Croatia
Coach: Zlatko Dalić
Starting XI Prediction
Star Players
All Players →
Fixtures
Group L
Full Squad Players List
| # | Player | Pos | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||
| 1 | Dominik LivakovićXI Dinamo Zagreb | GK | |
| 12 | Dominik Kotarski København | GK | |
| 23 | Ivor Pandur Hull City | GK | |
| Defenders | |||
| 2 | Josip StanišićXI Bayern Munich | RB | |
| 3 | Joško GvardiolXI Manchester City | CB | |
| 4 | Duje Ćaleta-Car Real Sociedad | CB | |
| 5 | Josip ŠutaloXI Ajax | CB | |
| 6 | Marin Pongračić Fiorentina | CB | |
| 11 | Luka Vušković Hamburg SV | CB | |
| 15 | Martin ErlićXI Midtjylland | CB | |
| Midfielders | |||
| 8 | Mateo KovačićXI Manchester City | CM | |
| 10 | Luka ModrićXI AC Milan | CM | |
| 13 | Martin Baturina Como | CAM | |
| 14 | Kristijan JakićXI Augsburg | CDM | |
| 16 | Nikola Moro Bologna | CM | |
| 17 | Toni Fruk Rijeka | MID | |
| 19 | Nikola VlašićXI Torino | CAM | |
| 20 | Luka Sučić Real Sociedad | CM | |
| 21 | Mario Pašalić Atalanta | CM | |
| 24 | Petar Sučić Inter Milan | CM | |
| Forwards | |||
| 7 | Ivan PerišićXI PSV Eindhoven | LW | |
| 9 | Andrej KramarićXI Hoffenheim | ST | |
| 18 | Marco Pašalić Orlando City | FWD | |
| 22 | Petar Musa FC Dallas | ST | |
| 25 | Ante Budimir Osasuna | ST | |
| 26 | Igor Matanović Freiburg | FWD | |
World Cup History
—
Titles
6
Appearances
37
WC Goals
16
Wins
Best finish: Runners-up (2018)
Top scorer: Davor Šuker (10 goals)
Most capped: Luka Modrić (23 matches)
Record: 16W – 7D – 10L
Croatia are one of football's great overachievers — a nation of four million that has reached the World Cup final twice (2018) and third place twice (1998, 2022). Luka Modrić, winner of the 2018 Golden Ball, is the greatest player in Croatian history and the defining figure of a generation that consistently punched far above their weight. Davor Šuker's 1998 Golden Boot remains one of the tournament's great individual performances.
Tournament Eras
Independence and the 1998 Debut — Third Place
1991–1998Croatia declared independence in 1991 and first participated in football as an independent nation. Their World Cup debut in France 1998 was extraordinary — they reached the semi-finals in their first appearance, beating Germany 3-0 en route. Davor Šuker scored 6 goals to win the Golden Boot. They lost the semi-final to hosts France but beat Netherlands for third — one of sport's great debut tournament performances.
The Modrić Era — Finals and Podium
2014–2022Luka Modrić transformed Croatia from good to exceptional. In 2018, playing every minute of every game, he won the Golden Ball as Croatia reached the final — losing to France 4-2 in a match that showcased their resilience (they trailed early but equalised before France pulled away). In 2022, despite Modrić being 37, Croatia finished third again — beating Brazil on penalties in the quarter-final. Their consistency is extraordinary.
Iconic Moments
Modrić's Shootout vs Russia — 2018
Croatia beat host nation Russia on penalties in the quarter-finals — Modrić scoring in open play then converting his spot kick in the shootout. The victory sent Croatia to the semi-finals and confirmed Modrić, operating in the pressure of tournament football, was among the world's finest players at 32.
Šuker's Golden Boot — France 1998
Davor Šuker scored six goals in France 1998 to win the Golden Boot — including a chip over the Dutch goalkeeper and a dinked finish in the third-place match against Netherlands. His tournament was a masterclass in predatory finishing and helped establish Croatia as a permanent force in European football.
Beating Brazil on Penalties — 2022 Quarter-Final
Brazil led Croatia and were minutes from the semi-final when Bruno Petković equalised in extra time. In the shootout, goalkeeper Dominik Livaković saved three Brazilian penalties. A 37-year-old Modrić converted Croatia's decisive kick. The upset sent shockwaves through the tournament.