Panama vs Croatia prediction 24.06.2026 | World Cup

Panama prepares for this one on the back of a heartbreaking 1-0 opening-match defeat against Ghana.

Los Canaleros completely fell apart offensively during the second half of that clash, extending their agonizing World Cup losing streak to four consecutive matches dating back to their tournament debut in 2018.

Thomas Christiansen’s men must drastically improve their finishing if they want to keep their hopes of knockout stage football alive.

The tactical setup relies heavily on key forward Ismael Díaz, who established himself as a lethal international force after finishing as the clinical top scorer of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup with six goals.

However, the creative flow remains severely compromised by the noticeable absence of star central midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla, who has been struggling for match fitness following a poorly timed adductor tear.

Croatia enters this one on the back of a defensive collapse following a 4-2 opening-match defeat against England.

The Vatreni looked uncharacteristically vulnerable at the back during that punishing encounter, marking their third defeat in four matches.

Zlatko Dalić's men have now shipped two or more goals in four consecutive games and will be looking to avoid an early tournament exit with a win on Tuesday.

The European heavyweights will lean heavily on talismanic veteran Luka Modrić, whose world-class vision dictates the game's flow and elevates his team under pressure.

However, the defensive unit remains significantly altered by a noticeable absentee, as experienced center-back Domagoj Vida was left out of the final 26-man tournament roster by the coaching staff due to a sharp decline in club form.