Panama vs Croatia: prediction & betting odds 24 June 2026

Form and Line-up Panama

In the first round, Panama were handed Ghana (0:1) as opponents, and a win over them would have allowed the team to compete for a place in the knockout stage, but fate had other ideas. That match clearly showed the main weakness of Thomas Christiansen's team - an inability to play with the ball at their feet. They turned 62% possession into a grim 0.74 xG and four shots on target.

The system with doubled-up flanks also failed completely, as the wing-backs came into the tournament in dreadful form. Rodriguez did not complete a single dribble (zero from four attempts) and also lost seven of his eight duels. Martinez did not attempt a dribble at all, sent in three aimless crosses and, on top of that, collapsed defensively, where he was beaten three times.

The defending is a separate story altogether. Practically every extended spell of possession in the opposition half turned into a counterattack because the wing-backs did not have time to get back. To be fair, had Ghana been a little sharper and at full strength, they could have scored far more.

Key Numbers Panama:

• They have conceded in each of their eight matches in 2026.

• Just two wins in eight matches.

• They have lost each of their four matches at World Cups.

Probable Panama line-up

(3-4-3): Orlando Mosquera - Jiovany Ramos, Andres Andrade, Jose Cordoba - Michael Amir Murillo, Yoel Barcenas, Carlos Harvey, Cesar Blackman - Jose Luis Rodriguez, Cristian Martinez, Cecilio Waterman.

Form and Line-up Croatia

After bronze in Qatar, nobody expected a sparkling performance from Croatia, as the key players are not getting any younger. As the first match showed, a deep run into the playoffs is certainly not to be expected. Zlatko Dalic's team have always relied on defence, but right now that is their Achilles' heel.

England consistently broke into counterattacks, found space behind the defenders and threatened from set pieces. In short, they created chances in every possible way. The young Vuskovic, Gvardiol and Sutalo need cover from the flanks, but that is where the second problem makes itself felt - age. Perisic, at 37, cannot work the entire flank, while Stanisic gets lost because of unfamiliar forward runs.

The only bright spot was the Italian-based duo of Baturina and Sucic, who repeatedly got away towards the opposition goal and even created the first goal. But running into open spaces is one thing; breaking down a low block is another. Budimir could have helped with that, but Dalic seems to have completely lost faith in the forward: he left him on the bench in the first round and used him for an average of half an hour in the friendlies.

Key Numbers Croatia:

• In five matches in 2026, they have two wins and three defeats.

• They scored twice in each of their last two games.

• They have taken part in the World Cup six times and failed to get out of the group three times.

Probable Croatia line-up

(3-4-3): Dominik Livakovic - Josip Sutalo, Luka Vuskovic, Josko Gvardiol - Josip Stanisic, Mario Pasalic, Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic - Petar Sucic, Martin Baturina, Petar Musa.

Who will referee the match

Pierre Atcho (Gabon)

Matches – 8 (International matches, 2025-2026);

Average fouls per match – 26;

Average Y/C per match (including second yellows) – 3.3;

Matches with R/C – 2 out of 8;

Matches with penalties – 0 out of 8.