TEAM SCHEDULE AT THE WORLD CUP
7 appearances. Best finish: Runner-up.
Croatia is the 2018 World Cup finalist and the 2022 bronze medalist. At the 2026 World Cup, Croatia plays in Group L against Ghana, England, and Panama. Head coach Zlatko Dalić has been in charge since October 2017 — the most successful manager in Croatia's history. Captain and leader Luka Modrić, 40, is likely playing his last tournament. The supporting generation: Joško Gvardiol, Mateo Kovačić, Andrej Kramarić.
In 2018 Croatia — a country of 3.8 million — reached the World Cup final in Russia, a phenomenal feat for a small nation. The team won three knockout matches on penalties (Denmark, Russia, hosts Russia), with Modrić converting the decisive kick against Russia. In the Moscow final against France, Croatia equalized at 1:2 through Perišić but lost 2:4 — Griezmann and Mbappé closed it out. Four years later in Qatar, Croatia again reached the semifinal, lost to Argentina 0:3, then beat Morocco 2:1 in the bronze match.
Qualifying ended in first place in UEFA Group L with no defeats. Dalić has kept the 2018 core and integrated a new generation. In Group L the main rival is England. Matches are in Arlington, Toronto, and Philadelphia. Beyond the group, a possible round of 16 against Brazil — Croatia knocked Brazil out in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal on penalties.
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