Croatia's squad list for the 2026 World Cup.
Croatia has consistently demonstrated its superior class in international football tournaments. The Balkan team has reached the semi-finals in half of the World Cups they have participated in, including third place in France 1998, runner-up in Russia 2018, and third place in Qatar 2022.
Croatia is one of the greatest success stories in modern world football. The team finished third in their first World Cup appearance in France in 1998 – a miraculous achievement for a newly independent nation.
Twenty years later, Croatia continued its remarkable run by reaching the 2018 World Cup final in Russia, only losing to France in the final match. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, this Balkan team once again secured third place – demonstrating that this was no coincidence but a testament to their class, proven over generations.
In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, coach Zlatko Dalic's team easily topped their European group with 7 wins and 1 draw in 8 matches. Croatia entered the World Cup held in North America with a desire to continue making a big impact.
Preliminary list of the Croatian national team for the 2026 World Cup.
Goalkeepers (4 players):Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Dominik Kotarski (Kobenhavn), Ivor Pandur (Hull City), Karlo Letica (Lausanne-Sport).
Defenders (8 players):Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Sutalo (Ajax), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina), Martin Erlic (Midtjylland), Luka Vuskovic (Hamburger SV), Ivan Smolcic (Como).
Midfielders (13 players):Luka Modric (Milan), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Luka Sucic (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakic (Augsburg), Petar Sucic (Inter Milan), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka), Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg), Adrian Segecic (Portsmouth), Luka Stojkovic (Dinamo Zagreb).
Forwards (8 players):Ivan Perisic (PSV Eindhoven), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Orlando City), Petar Musa (Dallas), Igor Matanovic (Freiburg), Franjo Ivanovic (Benfica), Dion Drena Beljo (Dinamo Zagreb).
Notable stars of Croatia
Captain Luka Modric remains the heart of Croatia's midfield despite being in the twilight of his career. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner currently plays for AC Milan and will continue to be the orchestrator leading the team's play.
Alongside Modric, the defense features star Josko Gvardiol – a center-back currently playing for Manchester City and considered one of the best young defenders in the world today. The midfield also boasts Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City) and Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), forming a trio of technically gifted players.
The attacking line-up features many experienced players such as Ivan Perisic (PSV Eindhoven), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), and Ante Budimir (Osasuna). This is a versatile squad capable of creating breakthroughs in any situation.
Croatia's World Cup 2026 group stage schedule
At the 2026 World Cup finals, the Croatian national team will play three group stage matches according to the following schedule (local time):
June 17th, 3:00 PM (US Central Time):England vs Croatia - Arlington Stadium, Texas (USA).
June 23rd, 7:00 PM (Eastern Time):Panama vs Croatia - Toronto Stadium (Canada).
June 27th, 5:00 PM (Eastern Time):Croatia vs Ghana - Philadelphia Stadium, Pennsylvania (USA).
