Croatia have officially announced their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the 2018 finalists prepare for a challenging Group L campaign against England, Panama and Ghana.
The 26-man roster features a blend of seasoned internationals and emerging talent, with veteran midfielder Luka Modrić set to lead the team at another global tournament.
Modrić, who boasts 196 international caps, headlines an experienced midfield that also includes Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić and Nikola Vlašić.
The former Ballon d’Or winner remains central to Croatia’s ambitions as they seek to replicate the memorable run that saw them finish runners-up at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
In defence, Croatia will rely heavily on Manchester City centre-back Joško Gvardiol, alongside Josip Šutalo, Josip Stanišić and Marin Pongračić. Real Sociedad defender Duje Ćaleta-Car also earns a place in the squad.
Between the posts, Dominik Livaković keeps his place as Croatia’s first-choice goalkeeper, with Dominik Kotarski and Ivor Pandur providing backup options.
The attacking department features familiar names, including Ivan Perišić and Andrej Kramarić, while Ante Budimir, Petar Musa and Igor Matanović add further firepower.
Head coach Zlatko Dalić has also named several standby players, including Lovro Majer and Franjo Ivanović, to provide cover ahead of the competition.
Croatia enter the World Cup with significant expectations after establishing themselves as one of Europe’s consistent tournament performers in recent years.
Drawn in Group L, the Europeans face a demanding path to the knockout stages with matches against England, Panama and Ghana.
The clash against Ghana is expected to attract particular attention as the Black Stars aim to make an impact at their fifth World Cup appearance, while Croatia will be eager to assert their pedigree and secure progression from the group.
