Featured image: Screenshot / HRT
Zlatko Dalić has announced the Croatia World Cup 2026 preliminary squad ahead of this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The squad once again includes some of the biggest names in Croatian football, led by Luka Modrić, Joško Gvardiol, Mateo Kovačić and Ivan Perišić, alongside several younger players who are expected to play an increasingly important role in the national team’s future.
Particular attention is once again focused on Modrić, as this could potentially be the final World Cup of his career.
“Modrić was on the bench over the weekend and I have no doubt that he will be at a high level. It means a lot to us that he is also in good form. He can decide himself whether he wants to wear a mask or not, but it will definitely help and I think this rest came at the right time for him. After demanding seasons, players need rest before joining the national team and I hope everyone will be healthy when we gather,” Dalić said in a statement published by the Croatian Football Federation.
Dalić counting on a mix of experience and younger players
Among the goalkeepers, Dalić is counting on Dominik Livaković, Dominik Kotarski and Ivor Pandur, while the defence is led by Gvardiol, Josip Šutalo and Josip Stanišić. The squad also includes younger names such as Luka Vušković, considered one of the most closely followed young Croatian defenders in recent years.
Dalić also spoke about the importance of Gvardiol for Croatia ahead of the tournament.
“We hope Gvardiol will be important for us and that he will be ready. We will try to give him an opportunity in the preparation matches so he can arrive at the World Cup in full form. We expect him to be a major reinforcement for us compared to Orlando. Joško is very important for us, he is on the squad list and with us, but we have to monitor his condition. He hasn’t played for six months, but knowing him and his work ethic, there should not be any problems. We need him, he is extremely important. I hope he will already be in the starting lineup against England,” said Dalić.
In midfield, the main focus is once again naturally on Modrić. Alongside him, the squad also includes Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić, Luka Sučić and Martin Baturina, while preliminary call-ups were also given to several players seen as part of the national team’s future.
Croatia’s attack will be led by Perišić, Andrej Kramarić and Ante Budimir, while Petar Musa, Igor Matanović and Marco Pašalić are also among the players selected.
Dalić: “The main goal is to get through the group stage”
Speaking about expectations ahead of the tournament during an HNS press conference, Dalić said Croatia once again has a squad capable of achieving a major result.
“The main goal is to get through the group stage. I am optimistic as always, we have a good national team. We have quality, youth and experience. Many players have improved over the last few years, Baturina, Sučić, and that is what gives me optimism. We have a difficult group, England wants to become world champions, but neither Panama nor Ghana are any less challenging. After getting through the group stage, we go step by step,” he said.
Croatia national football team will gather on May 25 and complete preparations in Rijeka. Croatia will then play friendly matches against the Belgium national football team and Slovenia national football team before travelling to the United States.
Croatia will play its opening World Cup match on June 17 against the England national football team in Dallas. That will be followed by matches against the Panama national football team in Toronto and the Ghana national football team in Philadelphia.
After winning silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022, expectations surrounding the Croatia national football team remain extremely high, even as the squad gradually goes through a generational transition. Despite that, the Vatreni still enter major tournaments as a team many consider one of the most dangerous “smaller” football nations in the world.
More about why expectations around Croatia remain so high ahead of World Cup 2026 can be found in our article Croatia’s ‘Vatreni’ Still Carry Massive Expectations Ahead of World Cup 2026.
