Panama vs Croatia — Live Score, How to Watch & Preview

Panama vs Croatia kicks off in GROUP L of the 2026 World Cup. Below you’ll find the live score, the kickoff time in your own timezone, exactly where to watch in every country, the full head-to-head record and the key players to watch.

Match preview

Panama and Croatia meet in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a clash between a Central American underdog and a European powerhouse. Panama, making their second World Cup appearance, rely on a disciplined defensive structure and quick counter-attacks. Their form in CONCACAF qualifying was solid, but they struggled against top-tier opposition. Croatia, semi-finalists in 2022, boast a midfield masterclass led by Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić. Their possession-based style and tactical flexibility make them favorites. Key battle: Panama's physical defense vs Croatia's creative midfield. Panama need a disciplined performance and set-piece efficiency to snatch a point. Croatia aim to control tempo and exploit gaps. Expect Croatia to dominate possession, but Panama's resilience could frustrate them.

Key players to watch

Panama

Ismael Díaz (Universidad Católica) — The winger's pace and dribbling are Panama's main threat on the break.
Aníbal Godoy (Nashville SC) — Veteran defensive midfielder crucial for breaking up play and shielding the backline.
José Fajardo (Cienciano) — Target man capable of holding up the ball and finishing from crosses.

Croatia

Luka Modrić (Real Madrid) — The 40-year-old maestro still dictates tempo and creates chances from midfield.
Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim) — Versatile forward with sharp movement and finishing ability.
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) — Rock-solid defender who also contributes to build-up play.

How to watch Panama vs Croatia — by country

Kickoff is … in your local time. Here’s the official broadcaster and stream in each country:

Australia

Australia: SBS has exclusive rights and is keeping the whole tournament free. All 104 matches air live and free on SBS, SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand — no subscription needed.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh: A consortium of state broadcaster BTV, T Sports and Star News has secured the rights (confirmed days before kickoff after an earlier deal collapsed). Matches air live on BTV (free-to-air), with T Sports and Star News on cable and the T Sports app/website for streaming. As terms were only just finalised, confirm exact channel splits with local listings.

Brazil

Brazil: Grupo Globo carries every Brazil match, the final and half the remaining games across TV Globo, SporTV and Globoplay. CazéTV streams all 104 matches live and free in 4K on YouTube, and free-to-air channel SBT shows a selection including Brazil games and knockouts. Easiest free option: CazéTV on YouTube.

Canada

Canada: Bell Media is the official broadcaster. All 104 matches air on TSN (English) and RDS (French) via cable, with select games — including Canada's matches, the opener and the final — free over the air on CTV. Stream on TSN+, the RDS app, or Crave.

Germany

Germany: Deutsche Telekom''s MagentaTV holds rights to all 104 matches (44 exclusive), requiring a subscription. ARD and ZDF each show 30 matches free-to-air — including all Germany games, the opening match, semi-finals and final — on TV and their online streams.

India

India: Zee Entertainment holds the official rights. All 104 matches air on the new Unite8 Sports 1/1 HD (Hindi) and Unite8 Sports 2/2 HD (English) TV channels, and stream on ZEE5 (paid subscription, from about Rs 799 for 3 months). There is no free-to-air option, so a ZEE5 plan or a TV pack carrying Unite8 Sports is needed.

FAQ

When is Panama vs Croatia?

Tue, Jun 23 at 11:00 PM UTC — shown in your local time on this page — in GROUP L of the 2026 World Cup.

How can I watch Panama vs Croatia?

Through the official 2026 World Cup broadcaster in your country — for example BBC/ITV (UK, free), Fox & Telemundo (USA), beIN Sports (Middle East), SBS (Australia, free). See the full country-by-country guide on this page.