Croatia is back. The nation of fewer than four million people is ready to compete at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America.
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This summer, you will witness Luka Modrić lead his country one final time. Zlatko Dalić’s men were drawn into Group L alongside England, Ghana, and Panama.
Don’t underestimate the Vatreni — they have reached the podium in three of the last four World Cups.
Croatia’s Schedule (Croatian Local Time — CEST)
This is the most important section for Croatian fans. All times below are in Central European Summer Time (CEST / UTC+2), which is Croatia’s local time zone in June.
| Date | 🇭🇷 Match | Venue | Time | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, 17 Jun 2026 | 🏴 England vs 🇭🇷 Croatia | Arlington, Texas | 22:00 | AT&T Stadium |
| Tue, 23 Jun 2026 | 🇵🇦 Panama vs 🇭🇷 Croatia | Toronto, Canada | 01:00 | BMO Field |
| Sat, 27 Jun 2026 | 🇭🇷 Croatia vs 🇬🇭 Ghana | Philadelphia, USA | 23:00 | Lincoln Financial Field |
- ⚠️ Late-night alert: The Panama match kicks off just after midnight Croatian time. Set your alarms!
Croatia will play two matches in the United States and one in Canada. All three group stage games are broadcast live on HRT in Croatia.
The knockout round schedule will depend on Croatia’s finishing position in Group L.
Pre-Tournament Warm-Up Fixtures
Croatia also play two friendly matches before the tournament begins:
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, 2 Jun 2026 | 🇭🇷 Croatia vs 🇧🇪 Belgium | Rijeka, Croatia |
| Sun, 7 Jun 2026 | 🇭🇷 Croatia vs 🇸🇮 Slovenia | Varaždin, Croatia |
These home friendlies are the perfect chance to see the squad in final form before heading to North America.
Croatia’s World Cup History and Records
Croatia made their debut at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, finishing third in their very first appearance — a stunning achievement. Since then, they have qualified for every World Cup except 2010, making 2026 their seventh overall appearance.
Here is a full breakdown of Croatia’s World Cup record:
| Year | Stage Reached | Key Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 🥉 Third Place | Beat Netherlands 2–1 in bronze final |
| 2002 | Group Stage | Eliminated with 1W–0D–2L |
| 2006 | Group Stage | Eliminated with 0W–2D–1L |
| 2010 | Did Not Qualify | — |
| 2014 | Group Stage | Eliminated with 1W–0D–2L |
| 2018 | 🥈 Runners-Up | Lost final 4–2 to France |
| 2022 | 🥉 Third Place | Beat Morocco 2–1 in bronze final |
Croatia’s best finish is runners-up at Russia 2018, where they knocked out Denmark, Russia, and England before losing to France in the final.
Their 2022 campaign in Qatar was equally impressive — they finished third again, confirming their status as a World Cup powerhouse.
Their overall record across World Cups stands at 19 wins, 8 draws, and 10 losses in 37 matches. That win ratio is extraordinary for a nation their size.
2026 Predictions and Team Analysis
Croatia enter 2026 as cautious underdogs — exactly the label they prefer. Their group is tough, but it is very manageable. England is the primary obstacle, while Panama and Ghana represent winnable fixtures in the new 48-team format.
- Realistic target: Round of 16 minimum. A quarter-final or semi-final run is possible.
Strengths
- Elite midfield control through Modrić and Kovačić.
- World-class defensive solidity with Gvardiol.
- Proven knockout-round mental toughness.
- Manager Dalić’s tactical discipline and big-game experience.
Weaknesses
- Aging core — Modrić (40), Perišić (37), Kramarić (34).
- Lack of explosive pace up front.
- Physical demands of a long tournament in summer heat.
Key Players to Watch
- Luka Modrić (AC Milan): This is almost certainly his final World Cup. At 40, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner still controls tempo like no one else. He holds 194 caps and will captain Croatia with trademark composure.
- Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City): At just 24, he is one of the world’s best defenders. His ability to attack from left-back makes Croatia unpredictable going forward. He is the undisputed future of Croatian football.
- Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City): The engine of Croatia’s midfield. He presses hard, carries brilliantly, and plays without mistakes. His partnership with Modrić is technically one of the best in the tournament.
- Luka Sučić (Real Sociedad): The 22-year-old is Croatia’s most exciting next-generation talent. He offers creativity and direct running that complements the experienced core.
Croatia’s Predicted World Cup 2026 Squad
Zlatko Dalić’s final 26-man squad has not been officially announced yet. Based on recent call-ups and form, here is the expected selection:
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Dominik Livaković | Dinamo Zagreb (loan from Fenerbahçe) |
| GK | Karlo Letica | Lausanne-Sport |
| GK | Ivor Pandur | Hull City |
| DEF | Joško Gvardiol | Manchester City |
| DEF | Josip Stanišić | Bayern Munich |
| DEF | Josip Šutalo | Ajax |
| DEF | Marin Pongračić | Fiorentina |
| DEF | Martin Erlić | Midtjylland |
| DEF | Duje Ćaleta-Car | Real Sociedad |
| DEF | Luka Vušković | Hamburger SV |
| MID | Luka Modrić | AC Milan |
| MID | Mateo Kovačić | Manchester City |
| MID | Mario Pašalić | Atalanta |
| MID | Lovro Majer | VfL Wolfsburg |
| MID | Luka Sučić | Real Sociedad |
| MID | Petar Sučić | Inter Milan |
| MID | Martin Baturina | Como |
| MID | Nikola Vlašić | Torino |
| MID | Nikola Moro | Bologna |
| MID | Kristijan Jakić | FC Augsburg |
| FWD | Andrej Kramarić | TSG Hoffenheim |
| FWD | Ivan Perišić | PSV Eindhoven |
| FWD | Ante Budimir | Osasuna |
| FWD | Marco Pašalić | Orlando City |
| FWD | Igor Matanović | SC Freiburg |
| FWD | Petar Musa | FC Dallas |
How to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 in Croatia
Croatia’s official World Cup broadcaster is HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija).
The EBU (European Broadcasting Union) secured broadcast rights for HRT covering all matches through both 2026 and 2030 editions.
| Platform | Channel/App | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Free TV | HRT 1 / HRT 2 | Free (public broadcaster) |
| Free Streaming | HRTi (hrtvijesti.hrt.hr) | Free with registration |
HRTi is the official streaming platform of HRT and allows you to watch 2026 World Cup matches live and on-demand on smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.
No subscription fee is required for HRT’s main channels, as it is Croatia’s national public broadcaster funded by a license fee.
FAQs
Which group is Croatia in at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Croatia are in Group L alongside England, Ghana, and Panama.
When does Croatia play at the 2026 World Cup (local time)?
Croatia play on June 17 at 22:00 CEST, June 24 at 01:00 CEST, and June 27 at 23:00 CEST.
Where can Croatians watch the World Cup for free?
You can watch all matches for free on HRT — both on television and via the HRTi streaming app.
Is Luka Modrić playing at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Luka Modrić, aged 40, is expected to play and captain Croatia. This is widely expected to be his final World Cup.
What is Croatia’s best World Cup result?
Croatia’s best finish is runners-up at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. They lost the final 4–2 to France.
How did Croatia qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Croatia topped UEFA Group L with a record of 7 wins and 1 draw, scoring 26 goals and conceding just 4.
Who is Croatia’s coach at the 2026 World Cup?
Zlatko Dalić remains Croatia’s head coach. He has led the team since 2017 and guided them to both their 2018 final and 2022 third-place finish.
Who is Croatia’s best young player at the 2026 World Cup?
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) is widely regarded as Croatia’s standout young star and one of the best left-backs in the world.
Can Croatia qualify from Group L?
Yes. Croatia’s quality and experience make them strong favourites to advance. Wins against Ghana and Panama alongside a competitive showing versus England should be enough.
How many times has Croatia appeared at the FIFA World Cup?
The 2026 edition will be Croatia’s seventh appearance at the FIFA World Cup, their fourth in consecutive tournaments.
