Croatia's 2026 World Cup Mission: Proving They Belong Among the Elite — Again

The world has learned to take Croatia seriously. Underestimate them at your own risk.

Despite having fewer resources and a smaller talent pool than most rivals, Croatia has cemented itself as an undeniable force on the global stage. Reaching the 2018 World Cup final was seen as a remarkable overachievement, yet a third-place finish at the 2022 tournament confirmed this was no one-off feat.

Ballon d'Or recipient Luka Modrić has been the face of a golden generation, but he's far from the only one deserving of credit. The AC Milan star has been flanked in midfield by equally gifted technicians and tireless workhorses, all guided by the composed Zlatko Dalić.

Once again, Croatia heads into the 2026 World Cup looking to surpass expectations.

The Road to the World Cup

Croatia barely needed to shift into top gear during qualifying. A draw with Czechia was their only stumble as seven wins from eight matches secured top spot in their group with relative comfort. Defensive resilience was crucial—conceding just four goals—but there was no shortage of attacking intent either, with Dalić's side netting 26 times.

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Manager: Zlatko Dalić

Dalić is revered in Croatia—and with good reason. With the nation having failed to advance past the quarterfinals at a major tournament since 1998, the 59-year-old was handed the demanding task in 2017 of helping a gifted squad unlock its true potential and perform beyond the sum of its parts.

That mission has been resoundingly accomplished over the past decade, with Dalić's man-management skills propelling Croatia to remarkable heights.

How Croatia Plays

Croatia's collection of creative midfielders allows the team to favor a measured, methodical, possession-oriented style. Dalić places great trust in the likes of Modrić and Mateo Kovačić to outthink opponents, with the supporting cast serving as enablers in both phases of play.

That said, Croatia is equally comfortable sitting deep, deploying a lethal counter-attacking approach when facing the world's top sides.

Ones to Watch

X-Factor: Somehow still orchestrating play in midfield at 40, Modrić remains the heartbeat of the nation. The Milan maestro and 2018 Ballon d'Or winner will wear the captain's armband in North America and will be central to any success Croatia achieves.

Breakout Star: The Bundesliga has quickly taken notice of Luka Vušković following a stunning debut loan spell at Hamburg. A commanding central defender, physical presence and genuine goal threat, the 19-year-old is clearly a future star in the making.

What Croatia Will Be Wearing

Croatia, which has partnered with Nike since the early 2000s, has stayed true to its winning formula with its latest kit range. The iconic checkerboard design remains dominant, serving as the shared template for both the home and away strips.

A centered crest and Nike swoosh appear within a vertical stripe bordered by the checkerboard pattern. The home shirt features the classic red and white combination, while the away kit is predominantly blue—the traditional color associated with Croatia's alternate jerseys.

Croatia's Predicted Starting XI

Experience will be in no short supply for Croatia this summer. Modrić, Kovačić, Andrej Kramarić, Ivan Perišić and Dominik Livaković have all graced the biggest stages on multiple occasions and form the backbone of Dalić's squad, though there are promising younger talents ready to inject energy throughout the lineup.

A serious injury to Manchester City's Joško Gvardiol raises questions over his availability this summer, though Croatia will do all they can to have the versatile defender fit in time. Vušković looks set to be rewarded for his outstanding breakout season in central defense, while Bayern Munich's Josip Stanišić is also expected to feature in a solid backline.

Inter Milan's Petar Sučić and Como's Martin Baturina will compete for midfield berths to inject freshness into an aging side, while Igor Matanović's impressive season with Freiburg sets up a battle for the No. 9 role with Osasuna stalwart Ante Budimir.

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Current Form

Croatia kicked off 2026 in promising fashion, staging a comeback 2–1 win over Colombia in a friendly. However, they stumbled against another South American opponent in Brazil, falling to a 3–1 defeat.

But the seasoned figures in the Croatia camp know better than to overreact to minor setbacks, provided the overall trajectory remains positive.

What We Can Expect From Croatia Fans

Croatia's modest population of roughly four million—small enough to fit into New York City twice over—belies the sheer dedication of its supporters, many of whom will make the long journey to North America this summer. Known for their fierce passion and deep-rooted love of the game, their presence will be unmistakable throughout the tournament.

A quirky tradition may catch the eye when traveling Croatia fans arrive in North America. Supporters have been known to wear water polo caps in the stands, a nod to former defender Vedran Ćorluka, who famously donned one to protect a head injury during a match at Euro 2016. Naturally, these caps tend to come in red and white.

National Expectations

Having watched their country punch above its weight at the last two World Cups, concerns linger over whether a veteran-heavy squad has the legs to go deep into yet another tournament, particularly in the heat. Nevertheless, Croatia can no longer be taken lightly, and there will be quiet confidence among supporters that another deep run is within reach.

Even if Croatia falls short of past glories—potentially bowing out earlier than hoped—fans will warmly celebrate the twilight of an era, with several of the nation's most iconic players likely making their final World Cup appearance. At the very minimum, supporters will expect a quarterfinal berth.

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