Croatia at World Cup 2026
Third and second in the last two World Cups, Modrić at 40, and a generation of midfielders looking to send their captain off with one more deep tournament run.
Country & Team Background
The most consistent over-performer in football
Croatia have a population of 3.8 million people and have reached the final of one World Cup, the semi-final of another, and the third-place match at a third — all in the past eight years. No nation of comparable size has been more consistently elite at the international level. The Vatreni qualified for 2026 by topping UEFA Group L with seven wins from eight, scoring 27 goals and conceding only one (a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic).
This is a transitional squad with a permanent core. Luka Modrić, now playing his football at AC Milan after leaving Real Madrid in summer 2025, is 40 years old and has confirmed this is almost certainly his last tournament. Around him, Mateo Kovačić anchors the midfield, Joško Gvardiol is one of the world’s best left-backs, and Andrej Kramarić is still the senior reference point in the box. The youth lift comes from 18-year-old defender Luka Vušković, who broke into the senior squad in 2025 after a standout season in Belgium.
“This feels like it will be Modrić’s last international tournament, yet we’ve been saying that for years and it never seems to come true. As long as he is fit, Croatia have a path through any group.”
Latest Squad
Dalić’s settled core — March 2026
Below is the spine that came through the qualifying campaign and the March international window.
Coach — Zlatko Dalić
In charge since 2017, Dalić is now the longest-serving Croatia manager. He took the job after they had failed to win their opening qualifier against Ukraine and was kept on only conditionally — then took the Vatreni to the 2018 World Cup final. Two more deep runs followed: third place in 2022 and a Nations League final in 2023. His brand of football is patient, possession-based, and built around the late-30s midfield holding the ball longer than anyone else in the tournament. Confirmed to remain in charge through 2026, with his contract reviewed afterwards.
Strengths & Weaknesses
What Croatia can — and cannot — do
Strengths
- Midfield control. Modrić-Kovačić-Brozović remains arguably the best three-man midfield in international football.
- Big-game temperament. Won three penalty shoot-outs en route to the 2018 final and another in 2022. Calmness under tournament pressure is unmatched.
- Gvardiol at left-back. One of the world’s best at his position; gives Dalić tactical flexibility on the left flank.
- Set-piece organisation. Conceded only one goal in eight qualifying matches — the lowest in UEFA qualification.
Weaknesses
- Age in midfield. Modrić (40), Brozović (33) and Perišić (37) — Croatia’s spine is older than any other contender.
- Pace through the middle. Loss of athleticism between the lines means transitions favour the opposition.
- Centre-forward question. Kramarić and Budimir are reliable but not elite; goals from open play remain a concern.
- Recent friendly form. A March Nations League semi-final loss to France on penalties hinted at the same old vulnerabilities.
Tactical Profile
How Croatia play — attack and defence
Attacking shape
4-3-3 in possession, frequently morphing into a 3-2-5 with Gvardiol stepping into a back three and the right-back pushing higher. Modrić is the conductor between the lines, Kovačić drives ball-carrying runs, and Brozović sits as the deepest pivot. Kramarić plays as a false-9, dropping into the half-space to create overloads. Threat is built patiently — Croatia rarely concede possession and accept the trade-off of slower transitions.
Defending shape
4-1-4-1 mid-block out of possession. The Vatreni do not press high; instead they invite the ball to come to them and squeeze the space when it crosses halfway. Brozović is the defensive screen, Gvardiol covers behind the line, and the wide forwards tuck inside to deny central passes. This is a tournament team that knows how to defend a 1-0 lead better than almost anyone else in the field.
Road to 2026
How Croatia qualified
Croatia topped UEFA Group L with 22 points from 8 matches — seven wins, one draw, only one goal conceded. Highlights included a 4-0 home win over the Faroe Islands, a 7-0 demolition of Gibraltar, and a hard-fought 0-0 draw away in the Czech Republic that effectively sealed top spot in October 2025. Modrić scored four times across qualifying despite his age; Kramarić finished as the Group L joint-top scorer with eight.
The pre-tournament barometer is the Nations League. Croatia reached the semi-final stage in the 2024-25 cycle, losing to France on penalties in March 2025 — a tight, even contest that ended with the Vatreni dominating possession but unable to convert. The friendly window in March 2026 brought wins over Cyprus and Iceland and a managed draw away in Slovenia. The squad arrives in form, fit, and with realistic semi-final ambition.
Group L Schedule
Croatia’s group-stage fixtures
Probability to Win
Realistic outcome bands
Croatia sit in the second tier of contenders with title odds around +3000. Group L is competitive — England are co-favourites, but Croatia’s tournament temperament typically lifts them above their FIFA-ranking baseline.
Best Player at the Team
The match-winner
Luka Modrić
The 2018 World Cup Golden Ball winner enters his fourth and final tournament at 40 years old, fit and selected as a regular starter for AC Milan in his first Serie A season. The story is no longer about whether Modrić plays — it’s about how Dalić manages his minutes across seven possible matches. If he is fresh for the round of 16 and quarter-final, Croatia have a player capable of dictating any midfield in the field. His final tournament is also Croatia’s most realistic chance to win one before the next cycle reset.
Dive Deeper
Read more from our World Cup 2026 coverage
For full team-by-team analysis, group-stage projections and our latest title odds, browse the full World Cup 2026 teams hub. Two analyses our readers are working through this week: