This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.
The plan
Qualifiers were easy for the Vatreni – the Blazers – as Czechia, far from their glory days, provided the only serious challenge in the group and were the only opponents to snatch at least a draw. Zlatko Dalic therefore used some of those games to experiment and deepen his pool of players. But when, last November, Croatia beat the Faroe Islands to secure top spot with one game to go, the manager said: “I will never try to play with three at the back again.”
Fast forward to March before the friendlies with Colombia (2-1 win) and Brazil (1-3 defeat): he changed his mind, trying the formation in both matches with mixed results.
However, this is likely to remain only a plan B for the World Cup. Croatia rely on Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic and, with the Manchester City duo back from injury, Dalic is inclined to revert to a back four – either 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 – which has been a constant during his nine-year reign.
Quick Guide
Croatia: Group L fixtures
Show
17 June v England, Dallas (3pm local, 9pm BST, 18 June 6am AEST)
23 June v Panama, Toronto (7pm local, 24 June 12am BST, 24 June 9am AEST)
27 June v Ghana, Philadelphia (5pm local, 10pm BST, 28 June 5am AEST)
Croatia will be among the oldest teams at the tournament, with roughly half or more of their starters into their 30s and the captain, Luka Modric, now 40. That means loads of experience and a winning mentality but also raises some uneasy questions.
Can the old guard of Modric, Kovacic (32), Ivan Perisic (37) and Andrej Kramaric (turning 35) still cut it? Are the younger, lesser-known players ready to step up? Croatia have been used to punching above their weight and their success at the past two World Cups has set the bar impossibly high, but they seem determined to deliver one last hurrah.
The coach
Keeping his post for almost a decade now is quite an achievement in trigger-happy Croatia, but Zlatko Dalic has done more than enough to earn his credit and is practically untouchable. However, mention his contract ends with this World Cup and he will prove sensitive on the subject. “Leave me in peace to do my job,” he snapped when asked about it recently. “I’m not going to sign an extension if anyone is forcing me to decide now.” This is his third World Cup in charge having led the team to a silver medal in Russia and bronze in Qatar.
Star player
It’s been 20 years since his full international debut and for most of that time Croatia have been Luka Modric’s team, built around the midfield maestro. It still is, even though a generation or two of players in his supporting cast have come and gone. Clearly he is not the same player who won the Ballon d’Or and Champions League titles with Real Madrid, but that is sometimes hard to tell when he is still pulling the strings for Croatia. He has been Milan’s best player – by some distance – after his switch from Madrid in 2025. He scored his 29th international goal in a warm-up match against Slovenia and should surpass the 200-cap mark in North America.
One to watch
Luka Vuskovic is the ball-playing, playmaking, scoring centre-back who is dominant in the air and has been the leader in every age category or league in which he has played so far. At 19 and still new to the team, the Tottenham defender (who was loaned out to Hamburg in the Bundesliga last season) has proved his worth to Zlatko Dalic and is expected to be a starter in North America. Is he ready for the biggest stage? Of course he is – you just wait and see.
Unsung hero
Mateo Kovacic spent most of his career in Modric’s shadow and has rarely been seen as a key player for Croatia. It is only when he is absent that his impact in midfield is truly appreciated as, when he is there, he provides Modric with more freedom and connecting lines of play. To Dalic, Kovacic’s importance is so clear that his whole approach, including formation, depends on it. If Kovacic is not at his best, Croatia are likely to switch from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1, or even to a back three.
Probable starting XI
What to expect from fans at games?
Croatia have had more than their fair share of trouble with fans, with their behaviour responsible for various sanctions. The team will have mass support, as always, but fans travelling to North America will be there to sing, dress up and simply have a good time supporting the team rather than protesting or causing strife. Or at least that’s the hope.
Relationship with the US/Trump?
The “not mixing sport with politics” cliche remains a fixed position in Croatia, rolled out when it suits those in power. The nation’s politicians have not been vocal about the Trump administration, so don’t expect anything even resembling an opinion or attitude from anyone in the team camp. Fans may complain about the prices or other issues, but generally Croatia are unlikely to cause a stir.
Written by Alex Holiga for Telesport.
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