Fresh from their 2022 semi-final run, Croatia returned to the World Cup with rising ambitions. Under Zlatko Dalić, they were ready to write the next chapter.
Croatia arrive for Luka Modrić's fifth and presumably final World Cup. The Vatreni reached the 2018 World Cup final and the 2022 semi-final an extraordinary run for a country of fewer than 4 million. Coach Zlatko Dalić has overseen the entire era. The 2024 Nations League quarterfinal loss to Poland followed by Euro 2024 group-stage exit raised doubts; qualification for 2026 was smoother than expected.
Croatia showed enough quality to navigate a challenging group stage, though not without the occasional stumble. In the knockout rounds, they were narrowly knocked out by Portugal in the Round of 32. The narrowest of defeats against Portugal ended what had been a promising tournament run.
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Scored in every match eliminated in the group stage.
Luka Modrić, 40, is expected to play his last World Cup at 2026. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner and five-time Champions League winner at Real Madrid remains the squad's creative anchor. A deep tournament run would be the perfect closing chapter of his international career.
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1.0per match
Perisic booked twice.
Ante Budimir led Croatia's attack with 1 goal at the 2026 World Cup. Shared the top-scorer honours with Musa, Baturina, Vlasic and Sucic, all with 1.
Dalić, 58, has coached Croatia since 2017 the longest tenure in the country's history. His patient management of an aging midfield core and successful integration of younger players (Luka Šutalo, Martin Baturina) has been the tactical puzzle of his tenure. In charge for 3 consecutive World Cups 14 World Cup matches managed in total.
