 Owen endured more injury woes in the win over Austria |
The Newcastle striker went off with a thigh strain in the first half of the 1-0 victory and may be out for a month.
"It's a massive blow," said England manager Steve McClaren.
England will need to beat Croatia or get a draw if results on Saturday between Israel and Russia or Croatia's tie in Macedonia go their way.
If Russia draw in Israel then England will need to beat Croatia but a loss for Russia would see England needing a point on Wednesday at Wembley.
A loss for Croatia would see England needing to beat them by two goals or more to book a place in next summer's finals.
McClaren is already without forward Wayne Rooney with an ankle injury and Owen's absence will leave him short of options up front.
"It was a strange one, it was Michael's standing foot," said McClaren. "He's pulled his thigh and unfortunately he's out."
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch scored the winner in the victory over Austria and would be the most likely to lead the attack.
Jermain Defoe could come into the reckoning or McClaren may opt to play five in midfield with either Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in a more advanced role.
"I do believe we do need to win against Croatia but we go into that game without two centre-halves and two strikers we would pick," added McClaren.
The problems at centre-back see John Terry out with a knee injury while Rio Ferdinand is suspended.
"It's disappointing but I believe and hope that Wednesday will be important.
"I believe there's enough in that dressing room and the squad has enough spirit that we will do it."
But McClaren was buoyed by the performance of Sol Campbell and Joleon Lescott in central defence in Austria as well as the display of Micah Richards when he moved into the middle from right-back.
"In the first half, we got quite a lot out of it," said McClaren. "It was good but we could have scored more.
"The second half disappointed me in some ways. I expected us to go on the attack and get more goals but we were disappointing in the second half.
"But there were plusses. Scott (Carson) kept a clean sheet, Joleon and Sol were formidable and Frank, on his return to the team, was man of the match and rightly so."
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