England face Croatia in Rijeka with Nations League Group A3 lead at stake

Nations League clash in Rijeka

England continue their 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign on Saturday with an away match against Croatia in the city of Rijeka. The Group A3 encounter takes place at the Stadion HNK Rijeka, with kickoff scheduled for 18:00. Manager Thomas Tuchel leads the English team into the fixture looking to build on their early-season international schedule. Forward Harry Kane and his teammates arrived in Croatia aiming to secure their second victory of the current group stage. Matches between England and Croatia remain prominent fixtures in European football.

Standings and permutations in Group A3

The standings in Group A3 are balanced heading into Saturday's matches, with both Croatia and England recording one victory and one defeat in their first two fixtures. A win in Rijeka gives either country the chance to claim first place in the table by the end of the evening. That outcome depends on the result of the group's second fixture between Spain and the Czech Republic, which kicks off at 20:45. If Spain suffer a defeat in their match, the winner of the contest between Croatia and England will move into first place in Group A3. Both sides therefore enter kickoff aware that victory offers direct progression toward the top spot.

England's form and World Cup aftermath

England travel to the Stadion HNK Rijeka in good spirits after securing a 2-0 victory against the Czech Republic on Tuesday. That midweek result followed England's third-place finish at the World Cup earlier in the summer. Thomas Tuchel's side entered the October international window aiming to ensure there is no lasting hangover from that tournament. The squad is seeking consistent form across the 2026/27 Nations League competition as they face a Croatian side with an identical group record. Tuchel and Kane look to build on the defensive and attacking stability shown during Tuesday's shutout win.

UEFA sanctions and stadium atmosphere

Saturday's match is officially scheduled to take place behind closed doors at the Stadion HNK Rijeka as part of a UEFA punishment issued against Croatia. The governing body handed down disciplinary measures linked to sanctions that date back to March 2025. Those penalties followed incidents involving supporters around matches against France during the quarter-finals of the Nations League. Despite the formal UEFA ban on spectators, reports indicate that the stadium could still be almost full during the fixture. The unusual circumstances around attendance add a distinctive environment for both sets of players on Saturday.

Saturday's Group A3 schedule

Group A3 action on Saturday is divided between two separate fixtures scheduled across the evening. Croatia and England begin play first at the Stadion HNK Rijeka at 18:00. Once that match concludes, Spain and the Czech Republic meet in the late kickoff at 20:45. The combined results of both fixtures will establish the updated standings and determine group leadership at the conclusion of the matchday.