Croatia team profile - FIFA World Cup 2026
In the build-up to FIFA World Cup 2026 in USA, Canada and Mexico, we shine a spotlight on Croatia.
FIFA World Ranking: 11
Confederation: UEFA
Who is Croatia’s head coach for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Croatia’s head coach for FIFA World Cup 2026 is Zlatko Dalic. He has been in charge of the national team since October 2017 and led them to the final of FIFA World Cup 2018, where they were beaten 4-2 by France.
Who is Croatia’s captain for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Croatia’s captain for FIFA World Cup 2026 is Luka Modric. He has over 195 caps for his country and won the FIFA World Cup 2018 Golden Ball.
How many times have Croatia participated in a FIFA World Cup before 2026?
6 – 1998, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022
What is Croatia’s best performance at a FIFA World Cup?
Runners-up – 2018
How did Croatia qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Croatia qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026 after finishing top of their group in the UEFA qualification stage. Teams were drawn into 12 groups with Croatia placed in Group L alongside Czechia, Faroe Islands, Montenegro and Gibraltar.
After eight group games, Croatia finished on 22 points with seven wins, one draw and no defeats, six points above Czechia in second-place. Andrej Kramaric top-scored for Croatia across qualifying with six goals, whilst the experienced Ivan Perisic found the net four times.
Confirmation of Croatia’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification came on November 14, 2025 after a 3-1 victory over Faroe Islands in the penultimate round of group matches. A 0-0 draw away to Czechia was the only fixture in which Zlatko Dalic’s side failed to win.
Who are Croatia’s star players?
Arguably the greatest ever Croatian footballer, 40-year-old Luka Modric (AC Milan) will compete in what will be his fifth and likely final FIFA World Cup after making his debut in the tournament back in 2006. Since then, Modric has gone on to lead Croatia to runners-up and third-place finishes in 2018 and 2022 respectively, playing a key role for his side on both occasions both from an attacking and defensive point of view.
A tireless midfielder with an incredible engine and unlimited range of passing ability, Modric has enjoyed a hugely successful club career which included 13 seasons at Spanish giants Real Madrid, where he won six UEFA Champions League titles. Modric was also winner of the Ballon d’Or award back in 2018 after his performances for both club and country.
Another key player in that FIFA World Cup 2018 squad that reached the final, Ivan Perisic (PSV Eindhoven) is likely to factor heavily in Zlatko Dalic’s plans, especially when taking into account his versatility. Perisic can be utilised as a full-back although he is likely to be played as an attacking midfielder out wide, where his ability to both score and assist goals can be most taken advantage of.
Who is in Croatia’s group at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Croatia are in Group L, which consists of the following teams:
England
Croatia
Ghana
Panama
Croatia’s Group L fixtures are as follows:
England vs Croatia: Wednesday June 17, 2026 – 4:00pm ET, 9:00pm UK
Panama vs Croatia: Tuesday June 23, 2026 – 7:00pm ET, 12:00am UK (Wednesday)
Croatia vs Ghana: Saturday June 27, 2026 – 5:00pm ET, 10:00pm UK
All kick-off dates are based on a local kick-off time
Where is Croatia’s base camp at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Episcopal High School – Alexandria, Virginia
Expert prediction for Croatia’s chances at FIFA World Cup 2026
Croatia’s hopes of winning FIFA World Cup 2026 have seemingly past now with that core who came so close eight years ago and reached the semi-finals in 2022 having aged out. The latest crop of players to come through the ranks are good, but arguably not good enough to make the deep runs we’ve seen in recent men’s World Cups.
Drawing England in Group L isn’t ideal when considering the Three Lions have beaten Croatia in four of their last six encounters. Thomas Tuchel’s side are arguably hitting their peak as a unit and the likes of Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka should lead them to victory against Croatia in the opening round of group games.
Zlatko Dalic’s men should still do enough to reach the knockout stage. They are a largely veteran group and you’d back them to wind up too strong for both Ghana and Panama, although the former will pose a tough challenge. However, assuming their finish second-place in Group L, a potential tie with projected Group K runners-up Colombia may well be their undoing.
What round will Croatia reach at FIFA World Cup 2026? Round of 32
