World Cup 2026: Team Preview – Croatia
An analysis of Croatia's form and prospects ahead of the 2026 World Cup, as Luka Modric's legendary generation prepares for a final tournament.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Jason Kovac
The Croatia national team is preparing for the 2026 World Cup, an edition that will be historic due to the expansion to 48 teams. For the "Vatreni," this tournament in North America could be the swan song for a golden generation that, under Zlatko Dalic, has already secured silver and bronze medals on the world stage.
The qualifying campaign was handled confidently, with the team finishing top of their group with seven wins and a draw. Croatia remains one of Europe's most disciplined sides, relying on footballing intelligence and extensive experience rather than raw physical dominance.
At the heart of the team remains 40-year-old Luka Modric. Despite his age, he continues to dictate the tempo, serving as the conductor in a 4-2-3-1 tactical setup. Alongside him, Zlatko Dalic is gradually integrating young talents, such as 19-year-old defender Luka Vuskovic, to inject fresh energy into the squad.
The main challenges for the team remain the aging core and the hot conditions in the US, Canada, and Mexico. However, given their psychological resilience and ability to upset top opponents, it would be a mistake to write Croatia off. Securing first place in Group L is critical to avoiding difficult opponents in the early knockout stages.