Croatia at the FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA ranking: 11
Group: L
Confederation: UEFA
Coach: Zlatko Dalic
World Cup titles: 0
Best result: Runners-up (2018); Third place (1998, 2022)

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 gathered for pre-tournament preparations starting May 25, with the squad assembling in Rijeka. Two warm-up friendlies are scheduled: against Belgium on June 2 at Rujevica in Rijeka and against Slovenia on June 7 in Varazdin, before the squad travels to its United States base on June 9. Croatia's tournament base camp is located in Alexandria, Virginia, where they will stay at Hotel AKA Alexandria and train at the Episcopal High School sports complex. Ahead of the Belgium friendly, coach Zlatko Dalic confirmed he would start the returning trio of Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol, capping their minutes at around an hour to ease them back into match rhythm; Croatia will use a three-defender system against Belgium and a different shape against Slovenia. Captain Luka Modric, competing at his fifth World Cup at the age of 40, plays wearing a protective mask after surgery on a fractured cheekbone. Croatia open Group L on June 17 against England in Dallas.

Latest news

Dalic clears Kramaric of injury concerns: 'trains normally'

Mon 1 Jun · 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.'

gol.dnevnik.hr · 2026-06-02
vavel.com · 2026-06-02

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

Mon 1 Jun · 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.'

net.hr · 2026-06-02
gol.dnevnik.hr · 2026-06-02

Squad

Player	Position	Club
Dominik Livaković	GK	Dinamo Zagreb
Dominik Kotarski	GK	FC Copenhagen
Ivor Pandur	GK	Hull City
Joško Gvardiol	DF	Manchester City
Duje Ćaleta-Car	DF	Real Sociedad
Josip Šutalo	DF	Ajax
Josip Stanišić	DF	Bayern Munich
Marin Pongračić	DF	Fiorentina
Martin Erlić	DF	Midtjylland
Luka Vušković	DF	Hamburger SV
Luka Modrić	MF	AC Milan
Mateo Kovačić	MF	Manchester City
Mario Pašalić	MF	Atalanta
Nikola Vlašić	MF	Torino
Luka Sučić	MF	Real Sociedad
Martin Baturina	MF	Como
Kristijan Jakić	MF	FC Augsburg
Petar Sučić	MF	Inter Milan
Nikola Moro	MF	Bologna
Toni Fruk	MF	HNK Rijeka
Ivan Perišić	FW	PSV Eindhoven
Andrej Kramarić	FW	TSG Hoffenheim
Ante Budimir	FW	Osasuna
Marco Pašalić	FW	Orlando City
Petar Musa	FW	FC Dallas
Igor Matanović	FW	SC Freiburg