The great overachievers are back for one more run. Croatia, a nation of fewer than four million people, have reached the World Cup final and a semi-final in the last two tournaments, and they arrive in 2026 chasing a fairytale send-off for Luka Modric. At 40, the captain has called this his final World Cup, still pulling the strings for Zlatko Dalic in a midfield that now blends his experience with Manchester City's Mateo Kovacic and a gifted new generation in Luka Sucic and Martin Baturina. World-class defender Josko Gvardiol anchors the back line. Drawn into Group L with England, Panama and Ghana, this is the squad, the story, the fixtures, and why Croatia should never be written off.
Croatia have always been a midfield team, and that remains true even as the generations shift. These are the names the campaign turns on.
The icon. At 40 and now with AC Milan, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner captains Croatia at what he has said is his final World Cup. Still the team's tempo-setter, his passing range and big-game composure remain the difference in tight knockout football.
The world-class defender. The Manchester City centre-back, comfortable on the ball and quick across the ground, is the foundation of the back line. A reported injury around selection is the one cloud, but Dalic kept faith in his best defender.
The ball-carrier. Another Manchester City man, Kovacic glides through midfield and links defence to attack. Alongside Modric he gives Croatia control, and he is increasingly the senior voice in the engine room.
The heir. The Real Sociedad midfielder is part of the next wave tasked with carrying Croatia beyond the Modric era. Technical and composed, he is being trusted with real responsibility in the heart of the team.
The creator. The Como playmaker is one of the brightest young talents Croatia have produced in years, a creative number ten capable of unlocking defences and a symbol of the rebuild happening around the veterans.
The architect. In charge since 2017, Dalic has overseen the most successful era in Croatian history: the 2018 final and the 2022 third place. He has managed the transition without losing the team's knockout identity.
Zlatko Dalic again leaned on his trusted core while folding in the next generation. Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric add tournament know-how up front, while young midfielders Luka Sucic, Martin Baturina and Petar Sucic point to the future. Below is the full squad by position; club listings can shift over the summer window.
Dalic's group blends serial winners with genuine youth. The spine still runs through Modric and Kovacic, with Gvardiol the standout defender and Livakovic, a 2022 shootout hero, in goal. The goals are spread between Kramaric, Budimir and the in-form Petar Musa, while Ivan Perisic adds one more big-tournament presence on the flank. Club listings can change over the summer window.
Three threads define Croatia's 2026 campaign: a farewell, a transition, and a reputation for going deep.
The send-off. At 40, Luka Modric is set for his final World Cup. A nation, and much of the neutral world, would love to see one of the great midfielders bow out with a deep run.
The handover. Sucic, Baturina, Petar Sucic and Vuskovic are the future, learning alongside Modric, Kovacic and Perisic. Croatia are rebuilding without dismantling what works.
The edge. A final in 2018 and a semi-final in 2022, often through extra time and penalties. Croatia have made thriving in the tight margins of knockout football their trademark.
Croatia were drawn into Group L with England, Panama and Ghana. England are the seeds, but Croatia's pedigree makes this a genuine two-horse race for top spot, with the opener between the two heavyweights likely to decide it. Two of Croatia's matches are in the United States, with the middle game in Toronto.
The opener against England is the showpiece, a rematch of regular tournament meetings between the two nations. For the full picture of all 104 games, see the WorldCuply.com match schedule, and read our guides to Group L rivals England, Panama and Ghana.
Croatia are dark horses rather than favourites, but their ceiling is as high as almost anyone outside the very top seeds:
England are favourites to win the group, but Croatia have the pedigree and the spine to go just as far. If Modric stays fit and the young midfielders deliver, a quarter-final or better is a realistic ambition, and another fairytale run cannot be ruled out.
Croatia are one of 48 nations heading to the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
Croatia's Group L rivals and the seeds, Harry Kane and a confirmed 26-man squad chasing the trophy.
Read the England guide ›Croatia's Group L opponents, Los Canaleros back for a second World Cup under Thomas Christiansen.
Read the Panama guide ›All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to Croatia.
Open the schedule ›The top players at the 2026 World Cup, from Group L's biggest names to the tournament's brightest stars.
View the superstars ›This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm Croatia's squad, coach, qualification, group and fixtures:
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