Croatia have named their 26-man squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup as they look to emulate their performances in 2018 and 2022.
Croatia made the semi-final in each of the last two World Cups and were led by Zlatko Dalic for both. He remains in charge for the 2026 edition and has named a 26-man squad that he hopes will go one step further this time around.
There’s strong representation from the English leagues, with Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic of Manchester City in the squad alongside Ivor Pandur of Hull City.
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Croatia World Cup 2026 squad
| Squad number | Player | Position | Domestic club | International caps | International goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dominik Livakovic | GK | Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) | 73 | 0 |
| 23 | Dominik Kotarski | GK | Copenhagen (Denmark) | 3 | 0 |
| 12 | Ivor Pandur | GK | Hull City (England) | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Joško Gvardiol | DF | Man City (England) | 46 | 4 |
| 5 | Duje Caleta-Car | DF | Real Sociedad (Spain) | 38 | 1 |
| 6 | Josip Sutalo | DF | Ajax (Netherlands) | 31 | 0 |
| 2 | Josip Stanisic | DF | Bayern Munich (Germany) | 29 | 0 |
| 3 | Marin Pongracic | DF | Fiorentina (Italy) | 18 | 0 |
| 25 | Martin Erlic | DF | Midtjylland (Denmark) | 12 | 1 |
| 22 | Luka Vuskovic | DF | Hamburg (Germany) | 4 | 1 |
| 10 | Luka Modric | MF | Milan (Italy) | 196 | 28 |
| 8 | Mateo Kovacic | MF | Man City (England) | 111 | 5 |
| 15 | Mario Pasalic | MF | Atalanta (Italy) | 83 | 11 |
| 13 | Nikola Vlasic | MF | Torino (Italy) | 61 | 10 |
| 21 | Luka Sucic | MF | Real Sociedad (Spain) | 19 | 1 |
| 16 | Martin Baturina | MF | Como (Italy) | 17 | 1 |
| 18 | Kristijan Jakic | MF | Augsburg (Germany) | 16 | 2 |
| 17 | Petar Sucic | MF | Inter (Italy) | 15 | 1 |
| 7 | Nikola Moro | MF | Bologna (Italy) | 9 | 0 |
| 19 | Toni Fruk | MF | Rijeka (Croatia) | 7 | 1 |
| 14 | Ivan Perisic | FW | PSV (Netherlands) | 152 | 38 |
| 9 | Andrej Kramaric | FW | Hoffenheim (Germany) | 114 | 36 |
| 11 | Ante Budimir | FW | Osasuna (Spain) | 36 | 6 |
| 24 | Marco Pasalic | FW | Orlando City (United States) | 13 | 1 |
| 26 | Petar Musa | FW | FC Dallas (United States) | 10 | 1 |
| 20 | Igor Matanovic | FW | Freiburg (Germany) | 8 | 2 |
The Croatian squad is packed full of top-level talent, with the vast majority of the squad playing their domestic football in Europe’s top five leagues.
The likes of Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic bring experience to the squad, with almost 350 caps between them but the squad runs much deeper, with a wealth of options available to Dalic across the pitch.
- Read more: Croatia World Cup 2026 odds
Three players to look out for this summer
Luka Modric (Milan)
Luka Modric, at 40, is poised to lead Croatia in what is widely anticipated to be his final major international tournament at the 2026 World Cup. Despite a recent facial fracture, he is expected to be fit, demonstrating his enduring commitment and resilience. His unparalleled big-game experience, honed over numerous European Championships and World Cups, will be invaluable for the Croatian squad. Modric’s presence as the team’s heartbeat and orchestrator in midfield remains critical, guiding a new generation while aiming for another deep run in the tournament. His leadership and tactical acumen will be pivotal in Croatia’s quest for glory.
Ante Budimir (Osasuna)
Ante Budimir is set to be Croatia’s formidable impact player off the bench at the World Cup. Nicknamed the “Late Bloomer,” Budimir is a reliable Plan B for Croatia, capable of changing a game’s rhythm with his physical presence and opportunism. Standing at 6’3″, his aerial prowess and ability to punish defensive complacency make him a significant threat, especially against tiring opposition. With a knack for goal-scoring, as evidenced by his recent performances, Budimir offers a crucial alternative to unlock stubborn defences and provide a different attacking dimension when needed most.
Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)
Josko Gvardiol is set to be a cornerstone of Croatia’s defense at the 2026 World Cup. Despite a recent injury concern, the versatile defender is expected to be fully fit, providing a significant boost to the squad. Gvardiol’s ability to play both as a center-back and a full-back, combined with his strength, pace, and tactical intelligence, makes him indispensable. His defensive solidity and capacity to initiate attacks from the back will be crucial for Croatia’s aspirations, anchoring their backline and contributing to their overall strategy. His presence ensures a robust and dynamic defensive unit for the Vatreni.
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Croatia World Cup 2026 fixtures
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