Croatia Group L match is scheduled for Wednesday, 24 June, with kick-off at 4:30 AM IST. The venue is BMO Field in Toronto, Canada.
Where can Indian fans watch Panama vs Croatia live?
Indian fans can stream the match live on the Zee5 platform and app (subscription required). Live telecast is available on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV channels.
What happened in Croatia and Panama's opening World Cup matches?
Croatia lost 4-2 to England in their Group L opener despite drawing level twice in the first half. Panama were beaten 1-0 by Ghana after conceding a late goal despite a competitive performance throughout.
Have Croatia and Panama ever played each other before?
No. The 24 June fixture at BMO Field, Toronto is the first-ever competitive meeting between Croatia and Panama at any level.
Who are the key players to watch in Panama vs Croatia?
Croatia's midfield pair of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic will be central to their build-up play, while Andrej Kramaric leads the attack. For Panama, Adalberto Carrasquilla drives their midfield press and Cecilio Waterman provides pace up front.
