Panama face Croatia in Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, live from Toronto Stadium on June 23, 2026. Here’s how to watch live on TV.
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Location: Toronto Stadium, Toronto, ON
- TV Channels: FOX, Telemundo
How to Watch Panama vs. Croatia on June 23, 2026
You can watch Croatia take on Panama live with DIRECTV on FOX and Telemundo on June 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET.
Panama (0-0-1) vs. Croatia (0-0-1) — Group L Match Preview
Panama meet Croatia at Toronto Stadium in Toronto with both sides sitting on an 0-0-1 record in Group L and badly needing a result. Panama arrive as a CONCACAF group winner who came through qualifying unbeaten, and this is only their second World Cup after a 2018 debut in which Felipe Baloy scored the country’s first goal, while Croatia carry the pedigree of 2018 runners-up and 2022 third-place finishers under Zlatko Dalic
. Panama lean on Jose Fajardo, who scored 3 goals with 1 assist on 37 shots across 10 starts in the Ecuadorian top flight this season, and on Ismael Diaz, the 2025 Gold Cup top scorer. Croatia answer with Luka Modric, the 40-year-old captain playing in his 5th World Cup, behind a veteran core making one last push.
Anibal Godoy anchors the Panama midfield as captain with a record 159 caps, while Josko Gvardiol gives Croatia a ball-playing center back who chipped in 2 goals and 2 assists across 16 Premier League starts this season. Recent form points both ways, with Panama beating the Dominican Republic 4-2 in early June and Croatia falling 2-0 to Belgium in their final tune-up. With Panama having lost 6-1 to England in their first-ever World Cup match in 2018 and drawn into a group with England again, a strong showing here would change the tenor of their second campaign.
National TV
FOX, Telemundo
What Time is the Croatia vs. Panama Match Today?
The Panama vs. Croatia match starts at 7:00 PM ET.
Where Can I Watch Panama vs. Croatia?
You can watch Panama vs. Croatia on FOX and Telemundo.
Players to Watch: Panama vs. Croatia
Panama
Jose Fajardo — Striker. The lead striker scored 3 goals and added 1 assist this season in Ecuador’s LigaPro, working off 37 shots across 10 starts. That volume of attempts marks him as the focal point Panama will look to whenever they break forward.
Ismael Diaz — Forward. Diaz arrives as the 2025 Gold Cup top scorer, the kind of pedigree that defines where Panama’s goal threat comes from. He took 4 shots across 2 starts in recent friendly action, a sign of a player still hunting his range heading into the tournament.
Anibal Godoy — Defensive midfielder. The captain holds a record 159 caps for Panama and sets the tempo from deep. Godoy registered 2 assists across 10 starts in MLS this season, showing he can spring an attack as well as shield the back line.
Croatia
Luka Modric — Midfielder. At age 40 and in his 5th World Cup, the captain remains the heartbeat of this Croatia side. He scored 1 goal across 3 starts in recent friendlies, still pulling the strings for a team built around his vision.
Josko Gvardiol — Center back. Gvardiol is a ball-playing defender whose range carries Croatia from back to front. He produced 2 goals and 2 assists across 16 Premier League starts this season, unusual output for a center back and a weapon on set pieces.
Mateo Kovacic — Midfielder. Kovacic is the midfield controller alongside Modric, dictating possession through the middle third. He logged 1 assist in Premier League action this season, the steadying presence that lets Croatia’s veterans set the rhythm.
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