Croatia at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

Croatia made their World Cup debut in 1998 and immediately finished third, with Davor Suker winning the Golden Boot with six goals. They failed to progress beyond the group stage in 2002 and 2006, and did not qualify in 2010. After returning in 2014 with a group-stage exit, Croatia had their greatest tournament in 2018 under Zlatko Dalic, reaching the final where they lost 4-2 to France. They finished third again in 2022, defeating Morocco 2-1 in the third-place play-off in Doha. Croatia have participated in six World Cups in total, collecting two bronze medals and one silver, making them one of the most successful smaller nations in tournament history.

Qualification

Croatia qualified for the 2026 World Cup by winning UEFA qualifying Group L, finishing with seven wins and one draw from eight matches (their only dropped points were a goalless draw away against Czechia). They clinched qualification with a decisive 3-1 home victory over the Faroe Islands, ensuring they topped the group ahead of Czechia. Head coach Zlatko Dalic, who has led the national team since October 2017, guided yet another smooth qualifying campaign as Croatia booked their seventh World Cup appearance.

Preparation

Croatia completed a pre-tournament camp in Rijeka, lost 0-2 to Belgium on June 2, closed preparations with a 2-1 win over Slovenia on June 7, then flew to their US base camp in Alexandria, Virginia. In Group L they lost 4-2 to England (June 17, Dallas) before beating Panama 1-0 (June 23, BMO Field, Toronto) via Ante Budimir's 54th-minute substitute goal. Luka Modric earned his historic 200th Croatia cap in the Panama match. Croatia then beat Ghana 2-1 on June 27 (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia): Petar Sučić (31') and Nikola Vlašić (83', header from Modrić corner) scored, with Luckassen equalizing in the 73rd for Ghana. Croatia advanced as Group L runners-up (W2D0L1, 6 pts) behind England (7 pts). Croatia's tournament ended in the Round of 32 on July 2 in Toronto, losing 2-1 to Portugal: Ivan Perisic put Croatia ahead in the 53rd, Cristiano Ronaldo equalized from the penalty spot in the 68th, and Goncalo Ramos headed a stoppage-time (90+4') winner from a Rafael Leao cross. Josko Gvardiol had a 113th-minute equalizer disallowed for offside after VAR review, and a Luka Sucic goal was also ruled out for an offside on the Matanovic assist; Kovacic hit the post twice. It was likely Luka Modric's final World Cup appearance. Portugal advanced to face Spain.

Latest news

Croatia eliminated by Portugal 2-1 in Round of 32 after disallowed Gvardiol equalizer

· matches

Croatia lost 2-1 to Portugal in Toronto: Perisic scored (53'), Ronaldo equalized from the spot (68') after Vlasic fouled Veiga, and Ramos headed a stoppage-time winner (90+4') from a Leao cross. A 113th-minute Gvardiol equalizer was disallowed for offside on VAR review, as was a Sucic goal on the Matanovic build-up; Kovacic hit the post twice. Portugal advance to face Spain.

Dalic criticizes VAR after elimination, says 'end of a beautiful era' but Croatia has foundation for future

· general

After the loss, Dalic called the refereeing 'definitely very poor,' said 'nothing went our way,' and argued VAR 'kills emotions' and Croatia 'lost' but 'didn't deserve' such a defeat. He called it 'the end of a beautiful era,' with 'new beginnings' built on young talent, though repeating past medals will be hard. Coaching future undecided; likely Modric's final World Cup appearance.

Modrić becomes oldest World Cup assister since 1966 with corner delivery vs Ghana

· squad

At 40 years and 291 days, Luka Modrić delivered the corner from which Nikola Vlašić headed Croatia's 83rd-minute winner against Ghana, making him the oldest player on record (since 1966) to provide a World Cup assist, per Sky Sports.

Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 to advance from Group L as runners-up behind England

· matches

Petar Sučić opened with a long-range 31st-minute strike (assisted by Kovačić), Ghana equalized through Luckassen (73', VAR-confirmed), then Vlašić headed in Modrić's corner in the 83rd to seal it. Croatia finish Group L second (W2D0L1, 6 pts) behind England (7 pts). They face Portugal in the Round of 32 on July 2 at BMO Field, Toronto.

Modric becomes first Croatia man to reach 200 caps in Panama win

· squad

Luka Modric started and played until the 81st minute against Panama at BMO Field, earning his 200th international cap and becoming the first Croatian male player to reach the milestone. Croatia teammates wore black T-shirts bearing his image reading '200' in gold (zeros styled as the infinity symbol) for a pre-match lap. Modric completed 69 of 78 passes (88.5%) and created one big chance.

Croatia beat Panama 1-0 through Budimir substitute goal to stay in World Cup

· matches

Ante Budimir, brought on at half-time, converted Josip Stanisic's low cross at the far post in the 54th minute for Croatia's 1-0 win at BMO Field, Toronto. Livaković made three saves, including tipping a header onto the bar. Panama are eliminated; Croatia move to 3 points, trailing Ghana on 4. Croatia face Ghana on June 27 in Philadelphia needing a win to guarantee progress.

Dalic surprised by Croatia's struggle vs Panama: 'not happy with our play, especially first half'

· matches

Post-match Zlatko Dalic said: 'I didn't expect that it was going to be such a difficult match. We really needed to get these three points to move on. I am not the happiest with our play, especially in the first half.' He added that Croatia must improve ahead of their decisive clash with Ghana: 'Now we should gain confidence and it will be easier.'

Modric set to earn historic 200th Croatia cap against Panama on June 23

· squad

Luka Modric earned his 199th international cap in the 4-2 defeat to England, meaning the June 23 Group L match against Panama at BMO Field in Toronto will be his 200th appearance for Croatia. The 40-year-old AC Milan midfielder and captain is making his fifth World Cup appearance.

Dalic switches to four-man defence and starts Budimir vs Panama; 'no injuries' in camp

· matches

Coach Dalic confirmed Croatia return to a four-man defensive line for the must-win Group L clash vs Panama (June 23, Toronto), abandoning the 3-4-3 used against England. Ante Budimir starts as centre-forward in place of Petar Musa. No injuries reported. Dalic warned against pessimism: 'an atmosphere of pessimism would not help a team that still has two group matches.'

Dalic: Croatia must 'forget England' and focus on Panama

· matches

After the 4-2 loss to England, Dalic said Croatia must 'forget what was and turn our attention to Panama,' insisting 'we will not stop believing.' He described England as 'the better side - faster, stronger and better organized' and called Croatia's set-piece defending 'the worst of his tenure,' saying the team will work specifically on this aspect before facing Panama.

Dalic: Croatia 'have no right to any more mistakes' after 4-2 defeat to England

· matches

After Croatia's 4-2 Group L loss to England in Dallas, coach Zlatko Dalic said: 'It's not easy to lose. You lose your self-confidence, and that's not good.' He called the set-piece defending 'disastrous' - 'About 40% of their goals are from set pieces' - and warned: 'We do not have the right to any more mistakes.' He confirmed a tactical revert to 4-2-3-1 for Panama and Ghana.

Croatia beaten 4-2 by England in World Cup opener; Baturina and Musa score

· matches

Croatia lost 4-2 to England (AT&T Stadium, Arlington, 70,389 fans) in their Group L opener. Martin Baturina (36') and Petar Musa (45+5') pulled Croatia level twice, but England goals from Kane (12' pen, 42'), Bellingham (47') and Rashford (85') sealed it. Modric (199th cap, protective mask) captained and was replaced by Kovacic at 58'. Croatia lined up in a 3-4-3.

HNS opens three official 'Vatrena Zone' fan zones across Croatia for the World Cup

· general

HNS announced three official Vatrena Zone fan venues: an outdoor free-entry zone on Zagreb's Cvjetni Square opening June 17 with a large LED screen, plus indoor air-conditioned venues at Tvornica Kulture in Zagreb and Pogon in Rijeka. All three host match-day programmes with live music, partner activations and competitions throughout Croatia's campaign.

Croatia land in the United States and settle into Alexandria base camp

· general

Croatia arrived in the US, their charter from Zagreb touching down at Washington Dulles and the squad led by Luka Modric greeted by hundreds of fans. They are based in Alexandria, Virginia, at the AKA Alexandria hotel and training at Episcopal High School, chosen for a quieter environment after the federation reviewed more than 60 options. Croatia open against England in Dallas on June 17.

Modric strike and Pasalic stoppage-time winner give Croatia 2-1 over Slovenia in final warm-up

· matches

Croatia closed their preparations with a 2-1 win over Slovenia in Varazdin. Luka Modric put them ahead just after half-time, set up by Ivan Perisic, in what was billed as possibly his last home international; Andraz Sporar equalised in the 83rd minute before Mario Pasalic struck in stoppage time. Dalic used the 4-2-3-1 he plans for Ghana and Panama, making five changes from the Belgium defeat.

Dalic switches to 4-2-3-1 for Slovenia send-off; clean injury bill from Rijeka camp

· general

On the eve of Croatia's final warm-up vs Slovenia (June 7, Varazdin), Dalic said he was 'very satisfied' with the Rijeka camp and confirmed a switch to 4-2-3-1: 'We're changing the system.' He plans the same attacking shape for Ghana and Panama, keeping a 3-4-2-1 back three for stronger sides like England. The friendlies eased Kovacic, Modric and Gvardiol back to fitness; nobody was hurt in camp.

Croatia lose 0-2 to Belgium in Rijeka warm-up as Dalic tests 3-4-2-1

· matches

Croatia lost their first pre-World Cup friendly 2-0 to Belgium at Stadion HNK Rijeka (Tielemans 38', Lukaku 90'+). Dalic tested a tournament-bound 3-4-2-1 back three of Sutalo, Vuskovic and Gvardiol. Returning trio capped around the hour: Modric (captain, protective mask) ~58', Gvardiol just under, Kovacic on it. He cited first-half positives, flagged finishing. Next: Slovenia, Varazdin, June 7.

Dalic clears Kramaric of injury concerns: 'trains normally'

· injuries

Ahead of the Belgium friendly, coach Zlatko Dalic addressed media speculation that Andrej Kramaric was carrying adductor and abdominal problems from late in the club season, saying the Hoffenheim forward 'hasn't complained about anything' and 'trains normally.'

Dalic to start returning trio Modric, Kovacic and Gvardiol vs Belgium

· squad

Before Croatia's June 2 warm-up against Belgium in Rijeka, Zlatko Dalic confirmed Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol would all start in a three-defender system. He said the trio are 'not in rhythm' and would play a maximum of one hour: 'I don't want to overload them, but I must get them back into match rhythm.' Modric plays wearing a protective mask but is 'ready.'

Squad

PlayerPositionClub
Dominik LivakovićGKDinamo Zagreb
Dominik KotarskiGKFC Copenhagen
Ivor PandurGKHull City
Joško GvardiolDFManchester City
Duje Ćaleta-CarDFReal Sociedad
Josip ŠutaloDFAjax
Josip StanišićDFBayern Munich
Marin PongračićDFFiorentina
Martin ErlićDFMidtjylland
Luka VuškovićDFHamburger SV
Luka ModrićMFAC Milan
Mateo KovačićMFManchester City
Mario PašalićMFAtalanta
Nikola VlašićMFTorino
Luka SučićMFReal Sociedad
Martin BaturinaMFComo
Kristijan JakićMFFC Augsburg
Petar SučićMFInter Milan
Nikola MoroMFBologna
Toni FrukMFHNK Rijeka
Ivan PerišićFWPSV Eindhoven
Andrej KramarićFWTSG Hoffenheim
Ante BudimirFWOsasuna
Marco PašalićFWOrlando City
Petar MusaFWFC Dallas
Igor MatanovićFWSC Freiburg

Recent results

  • 2024-06-03 — CRO 3-0 MKD (friendly)
  • 2024-06-08 — POR 1-2 CRO (friendly)
  • 2025-06-06 — GIB 0-7 CRO (qualification)
  • 2025-06-09 — CRO 5-1 CZE (qualification)
  • 2025-09-05 — FRO 0-1 CRO (qualification)
  • 2025-09-08 — CRO 4-0 MNE (qualification)
  • 2025-10-09 — CZE 0-0 CRO (qualification)
  • 2025-10-12 — CRO 3-0 GIB (qualification)
  • 2025-11-14 — CRO 3-1 FRO (qualification)
  • 2025-11-17 — MNE 2-3 CRO (qualification)
  • 2026-03-26 — COL 1-2 CRO (friendly)
  • 2026-03-31 — BRA 3-1 CRO (friendly)
  • 2026-06-02 — CRO 0-2 BEL (friendly)
  • 2026-06-07 — CRO 2-1 SVN (friendly)
  • 2026-06-17 — ENG 4-2 CRO (group)
  • 2026-06-23 — PAN 0-1 CRO (group)
  • 2026-06-27 — CRO 2-1 GHA (group)
  • 2026-07-02 — POR 2-1 CRO (round_of_32)

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