Harry Kane arrives at the World Cup in sensational form, having netted 61 goals in 51 matches across all competitions for Bayern Munich last season. Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic is keenly aware of the threat posed by the England captain.

"They have the best striker in the world; Kane can do an incredible amount," Dalic remarked. "We will strive not only to defend but also to attack and push forward.

"Set pieces will be challenging, but we are fully prepared for that. I anticipate a thrilling match, which will serve as excellent preparation for our upcoming group games."

Kane's former Tottenham Hotspur teammate, Luka Modric, remains integral to the Croatian squad, and the 40-year-old will be making his 199th appearance for his nation on Wednesday.

"He means a great deal to us, both as our captain and as a person," Dalic stated, praising the AC Milan midfielder. "He is my right hand on the pitch.

"Having several experienced players alongside Luka is invaluable for guiding the younger members of the team, enabling them to achieve remarkable things.

"They are fortunate to have Luka as a role model, demonstrating the commitment required to wear the national team jersey, and we are lucky to still have him with us."

Modric and Dalic have been pivotal to Croatia's achievements in the last two World Cups.

The nation reached the finals in 2018, overcoming England in the semi-finals, and advanced to the last four in 2022, only to be defeated by eventual champions Argentina.

"That’s part of our history," Dalic reflected on his team’s past performance at the tournament. "However, we cannot dwell on history; this is a new tournament with new matches, and we aim to make our mark."

"Our expectations are high, and everyone is looking to us for great results. This wasn’t always the case, but we are prepared for the challenge ahead.

"What lies behind us is history; it is recorded, but we are ready to face these significant expectations and present ourselves in the best possible light.

"We came very close in the last two World Cups, and nobody anticipated that. Our primary goal now is to progress beyond the group stage."

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