Croatia has named its 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and national coach Zlatko Dalic has once again placed his faith in the golden generation that carried the small Adriatic nation to back-to-back World Cup finals in 2018 and a third-place finish in 2022.
Leading the charge are two of Croatian football’s most iconic figures midfield maestro Luka Modric and versatile winger Ivan Perisic whose inclusion signals that Dalic intends to blend experienced leadership with emerging young talent as Croatia bids to make another deep run in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Modric, now in the twilight of a glittering career that includes five UEFA Champions League titles and a Ballon d’Or, remains the heartbeat of the Croatian midfield at 40 years old, his vision, technical precision, and leadership still regarded as irreplaceable by his coaching staff.
Perisic, equally battle-hardened and a consistent performer on the biggest stages, provides width, creativity, and the kind of big-game temperament that Croatia will need when the stakes are highest.
Their presence in the dressing room is considered just as valuable as their contributions on the pitch, with younger players such as Josko Gvardiol and Luka Sucic expected to benefit enormously from playing alongside two of the finest players Croatia has ever produced.
Croatia enters the 2026 World Cup with a quiet confidence that has become something of a trademark for this resilient footballing nation.
Drawn into a competitive group, they are expected to navigate the early rounds before potentially becoming a serious threat in the knockout stages the territory where Modric and company have historically been most dangerous.
Football analysts across Europe are already tipping the Vatreni as dark horse contenders, and with a squad that masterfully balances experience and youthful energy, Croatia will once again be a side that no opponent will relish facing when the tournament kicks off this summer.
FULL SQUAD:
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.
Attackers
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 Segečić, Luka Stojković.