Zlatko Dalić has revealed Croatia’s preliminary squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The Croatia manager included experienced leaders and emerging young talent as the national team prepares for another major international tournament.
Player list
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livaković (Dinamo), Dominik Kotarski (Copenhagen), Ivor Pandur (Hull City)
Defenders: Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Ćaleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Šutalo (Ajax), Josip Stanišić (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongračić (Fiorentina), Martin Erlić (Midtjylland), Luka Vušković (Hamburger SV)
Midfielders: Luka Modrić (Milan), Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta), Nikola Vlašić (Torino), Luka Sučić (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakić (Augsburg), Petar Sučić (Inter), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka)
Forwards: Ivan Perišić (PSV Eindhoven), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pašalić (Orlando City), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Igor Matanović (Freiburg)
Standby players: Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg), Franjo Ivanović (Benfica), Dion Drena Beljo (Dinamo), Ivan Smolčić (Como), Karlo Letica (Lausanne), Adrian Segečić (Portsmouth), Luka Stojković (Dinamo)
Croatia will gather on May 25 and begin preparations in Rijeka, where they are scheduled to face Belgium in a friendly on June 2. The squad then travels to Varaždin for another warm-up match against Slovenia on June 7 before departing for Washington two days later.
The Vatreni open their World Cup campaign on June 17 against England in Dallas. They will then face Panama on June 23 in Toronto before concluding the group stage against Ghana on June 27 in Philadelphia.
Here’s how Zlatko Dalić explained his squad selection and key decisions ahead of the World Cup:
On the squad selection…
“Changes are still possible; players on the standby list can still make the final squad. This is the list I stand behind together with my staff. I had no major reason to make too many changes. Beljo? First of all, congratulations to Dinamo and Beljo on the domestic double. Beljo was very close, but the competition is extremely strong. We have Kramarić and Budimir, who are unquestionable choices, and then Musa and Matanović. Musa is playing very well in the MLS; he’s the league’s second-top scorer and was excellent in March. Matanović has played more than 50 Bundesliga matches, is his club’s top scorer, and is playing in the Europa League final. I called Beljo up three years ago, and he had his opportunity. The only reason he isn’t on the list is fierce competition.”
On Joško Gvardiol…
“We hope Gvardiol will be important for us and fully ready. We’ll try to give him minutes in the friendly matches so he can arrive at the World Cup in full form. We expect him to be a huge boost compared to Orlando. Joško is extremely important to us; he’s on the list and with the squad, but we need to monitor his condition. He hasn’t played for six months, but knowing him and his work ethic, I don’t expect problems. We need him badly. I hope he’ll already be in the starting XI against England.”
On the biggest dilemmas…
“My biggest dilemma was whether to take five centre-backs or not. I always protect the atmosphere in the squad. Back in March, I said we already knew the defensive core unless somebody lost their status. I haven’t yet spoken with Majer. He was injured for a long time and has had issues at club level. Since the last camp in America, he hasn’t started a single match. I’m very sorry about that, but his club situation is why he’s only on standby.”
On Luka Modrić…
“Modrić was on the bench over the weekend, and I have no doubts he’ll perform at a very high level. It means a lot to us that he’s fit and in rhythm. He can decide for himself whether he wants to wear the mask, but it will certainly help him. I actually think this short rest came at the perfect time for him. After such demanding seasons, players need recovery before joining the national team. I hope everyone arrives healthy.”
On Croatia’s tactical plans…
“We have a general idea and vision, but we’ll see through training. I can’t reveal everything in advance. Some players might impress even more during the friendlies. Against England, we’ll certainly be more compact and defensive, probably with more midfielders. Against Ghana and Panama, it will be different, much more attack-oriented.”
On the goalkeepers…
“In my coaching staff, I have four goalkeepers, probably the best in history. We discussed everything carefully and relied on continuity. There weren’t too many dilemmas. Silić was considered for the standby list, and we took him seriously. He’s definitely the future of the national team.”
On injured players…
“We have three players in situations where they haven’t played for a long time. I simply cannot leave Kovačić out of the national team. We have to be careful with them. Training and preparation will show us where they stand physically.”
On Luka Vušković after his excellent HSV season…
“One of the best players in the Bundesliga. He’s a player who will carry Croatia for the next ten years. Vušković had a fantastic season. Against stronger teams, we’ll probably try a back three. We have powerful centre-backs, both young and experienced. This tournament has to be built on defensive stability first, then we’ll see going forward. At first, I said I wouldn’t play with three at the back, but things changed because these defenders emerged. We’ll try it against Belgium.”
On Croatia’s World Cup ambitions…
“The basic goal is to get through the group stage. I’m optimistic, as always. We have a very good national team with quality, youth, and experience. Many players have improved greatly over the last few years, like Baturina and Sučić, and that gives me optimism. It’s a very difficult group. England wants to become world champions, but Panama and Ghana are also dangerous opponents. Once we get through the group, then we go step by step.”
On his coaching staff…
“My proposal will be for Ivica Olić to join the coaching staff, but that’s something I still need to discuss with the federation president and technical director.”
On whether his squad-building philosophy has changed over the years…
“It hasn’t changed at all. The national team is not about one moment or current form alone. I look at a two-year cycle, and I’ve worked this way for nine years. It brought us medals. I believe in that, and I won’t abandon it. Every player has the right to be upset, but they must respond positively and prove they deserve a place. There’s no room for negative frustration, only positive motivation. And there will be more World Cups ahead.”
