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Zlatko Dalić
7
Runners-up (2018)
Croatia topped Group L again and head into 2026 with Modric, Gvardiol and enough tournament memory to remain a dangerous knockout-stage team.
Read full team guide →Pick every match, earn points, and challenge your friends. Predictions lock June 11.
Croatia are back at the World Cup and FIFA's November 2025 qualifying coverage says they confirmed first place in Group L by coming from behind to beat the Faroe Islands 3-1 in Rijeka with a match to spare. At this point, that kind of resilience is not surprising. Croatia continue to look like a country that understands tournament football better than its size should allow.
Defender
Manchester City
Gvardiol is now central to how Croatia defend at elite level and represents the defensive future of the side.
Midfielder
Real Madrid
Even late in his career, Modric remains one of the emotional and technical leaders around whom Croatia's identity still orbits.
Midfielder
Manchester City
Kovacic helps sustain control in midfield and remains a key part of how Croatia manage tempo in big matches.
Forward
Hoffenheim
Kramaric still gives Croatia proven final-third quality and a reliable goalscoring route in tighter games.
Midfielder
Al-Nassr
Brozovic adds the deeper midfield control and bite that keep Croatia from being overrun when matches become tense.
Dominik Livaković
Dinamo Zagreb
Dario Kotarski
Copenhagen
Ivica Pandur
Hull City
Joško Gvardiol
Manchester City
Duje Ćaleta-Car
Real Sociedad
Josip Šutalo
Ajax
Josip Stanišić
Bayern Munich
Marin Pongračić
Fiorentina
Martin Erlić
FC Midtjylland
Luka Vušković
Tottenham Hotspur
Luka Modrić
AC Milan
Mateo Kovačić
Manchester City
Mario Pašalić
Atalanta
Nikola Vlašić
Torino
Luka Sučić
Real Sociedad
Martin Baturina
Como
Kristijan Jakić
Augsburg
Petar Sučić
Inter Milan
Nikola Moro
Bologna
Toni Fruk
Rijeka
Ivan Perišić
PSV Eindhoven
Andrej Kramarić
Hoffenheim
Ante Budimir
Osasuna
Marko Pašalić
Orlando City
Petar Musa
FC Dallas
Igor Matanović
Freiburg
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