Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic has announced the squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, including veterans like Luka Modric.
It will be Modric's fifth FIFA World Cup. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, who made his World Cup debut in 2006, remains a key figure for Croatia after helping the nation finish runners-up at the 2018 World Cup and secure third place in 2022.
The former Real Madrid midfielder has earned 196 caps for his country and is expected to return in time for the tournament after missing the end of AC Milan's season following surgery for a cheekbone fracture suffered in April.
Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol has also been included after recovering from a right shin fracture. The 24-year-old underwent surgery in January and recently returned to action in City's match against Crystal Palace on May 13.
Veteran forward Ivan Perisic is set to feature in his fourth World Cup. He joins Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Andrej Kramaric as the only players in the squad with more than 100 international appearances.
- 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: Lovro Majer, Franjo Ivanović, Dion Drena Beljo, Ivan Smolčić, Karlo Letica, Adrian Šegedić, Luka Stojković
Croatia will play Belgium and Slovenia in pre-World Cup friendlies before beginning their campaign in a group featuring England, Ghana and Panama.
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