A team profile of Croatia (Vatreni) at the FIFA World Cup 2026: 11th in the FIFA ranking, 7th appearance, 2018 runners-up, Zlatko Dalic's tactics, Luka Modric's last dance, and the Group L outlook with England, Panama and Ghana.
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A team profile of Cape Verde (Blue Sharks), who reached a first-ever FIFA World Cup: 68th in the FIFA ranking, a half-million-population island nation's historic feat, coach Bubista, players to watch like Jamiro Monteiro, and the Group H challenge against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
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Luka Modric's final World Cup stage may be almost here. Croatia, the Vatreni, arrive with the calm of a hardened tournament side and the sparkle of a midfield that still knows how to bend a match to its will. If you want every one of the 26 final squad members introduced individually, start with the companion Croatia 26-man squad guide.
Croatia announced themselves to the World Cup in unforgettable fashion. Their first appearance as an independent nation came at France 1998, and with Davor Suker leading the line they surged all the way to third place — proof that a small country with elite technique and fierce unity could trouble anyone.
Then came the run that changed their football story forever. At Russia 2018, Modric's Croatia kept surviving extra time, kept controlling midfield, and kept finding one more surge until they reached the final. France denied them the trophy, but Modric was named the tournament's best player and later won the Ballon d'Or.
At Qatar 2022, they did it again: not quite the final this time, but another semi-final run and another bronze medal, with the penalty shootout win over Brazil becoming a perfect snapshot of Croatian nerve. Now 2026 feels like the closing chapter of a golden generation, and likely Modric's last World Cup. That gives this campaign a special charge: one more spell, one more deep run, one more attempt to reach the final.
Zlatko Dalic's Croatia are not built only on pace or chaos. Their great weapon is midfield control. They slow the game when they need calm, draw opponents forward, then pierce the next line with a pass, a turn or a disguised change of rhythm.
Out of possession, they stay compact, compete hard in duels and rarely panic when matches run long. Extra time, pressure, penalties — Croatia have lived there and kept their pulse steady. The 2026 question is whether that mature midfield command can be paired with enough finishing power and fresh energy up front to turn control into knockout wins again.
Luka Modric, Croatia's legendary conductor. His reading of tempo remains extraordinary, and on what is likely his final World Cup stage, every pass carries the feeling of a last great orchestration.
Mateo Kovacic, the midfield technician. His turns through pressure and ability to carry the ball into space give Croatia a second way to control games beside Modric's passing rhythm.
Josko Gvardiol, a world-class defender with the range to cover space, win duels and help build attacks from the back. Against elite opponents, he is the platform Croatia need.
Ante Budimir, the front-line scoring source. His presence in the box, aerial threat and ability to occupy defenders can turn Croatia's patient possession into clear chances.
Ivan Perisic, the experienced attacker who knows exactly how World Cup moments feel. From wide runs to back-post arrivals, he still has the instinct to change a match.
Croatia's appeal is not only in the famous names. The old guard's tournament wisdom is now layered with a new defensive core and younger midfield legs, giving the Vatreni a bridge from one era to the next. The full 26-man squad and each player's role are covered in the Croatia 26-man squad guide.
Croatia open against England on 17 June, face Panama on 23 June, and close against Ghana on 27 June.
England and Croatia look like the strongest candidates to advance. Take points from the opener and Croatia can immediately aim for first place; stumble, and the Panama and Ghana games become pressure matches. With the best eight third-placed teams also advancing, the route is forgiving, but Croatia's ambition should be clearer than that: top two at minimum, top of the group if the midfield can set the rhythm.
Because the tournament is in North America, kickoffs land late at night or early morning in Japan — the England opener is set for 5:00 a.m. JST on 18 June. To avoid missing a Modric touch, subscribe to every Croatia fixture in your calendar.
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Q. How many times has Croatia reached the World Cup? This is Croatia's 7th appearance. Since debuting as an independent nation in 1998, they have built one of the tournament's most remarkable modern records.
Q. Who are Croatia's group opponents? Group L: England, Panama and Ghana. Croatia open against England on 17 June.
Q. What is Croatia's best World Cup result? Runners-up in 2018. They also finished third in 1998 and 2022.
Q. Who is the head coach? Zlatko Dalic. He has led Croatia since 2017, including the 2018 run to the final and the 2022 third-place finish.
