The Croatian national football team, known as the Vatreni (The Blazers), head to the WC 2026 as 2018 finalists and 2022 bronze medalists, with Luka Modric at his sixth the tournament. Drawn in Group L alongside England, Ghana, Panama, Croatia will look to make their mark on the tournament. With the expanded 48-team format offering more opportunities than ever before, Croatia will be looking to take full advantage. The competition kicks off on 11 June and runs through 19 July across 16 stadiums in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
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How Croatia Qualified for WC 2026
Croatia qualified through the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group D, finishing in 2nd with 16 points (5-1-2). Croatia secured their spot on the final day of group stage qualifying with a win over Armenia, after Wales drew with Armenia, which helped Croatia's chances.
The qualifying campaign demonstrated the squad's resilience and competitive spirit. Under coach Zlatko Dalić, Croatia showed they have the quality to compete on the world stage. The HNS has invested in developing talent at all levels, and this the tournament represents the culmination of that work.
"Qualifying for the tournament was our primary objective. Now we want to show the world what Croatian football is all about."
- Zlatko Dalić
Croatia's journey to the tournament reflects the growing competitiveness of international football. With the expanded 48-team format providing more places than ever, the tournament in North America represents an opportunity for Croatia to showcase their talent against the very best in the world. The team's supporters will be hoping for memorable performances across the group stage.
The qualification was a significant milestone for the Hrvatski nogometni savez (Croatian Football Federation). Playing in the UEFA confederation, Croatia demonstrated they have the quality and depth to compete on the biggest stage in world football.
Bet on Croatia at the WC 2026
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Croatia to Win WC 2026
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Beyond the outright winner market, several betting options stand out for Croatia. The to qualify from group market offers value, while individual match result markets and anytime goalscorer bets provide more targeted opportunities. Use the BetBuilder to combine selections for Croatia's group matches.
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Beyond the outright winner market, several betting options stand out for Croatia. The to qualify from group market offers the most accessible entry point. Individual match results, correct score and anytime goalscorer bets provide more targeted opportunities for each group match. Consider total goals over/under markets and both teams to score for added variety.
How Far Can Croatia Go? Realistic Expectations
Croatia has consistently performed well in recent World Cups, reaching the final in 2018 and the semi-finals in 2022. With a blend of experienced veterans and emerging talents, they possess the tactical maturity to go deep once more.
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Croatia's Squad for WC 2026
Croatia's final 26-man squad was announced by coach Zlatko Dalic ahead of the tournament. Below is the full squad plus selected profiles on key players.
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Goalkeepers
Livakovic
31 - GNK Dinamo Zagreb
Vastly experienced shot-stopper, the senior figure between the sticks. Currently at GNK Dinamo Zagreb, age 31.
Pandur
26 - Hull City FC
Reliable goalkeeper in his prime, expected to start every WC 2026 match. Currently at Hull City FC, age 26.
Kotarski
26 - FC København
Reliable goalkeeper in his prime, expected to start every WC 2026 match. Currently at FC København, age 26.
Defenders
Caleta-car
29 - Real Sociedad
Solid defender in his peak years, a regular starter for club and country. Currently at Real Sociedad, age 29.
Stanisic
26 - FC Bayern München
Solid defender in his peak years, a regular starter for club and country. Currently at FC Bayern München, age 26.
Vuskovic
19 - Hamburger SV
Emerging defender pushing into the senior set-up, athletic and reading the game well. Currently at Hamburger SV, age 19.
Midfielders
Modric
40 - AC Milan
Senior midfielder bringing tempo and game-management to the squad. Currently at AC Milan, age 40.
Vlasic
28 - Torino FC
Box-to-box player in prime years, key to linking defence and attack. Currently at Torino FC, age 28.
Sucic
22 - FC Internazionale Milano
Talented midfielder still rising, with the technical quality to influence games. Currently at FC Internazionale Milano, age 22.
Forwards
Perisic
37 - PSV Eindhoven
Experienced forward whose finishing instinct remains the squad's main goal threat. Currently at PSV Eindhoven, age 37.
Musa
28 - FC Dallas
Sharp forward in his best years, with the pace and movement to trouble any defence. Currently at FC Dallas, age 28.
Matanovic
23 - SC Freiburg
Rising star up front, blending speed with the confidence to take on the world's best. Currently at SC Freiburg, age 23.
Last 5 Matches: Croatia's Recent Form
| Date | Match | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 24, 2024 | Croatia vs. Italy | Red Bull Arena Leipzig | 21:00 |
| March 31, 2026 | Croatia vs. Brazil | 1-3 L | Friendly |
| March 26, 2026 | Croatia vs. Colombia | 2-1 W | Friendly |
| November 17, 2025 | Croatia vs. Montenegro | 3-2 W | European Qualifiers UEFA |
| November 14, 2025 | Croatia vs. Faroe Islands | 3-1 W | European Qualifiers UEFA |
Croatia in Group L: Schedule and Stadiums
Croatia have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Ghana, Panama.
| Match | Date | Stadium | CEST | EEST | BRT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England vs. Croatia | Tue 17 Jun | AT&T Stadium, Dallas | 22:00 | 23:00 | 17:00 |
| Croatia vs. Ghana | Mon 23 Jun | Gillette Stadium, Boston | 23:00 | 00:00 | 18:00 |
| Panama vs. Croatia | Sat 28 Jun | BMO Field, Toronto | 01:00 | 02:00 | 20:00 |
In the expanded WC 2026 format, the top two teams from each group advance to the Round of 32, with the eight best third-placed teams also qualifying. This means Croatia have multiple pathways to reach the knockout rounds, making every point in the group stage valuable.
Head-to-Head: Croatia vs. Group L Opponents
Croatia vs. England: A memorable match was Croatia's 2-1 victory over Spain in the Euro 2016 group stage.
Croatia vs. Ghana: Their Euro 2024 group stage match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Croatia vs. Panama: A memorable match was Croatia's 2-1 victory over Italy in the 2002 the tournament group stage.
Croatia's Head Coach for WC 2026
Zlatko Dalić (Croatian, born 1966) has been in charge since Oct 2017. Led Croatia to 2018 WC Final (runners-up). Led Croatia to 2022 World Cup third place. Qualified Croatia for Euro 2020 and Euro 2024. Won Albanian Supercup with Dinamo Tirana. Named Coach of the Yea His tactical approach: Zlatko Dalić's coaching philosophy is underpinned by authority based on knowledge and chemistry among team members, fostering a frank and sincere relationship with his players. His record with Croatia stands at 26-12-16.
The Greatest Croatia Coaches in History
Zlatko Dalic (2017-present): Led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and 2022 third place. His ability to build team chemistry and get the best from his golden midfield generation is unmatched.
Miroslav Blazevic (1994-2000): Guided Croatia to a stunning third-place finish in their debut the tournament in 1998, where Davor Suker won the Golden Boot with 6 goals.
For more information about Croatia's football history, visit UEFA.
Croatia's Official Kits for WC 2026
Croatia's WC History and Records
Croatia have appeared at 7 the tournament(s) in the history of the tournament. Their best finish was RU (2018).
7
WC appearances
RU (2018)
Best finish
0
Titles
Croatia at the 2022 World Cup
Croatia finished third at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, securing a bronze medal after beating Morocco in the third-place playoff.
Memorable WC Moments
Memorable WC Moments
Reaching the final in 2018, becoming the second-smallest country by population to do so.
Winning the bronze medal in their debut WC appearance in 1998.
Key Statistics
Croatia's all-time top scorer is Davor Šuker, 45 goals. The most capped player is Luka Modrić, 196 caps. Croatia has made 7 WC appearances.
FAQ: Croatia at the tournament
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