FIFA Ranking #9 · 7 World Cups · Best: Runners-up
Croatia's extraordinary over-performance continues — a nation of just 4 million that has reached the World Cup Final (2018) and Semi-Final (2022). With Modrić at 40 and Gvardiol ascending, they pair the old masters with a new generation under the dependable Dalić.
Group L opponents
Luka Modrić
⭐ Star PlayerAl-Qadsiah
Midfielder
175
Caps
25
Goals
40
Age
2018 Ballon d'Or winner and one of the greatest midfielders in history — at 40, this is surely his last World Cup, but Modrić never stops running or creating.
Mateo Kovačić
Manchester City
Midfielder
90
Caps
9
Goals
32
Age
City's Champions League winner who provides relentless energy and technical brilliance alongside Modrić.
Joško Gvardiol
Manchester City
Left Back / Centre-Back
42
Caps
5
Goals
23
Age
One of the best young defenders in world football — City's dominant left-sided defender who is already at the elite level.
Andrej Kramarić
Hoffenheim
Striker / Forward
75
Caps
34
Goals
34
Age
Croatia's second-highest scorer behind Davor Šuker — his clever movement and clinical finishing continue to punish defences at the highest level.
All times local to venue. Group stage results determine knockout seedings.
England
FIFA #5
AT&T Stadium
Arlington, TX
Panama
FIFA #78
BMO Field
Toronto, Canada
Ghana
FIFA #60
Lincoln Financial Field
Philadelphia, PA
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7
Appearances
0
Titles
#9
FIFA Rank
Runners-up
Best Result
Croatia emerged from the former Yugoslavia in 1991 and reached the 1998 World Cup semi-finals on debut, with Šuker winning the Golden Boot. Their greatest achievement came in 2018 — reaching the Final in Russia — and they backed it up with a semi-final in Qatar 2022. A football miracle from a tiny nation.
Formation
Wide attacking triangle, pressing high up the pitch
Head Coach
Zlatko Dalić
Croatian · 4-3-3
Zlatko Dalić leads Croatia into the 2026 World Cup with a 4-3-3 system built around the squad's strengths.
The three teams Croatia must face in the group stage.
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