Croatia national football team head coach Zlatko Dalić has officially announced the final squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
The squad is once again led by veteran midfielder Luka Modrić, who continues to play a central role in Croatia’s midfield despite his age, alongside Manchester City defender Joško Gvardiol.
Dalić named a 26-man squad combining experienced internationals with emerging talents, maintaining the core that helped Croatia reach the 2018 World Cup final in Russia, one of the greatest achievements in the nation’s football history.
The defensive unit includes a mix of established European-based players, while the midfield remains Croatia’s strongest area, featuring Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, and several younger prospects expected to play important roles in the tournament.
In attack, Croatia will rely on experienced forwards such as Ivan Perišić and Andrej Kramarić, along with a group of emerging attackers aiming to provide depth and flexibility in the final third.
Croatia has been drawn into a competitive group, opening their campaign against England in Dallas on June 17, followed by matches against Panama in Toronto and Ghana in Philadelphia.
The team will begin its preparation camp in late May in Rijeka, where it will play friendly matches against Belgium and Slovenia before traveling to the United States for the start of the tournament.
Coach Dalić emphasized confidence in his squad, particularly the return of Gvardiol from injury, noting that his recovery has been strong and that he is expected to be fully ready for the World Cup.
Follow the latest news on Google News
