Overview
- Croatia will face England to open their 2026 World Cup in Dallas on June 17 in Group L.
- Josko Gvardiol said light teasing at Manchester City is likely to pick up closer to the tournament.
- The matchup could pit Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic against club teammates such as Phil Foden, John Stones and Nico O'Reilly.
- Gvardiol noted he has already spoken with Kalvin Phillips and recalled meeting him in the Euro 2020 opener.
- Croatia's cautious approach follows reaching the 2018 final and the 2022 semifinals despite the nation's small population.