The Croatia national football team is preparing for another exciting FIFA World Cup campaign as head coach Zlatko Dalić officially revealed his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Croatia will compete in the historic tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with fans hoping the 2018 runners-up can once again make a deep run on football’s biggest stage.
Croatia enters the tournament with a balanced squad featuring experienced stars and promising young talents. Veteran midfielder Luka Modrić continues to lead the national side, while several younger players are expected to play major roles during the competition.
Confirmed Croatia World Cup Squad 2026 Full Players List
Speaking after announcing the squad, Dalić expressed confidence in the group selected by his coaching staff. The Croatian manager also confirmed that only minor adjustments could happen before the final FIFA deadline, although stand-by players still have a chance to earn promotion into the final roster.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Dominik Livaković, Dominik Kotarski, Ivor Pandur |
| Defenders | Joško Gvardiol, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Šutalo, Josip Stanišić, Marin Pongračić, Martin Erlić, Luka Vušković |
| Midfielders | Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić, Luka Sučić, Martin Baturina, Kristijan Jakić, Petar Sučić, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk |
| Forwards | Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, Marco Pašalić, Petar Musa, Igor Matanović |
| Stand-by Players | Lovro Majer, Franjo Ivanović, Dion Drena Beljo, Ivan Smolčić, Karlo Letica, Adrian Šegedić, Luka Stojković |
Croatia’s mix of experienced leaders and emerging talents makes them one of the most dangerous European teams in the competition. Fans will especially focus on whether Modrić can guide the national team to another memorable World Cup run before the legendary midfielder potentially retires from international football.
One of the major talking points from the announcement was the absence of striker Dion Drena Beljo. Despite enjoying a strong season domestically, Beljo missed out due to heavy competition in Croatia’s attacking department. Dalić explained that experienced forwards like Andrej Kramarić and Ante Budimir were automatic selections, while younger attackers earned their spots thanks to impressive recent performances in club football.
The squad also includes defensive stars such as Joško Gvardiol and Josip Stanišić, giving Croatia a strong defensive foundation heading into the tournament.
Also Check: Confirmed Brazil FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad and Schedule.
Croatia FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule
Croatia has been placed in a competitive group featuring England, Panama, and Ghana. Every match will be crucial as the team looks to secure qualification for the knockout rounds.
| Date | Opponent | Time (CEST) | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 17, 2026 | England | 10:00 PM | 4:00 PM | Dallas Stadium |
| June 23, 2026 | Panama | 1:00 AM (June 24) | 7:00 PM | Toronto Stadium |
| June 27, 2026 | Ghana | 11:00 PM | 5:00 PM | Philadelphia Stadium |
The opening clash against England is expected to be one of the biggest group-stage matches of the tournament. Croatia will then face Panama before closing group play against Ghana in Philadelphia.
With experienced players, tactical discipline, and strong tournament history, Croatia once again heads into the FIFA World Cup with high expectations and hopes of another unforgettable summer.