2026-06-09
Croatia arrive in USA met by jubilant fans
The Vatreni land at their Group L base ahead of facing England, Ghana and Panama
Group L · · FIFA #11 · 91/1
Croatia
1912Modric's record sixth World Cup headlines a Croatia bridging the 2018 finalists and a new generation, with Gvardiol and Kovacic's fitness the big variable in a Group L showdown with England.
Coach Zlatko Dalic (Croatian) · since 2017-10
Matches
Key players
- Luka ModricCM · AC Milan
Captain playing a record sixth World Cup at 40; scored in the Slovenia send-off
- Josko GvardiolCB · Manchester City
Defensive cornerstone who only just recovered from a fractured tibia
- Mateo KovacicCM · Manchester City
Midfield engine but missed most of the season with Achilles problems
- Ivan PerisicLW · PSV Eindhoven
100-cap veteran of the 2018 final still delivering big-tournament output
- Andrej KramaricF · Hoffenheim
Centurion forward and reliable goal source off the front line
- Petar SucicCM · Inter Milan
The heir apparent in midfield as Dalic blends youth with the old guard
- Mario PasalicAM · Atalanta
Scored the stoppage-time winner against Slovenia in the final warm-up
Injuries / doubts
- Mateo Kovacic monitored closely after Achilles tendon problems wiped out most of his club season
- Josko Gvardiol passed fit after recovering from a fractured tibia that threatened his tournament
Recent form
| 2026-06-07 | Slovenia (h) | 2-1 W | Friendly |
| 2026-06-02 | Belgium (h) | 0-2 L | Friendly |
| 2026-03-31 | Brazil (a) | 1-3 L | Friendly |
| 2026-03-26 | Colombia (h) | 2-1 W | Friendly |
| 2025-11-17 | Montenegro (a) | 3-2 W | WC Qualifier |
| 2025-11-14 | Faroe Islands (h) | 3-1 W | WC Qualifier |
News
2026-06-07
Modric and Pasalic seal 2-1 send-off win over Slovenia
A late winner in Varazdin gives Croatia a positive farewell before flying to the USA
2026-05-18
Dalic names Croatia squad with Modric captaining at record sixth World Cup
The 40-year-old joins Ronaldo and Messi as the only men to appear at six World Cups