Croatia captain Luka Modric will lead his country in what is expected to be the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner’s final World Cup appearance after coach Zlatko Dalic named an unchanged 26-man squad.
Dalic stuck with the provisional list announced on May 18 and dropped the seven reserve players as Croatia look to build on their recent tournament success.
Modric, 40, will be given one last chance to guide Croatia to World Cup glory after guiding the side to second place in Russia in 2018 and third place in Qatar in 2022.
Dalic’s squad combines experience and youth, especially in defence, with Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol joined by highly-rated teenager Luka Vskovic, who is gaining experience on loan at Hamburg SV.
Croatia face a challenging Group L campaign against England, Ghana and Panama.
Croatia squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Dominik Kotarski, Ivor Pandur
Defenders: Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Sutalo, Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Kristijan Jakic, Martin Erlic, Luka Vuskovic
Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Luka Sucic, Martin Baturina, Petar Sucic, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk
Forward: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir, Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa, Igor Matanovic
Published on June 2, 2026
