Italy vs Croatia
Italy vs Croatia preview
Italy vs Croatia is one of the most evenly matched fixtures in Group L. Italy (FIFA #10) face Croatia (#12) on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. With both sides ranked within 2 places of each other, the result is genuinely up for grabs.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (capacity 75,000) is the retractable-roof home of the Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta United (MLS). It sits 320m above sea level in Atlanta. June/July temperatures in Atlanta average a high of 32°C and a low of 21°C, with notable rainfall — relevant context for player workload and broadcast scheduling.
Form context — Italy have appeared at 19 previous FIFA World Cups (last five: DNQ, DNQ, Champions, Group, Runner-up). Croatia have appeared at 7 World Cups (last five: 3rd, Runner-up, R16, R16, Group). The match is officially scheduled by FIFA; kickoff times and venue assignments are confirmed.
Italy vs Croatia — head-to-head profile
Pre-match snapshot of both squads. All values are populated at build time from the World Cup squads dataset and refreshed via the API on match day.
| Metric | Italy | Croatia |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA Ranking | #10 | #12 |
| Confederation | UEFA | UEFA |
| WC appearances | 19 | 7 |
| Best WC finish | Champions (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006) | Runner-up (2018) |
| Last 5 WCs | DNQ, DNQ, Champions, Group, Runner-up | 3rd, Runner-up, R16, R16, Group |
| Captain | Gianluigi Donnarumma | Luka Modrić |
| Manager | Luciano Spalletti | Zlatko Dalić |
| Players to watch | Federico Chiesa, Nicolò Barella, Gianluigi Donnarumma | Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Joško Gvardiol |
Get live Italy vs Croatia data
// Fetch live data for Italy vs Croatia
const response = await fetch(
'https://api.thestatsapi.com/api/football/matches?competition_id={COMPETITION_ID}&date=2026-06-18',
{ headers: { 'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' } }
);
const { data } = await response.json();
// data: [{ id, kickoff_utc, status, score, lineups, events, xg, ... }]Other matches on Jun 18
Other matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Italy vs Croatia at the 2026 World Cup?
Italy vs Croatia is scheduled for Thursday, June 18, 2026, kicking off at Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:00:00 UTC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta.
What stage is Italy vs Croatia?
Italy vs Croatia is a Group Stage fixture in Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What stadium hosts Italy vs Croatia?
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (capacity 75,000, opened 2017, retractable roof, natural grass (laid over turf)) in Atlanta hosts Italy vs Croatia.
Who is favoured to win Italy vs Croatia?
Italy go in as the higher-ranked side at FIFA #10, with Croatia ranked #12. Italy's best World Cup finish is Champions (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006); Croatia's is Runner-up (2018). Live odds for Italy vs Croatia are available via the odds endpoint covering Bet365, Pinnacle, Betfair Exchange, and Kambi.
Where can I watch Italy vs Croatia?
Check your local FIFA broadcast partner for live coverage. Live scores, lineups, in-match events, xG, and odds are also available in real time via TheStatsAPI matches endpoint.
What is the kickoff time for Italy vs Croatia in my timezone?
Italy vs Croatia kicks off at Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:00:00 UTC. Convert it to your local timezone using the kickoff converter on this page — it works without an account.
How can I get live Italy vs Croatia stats via API?
Use TheStatsAPI matches endpoint with competition_id={COMPETITION_ID} and filter by date (2026-06-18) or by match ID to get live scores, lineups, in-match events (goals, cards, substitutions), xG, and per-player stats. Updates land within seconds of the source feed.
Track Italy vs Croatia live via API
Real-time scores, lineups, events, xG, and odds. 7-day free trial.