by croatiaweek
October 6, 2025
in
Zlattko Dalić
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalić has called-up Luka Sučić and Ivan Smolčić today for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
The Vatreni face two fixtures in October as part of their campaign for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Croatia will first take on the Czech Republic in Prague on 9 October, before hosting Gibraltar in Varaždin on 12 October.
The national team gathered in Zagreb today, where they will train until departing for Prague on 8 October.
Sučić has not featured in the squad since he missed the match against the Czech Republic in Osijek when he decided to attend a family wedding instead.
He was left out of the squad for matches last month against Montenegro and Faroe Islands and was initially left out of the squad for the upcoming matches but now has been recalled.
The match in Prague will be Dalić’s 100th game in charge of Croatia.
Following the match against the Czechs, Croatia will return to Zagreb before heading straight to Varaždin to prepare for the clash with Gibraltar.
After the October fixtures, Croatia will have two more qualifying matches in November — against the Faroe Islands and Montenegro.
In Group L, Croatia currently sit top of the table with 12 points from four matches, level with the Czech Republic, who have played one game more.
The Faroe Islands and Montenegro follow with six points each from five matches, while Gibraltar remain without a point after the same number of games.
With qualification still finely poised, Dalić’s decision to bolster his squad with Sučić and Smolčić highlights Croatia’s determination to maintain their strong position as the campaign enters its decisive stages.