Zlatko Dalić, the coach of the Croatia national team who led his country to the 2018 World Cup final in Russia—where they finished runners‑up to France—has announced his final 26‑man squad list on Monday. The selection mixes experienced players with promising young talent.
Selected squad
Goalkeepers
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Dominik Livaković
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Dominik Kotarski
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Ivor Pandur
Defenders
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Joško Gvardiol
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Dujon Čaleta‑Car
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Joško Šutalo
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Josip Stanišić
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Marin Pongračić
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Martin Erlić
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Luka Vušković
Midfielders
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Luka Modrić
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Mateo Kovačić
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Mario Pašalić
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Nikola Vlašić
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Luka Sučić
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Martin Baturina
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Kristijan Jakić
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Petar Sučić
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Nikola Moro
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Toni Fruk
Forwards
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Ivan Perišić
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Andrej Kramarić
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Ante Budimir
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Marko Pjaca
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Borna Barišić
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Igor Matanović
Players on standby list
Seven players have been named on the standby list:
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Lovro Majer
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Franjo Ivanović
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Dino Đuran Beljo
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Ivan Šarić
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Karlo Letica
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Adrijan Šetić
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Luka Stojković
Justification of choices
Dalić explained his selections at the press conference, noting that Gvardiol, who was sidelined for six months by injury, returned to the squad thanks to his hard work in training and that he believes he will be ready and a valuable addition for the World Cup. He also mentioned that Lovro Majer is struggling with a long‑term injury and has not played for his club since the last international gathering in March in the United States, which is why he was placed on the standby list, despite Dalić’s regret over the decision.
Group‑stage fixtures
Croatia will open their 2026 World Cup campaign against England in Dallas on 17 June, then face Panama in Toronto six days later, before concluding the group stage with a match against Ghana in Philadelphia on 27 June.
Preparation phase
The national team will gather in Rijeka on 25 May to begin preparations, where they will play a friendly against Belgium on 2 June, followed by a second friendly against Slovenia on 7 June, before travelling to Washington to compete in the World Cup.
