The Croatia World Cup 2026 squad is a meticulously selected group of experienced golden-generation veterans and emerging young talents who will represent the national team (nicknamed the Vatreni, “the Blazers”) in Group L of the tournament hosted across North America. Head coach Zlatko Dalic named the 26-man roster in May 2026, with AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric set to captain the team at his sixth and likely final World Cup.
Key Takeaways
- The Croatia World Cup 2026 squad was officially announced by head coach Zlatko Dalic in May 2026.
- AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric will captain the team at his sixth World Cup, a record shared only with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
- The roster is notably midfield-heavy with ten midfielders and features Manchester City pair Josko Gvardiol (a defender) and Mateo Kovacic.
- Croatia opens Group L play against England on June 17, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
- There are no major injury withdrawals reported for the squad.
Who Is Leading the Croatia World Cup 2026 Squad?
Zlatko Dalic serves as the head coach and manager for the Vatreni heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This tournament marks a significant milestone, as Croatia aims to build on its recent overachieving pedigree, having reached the 2018 World Cup final (runners-up to France) and finishing third at the 2022 World Cup. Dalic has led the national team since 2017 and is tasked with balancing the experienced golden generation with emerging young talent.
The squad’s leadership falls squarely on AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric. At 40 years old, Modric will captain Croatia at his sixth World Cup, a record that places him alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as one of the only players to appear at six World Cups. With around 196 international caps, this is widely expected to be his farewell World Cup tournament before he retires from international football.
What Are the Latest Team News and Injuries for Key Players?
There are no major injury withdrawals reported in the Croatia World Cup 2026 squad, providing a clean bill of health across the roster. The coaching staff has full access to their key players as they prepare for Group L competition. Instead of injury updates, team news focuses on the historic nature of Modric’s sixth World Cup and the strategic blend of veteran experience with youth.
Manchester City duo Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic—a defender and a midfielder respectively—anchor the spine of the team, while experienced attacking options like Ivan Perisic (PSV Eindhoven) and Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim) provide crucial goalscoring threat. Meanwhile, emerging young talents Martin Baturina (Como) and Petar Sucic (Inter Milan) are tipped to carry the team forward in the coming years.
What Is the Full Roster of the Croatia World Cup 2026 Team?
The final confirmed roster consists of 26 players, announced by Zlatko Dalic in May 2026. The squad composition is notably midfield-heavy, featuring ten midfielders—a reflection of the nation’s famous strength in that area. Most players are based in European leagues across England, Spain, Italy, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, with two home-based players (Dominik Livakovic at Dinamo Zagreb and Toni Fruk at Rijeka) and two playing in Major League Soccer in the United States (Marco Pasalic at Orlando City and Petar Musa at FC Dallas).
Goalkeepers
- Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb)
- Dominik Kotarski (Copenhagen)
- Ivor Pandur (Hull City)
Defenders
- Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)
- Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad)
- Josip Sutalo (Ajax)
- Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich)
- Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina)
- Martin Erlic (Midtjylland)
- Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg)
Midfielders
- Luka Modric (AC Milan) — captain
- Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City)
- Mario Pasalic (Atalanta)
- Nikola Vlasic (Torino)
- Luka Sucic (Real Sociedad)
- Martin Baturina (Como)
- Kristijan Jakic (Augsburg)
- Petar Sucic (Inter Milan)
- Nikola Moro (Bologna)
- Toni Fruk (Rijeka)
Forwards
- Ivan Perisic (PSV Eindhoven)
- Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim)
- Ante Budimir (Osasuna)
- Marco Pasalic (Orlando City)
- Petar Musa (FC Dallas)
- Igor Matanovic (Freiburg)
Squad Composition Breakdown
| Categorization | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Confirmed Players | 26 |
| Position Breakdown | 3 goalkeepers, 7 defenders, 10 midfielders, 6 forwards |
| European-based Players | Majority of the squad |
| MLS-based Players | 2 players (Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa) |
| Home-based Players | 2 players (Dominik Livakovic, Toni Fruk) |
Where Will Croatia Play Their Group L Matches?
Croatia is drawn in a highly competitive Group L alongside England, Ghana, and Panama. The group presents a challenging path for the Vatreni, as they face a fellow European heavyweight in England, an African side in Ghana, and a Central American team in Panama. All of Croatia’s matches will be played away from home at neutral North American venues.
Croatia’s campaign begins on June 17, 2026 (the overall World Cup started on June 11), against England at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which is designated by FIFA as the “Dallas Stadium.” The match starts at 4:00 PM ET. Following this opener, Croatia’s next group game—against Panama—is scheduled to take place at BMO Field in Toronto (FIFA “Toronto Stadium”) on June 23, starting at 7:00 PM ET.
Croatia’s final Group L match is against Ghana on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia (FIFA “Philadelphia Stadium”), with kickoff set for 4:00 PM ET. England are widely seen as Croatia’s main rivals for the top spot in the group.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many midfielders are on the Croatia World Cup 2026 squad?
The roster features ten midfielders, making it a notably midfield-heavy composition. This reflects the nation’s famous strength in that area and includes key figures like captain Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, and emerging talents Martin Baturina and Petar Sucic.
Who is the captain of the Croatia World Cup 2026 squad?
Luka Modric, an AC Milan midfielder, will captain the team at his sixth World Cup. At 40 years old with around 196 international caps, this is widely expected to be his farewell World Cup tournament before he retires from international football.
When does Croatia play their first match in Group L?
Croatia opens Group L play against England on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The match will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (FIFA “Dallas Stadium”), with kickoff scheduled for 4:00 PM ET.
Are there any MLS players on the Croatia World Cup 2026 roster?
Yes, there are two Major League Soccer-based players on the squad. They are Orlando City forward Marco Pasalic and FC Dallas forward Petar Musa.
