Croatia captain Luka Modric is set to lead his country at what is expected to be the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner’s final World Cup appearance after coach Zlatko Dalic named an unchanged 26-man squad.
Dalic stuck with the provisional list announced on May 18, trimming the seven standby players as Croatia look to build on recent tournament success.
Modric, 40, will have one last chance to guide Croatia to World Cup glory, having led the side to a runner-up finish in Russia in 2018 and third place in Qatar in 2022.
Dalic’s squad blends experience and youth, particularly in defence, where Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol is joined by highly-rated teenager Luka Vuskovic, who is gaining experience on loan at Hamburg SV.
Croatia faces a challenging Group L campaign against England, Ghana and Panama.
Croatia squad for FIFA World Cup 2026:
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Dominik Kotarski, Ivor Pandur
Defenders: Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Sutalo, Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Kristijan Jakic, Martin Erlic, Luka Vuskovic
Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Luka Sucic, Martin Baturina, Petar Sucic, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk
Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir, Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa, Igor Matanovic
Published on Jun 02, 2026