Croatia National Team Roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Head coach Zlatko Dalić has unveiled the 26-man squad that will represent Croatia at the 2026 World Cup. The roster includes 3 goalkeepers, 7 defenders, 10 midfielders, and 6 forwards. Croatia has been placed in Group L, where they will face England, Ghana, and Panama. Their opening match is scheduled for June 17 in Arlington, Texas, USA. This tournament marks another milestone for Croatian football, building on their historic run to the 2018 final.
Croatia's Player Lineup
The goalkeepers selected for the 2026 World Cup are:
- Dominik Livaković (Dinamo Zagreb)
- Dominik Kotarski (Copenhagen)
- Ivor Pandur (Hull City)
The defensive corps includes:
- Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City)
- Duje Ćaleta-Car (Real Sociedad)
- Josip Šutalo (Ajax)
- Josip Stanišić (Bayern Munich)
- Marin Pongračić (Fiorentina)
- Martin Erlić (Midtjylland)
- Luka Vušković (Hamburg)
Key midfielders named to the squad are:
- Luka Modrić (AC Milan)
- Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City)
- Mario Pašalić (Atalanta)
- Nikola Vlašić (Torino)
- Luka Sučić (Real Sociedad)
- Martin Baturina (Como)
- Kristijan Jakić (Augsburg)
- Petar Sučić (Inter Milan)
- Nikola Moro (Bologna)
- Toni Fruk (Rijeka)
The forward line features:
- Ivan Perišić (PSV)
- Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim)
- Ante Budimir (Osasuna)
- Marko Pašalić (Orlando City)
- Petar Musa (FC Dallas)
- Igor Matanović (Freiburg)
Notably, the deadline for replacing any player is 24 hours before the first match. Croatia's domestic league contributed two players to the squad, reflecting its role in developing national talent. As the team aims to advance from Group L, they will look to replicate their past international success, including that memorable 2018 final appearance. Group L promises stiff competition, with England and Ghana fielding strong sides and Panama already proving themselves on the global stage. A strong showing could further elevate Croatian football, boosting the sport's popularity and support nationwide.
As Croatia prepares for a challenging journey in Group L, it’s interesting to note how other nations are also finalizing their squads for the upcoming tournament. For instance, Bosnia has named its roster, featuring notable players like Edin Džeko and a former Zorya goalkeeper, showcasing the competitive landscape that Croatia will face in the World Cup.