Croatia 2026 World Cup Preview - Experienced Campaigners Set to Shock Once Again
Croatia heads into the 2026 World Cup as an underrated contender, despite their impressive pedigree—three semi-finals in six appearances. Zlatko Dalic’s team combines the experience of Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic with rising stars like Josko Gvardiol. Croatia dominated qualifiers and enters Group L with matches against England, Panama, and Ghana. Bookmakers rate them as outsiders (81.00 odds to win), with pundits backing Andrej Kramaric to be their top goalscorer. Although most expect an early exit, Croatia’s history suggests they could once again defy expectations and go deep.
- Croatia arrive at the 2026 World Cup as a proven contender
- Zlatko Dalic has an experienced squad led by 40-year-old Luka Modric
- The Blazers are in Group L alongside England, Panama and Ghana
Croatia enter the 2026 World Cup with the potential to provide another huge surprise. Despite their small population, they have got to the semi-finals in three of their six appearances on the big stage.
- World Cup History
- The Road to 2026 - Perfect Qualification
- The Manager - Zlatko Dalic
- The Squad - Tuchel Springs Some Surprises
- Players to Watch
- Group L Schedule and Path to the Final
- 2026 World Cup Winner Odds
- Group L - Reverse Forecast Betting Odds
- Croatia Stage of Elimination Odds
- Value on Offer in Top Goalscorer Market
Having finished as runners-up in 2018 and securing third place in 2022, Zlatko Dalic has an immensely experienced side led by 40-year-old Luka Modric.
Bookmakers appear to be writing the Blazers off once again, giving them the underdog status which appears to make them thrive.
World Cup History
Croatia boast an incredible record at the World Cup, reaching the semi-finals in half of their six appearances. They got to the final in 2018, falling 4-2 to France.
The Blazers delivered another shock at Qatar 2022, going unbeaten in the group stage before getting past Japan and Brazil on penalties. They met Argentina in the semi-finals, going down 3-0 in Lusial.
| Year | Host | Stage Reached |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | France | Third Place |
| 2002 | South Korea/Japan | Group Stage |
| 2006 | Germany | Group Stage |
| 2014 | Brazil | Group Stage |
| 2018 | Russia | Runners-Up |
| 2022 | Qatar | Third Place |
The Road to 2026 - Stress Free Qualification
Croatia dominated the World Cup qualifiers, registering an impressive seven wins and one draw. They scored 26 goals while conceding just four.
Andrej Kramaric scored two goals in a 5-1 home win against the Czech Republic, ending the campaign with six goals, two more than Ivan Perisic.
Zlatko Dalic's side beat Colombia 2-1 in the first friendly before defeats against Brazil (3-1) and Belgium (2-0). They ended with a 2-1 victory over Slovenia, Luka Modric and Mario Pasalic scoring in Varazdin.
The Manager - Zlatko Dalic
Zlatko Dalic became Croatia’s manager in 2017 and has exceeded expectations. He has used his experienced players to his advantage, establishing an unbreakable dressing room culture.
The 59-year-old has guided his nation to two historic World Cup podium finishes, consistently upsetting the established teams in world football.
The Squad - Four Players with 100+ Caps
Croatia's World Cup squad features a world-class midfield including 40-year-old Luka Modric.
After recently recovering from surgery, Dalic has no doubts that Modric will be ready, saying: "He's training with a mask and doing well... We'll see his condition, but I don't doubt him. He'll be in good form."
There is plenty of players competing at the top level in club football including Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol, Bayern Munich's Josip Stanisic and Inter Milan's Petar Sucic.
| Pos | Player | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Dominik Livakovic | 31 | Dinamo Zagreb |
| GK | Ivor Pandur | 26 | Hull City |
| GK | Dominik Kotarski | 26 | Copenhagen |
| DF | Josip Stanisic | 26 | Bayern Munich |
| DF | Marin Pongracic | 28 | Fiorentina |
| DF | Josko Gvardiol | 24 | Manchester City |
| DF | Duje Caleta-Car | 29 | Real Sociedad |
| DF | Josip Sutalo | 26 | Ajax |
| DF | Luka Vuskovic | 19 | Hamburg |
| DF | Martin Erlic | 28 | Midtjylland |
| MF | Nikola Moro | 28 | Bologna |
| MF | Mateo Kovacic | 32 | Manchester City |
| MF | Luka Modric | 40 | Milan |
| MF | Nikola Vlasic | 28 | Torino |
| MF | Mario Pasalic | 31 | Atalanta |
| MF | Martin Baturina | 23 | Como |
| MF | Petar Sucic | 22 | Inter Milan |
| MF | Kristijan Jakic | 29 | Augsburg |
| MF | Toni Fruk | 25 | Rijeka |
| MF | Luka Sucic | 23 | Real Sociedad |
| FW | Andrej Kramaric | 34 | Hoffenheim |
| FW | Ante Budimir | 34 | Osasuna |
| FW | Ivan Perisic | 37 | PSV Eindhoven |
| FW | Igor Matanovic | 23 | Freiburg |
| FW | Marco Pasalic | 25 | Orlando City |
| FW | Petar Musa | 28 | FC Dallas |
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Dominik Livakovic; Josip Sutalo, Luka Vuskovic, Josko Gvardiol; Josip Stanisic, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic; Mario Pasalic, Andrej Kramaric; Igor Matanovic
Players to Watch
Josko Gvardiol: The Manchester City defender is an all-rounder, comfortable in central defence and at left-back. His physicality often unsettles opposing players.
Mateo Kovacic: Kovacic has played for Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Man City and is a dynamic midfielder who takes the pressure off Luka Modric.
Luka Modric: The legendary 40-year-old captain remains the heartbeat of the side. His spatial awareness, press resistance and vision will dictate Croatia’s tempo.
Andrej Kramaric: As Croatia's top scorer during the qualifiers, Kramaric provides the clinical edge up front and is equally adept and providing assists. He can play across the front line which makes him a key component of the attack.
Group L Schedule and Path to the Final
Croatia face a fascinating challenge in Group L, opening with a highly anticipated match against England in Arlington. They then face Panama in Toronto and close out against Ghana in Philadelphia.
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 17 | England | AT&T Stadium, Arlington |
| June 23 | Panama | BMO Field, Toronto |
| June 27 | Ghana | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
Topping the group L would set up a Round of 16 clash in Mexico City which could be against the co-hosts. That route would lead to a quarter-final against Brazil or Morocco.
Finishing second in the group would see Croatia meet Colombia or Portgual in the Round of 32 followed by a Round of 16 clash against Spain.
2026 World Cup Winner Odds
Croatia are currently listed at 80/1 to win the World Cup, level with Switzerland and Turkey.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| France |
5.50 |
| Spain |
5.50 |
| England |
8.00 |
| Portugal |
8.50 |
| Brazil |
10.00 |
| Argentina |
10.00 |
| Germany |
15.00 |
| Netherlands |
19.00 |
| Norway |
29.00 |
| Belgium |
34.00 |
| Colombia |
41.00 |
| Mexico |
51.00 |
| Morocco |
51.00 |
| Japan |
51.00 |
| USA |
67.00 |
| Uruguay |
67.00 |
| Switzerland |
81.00 |
| Turkey |
81.00 |
| Croatia |
81.00 |
| Ecuador |
101.00 |
| Senegal |
126.00 |
| Canada |
126.00 |
| Sweden |
126.00 |
| Austria |
151.00 |
| Paraguay |
151.00 |
| Scotland |
251.00 |
| South Korea |
251.00 |
| Ivory Coast |
301.00 |
| Egypt |
301.00 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina |
351.00 |
| Algeria |
401.00 |
| Ghana |
401.00 |
| Australia |
501.00 |
| Czech Republic |
501.00 |
| Iran |
501.00 |
| Tunisia |
501.00 |
| DR Congo |
751.00 |
| Saudi Arabia |
1001.00 |
| Panama |
1501.00 |
| Uzbekistan |
1501.00 |
| Iraq |
1501.00 |
| Qatar |
2001.00 |
| Cape Verde |
2001.00 |
| South Africa |
2001.00 |
| New Zealand |
2501.00 |
| Jordan |
2501.00 |
| Haiti |
2501.00 |
| Curacao |
3501.00 |
Source: Bet365 and correct on 12 June 2026
Group L Winner Odds
England are short priced favourites to top Group L but Croatia are more than capable of getting a result in the opening game.
| Stage | Odds |
|---|---|
| England |
1.35 |
| Croatia |
4.00 |
| Ghana |
11.00 |
| Panama |
51.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 12 June 2026
Croatia Stage of Elimination Odds
Bookmakers are giving Croatia little chance to reach te quarter-finals. They are short odds to exit in the Round of 32.
| Stage | Odds |
|---|---|
| Group Stage | 4.40 |
| Round of 32 | 2.20 |
| Round of 16 | 4.00 |
| Quarter-finals | 8.00 |
| Semi-finals | 17.00 |
| Runner-Up | 34.00 |
| Winner | 81.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 12 June 2026
Value on Offer in Top Goalscorer Market
Nothing separates Andrej Kramaric and Ante Budimir in the Croatia top goalscorer odds. Veterans Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic are in the running.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Andrej Kramaric |
5.50 |
| Ante Budimir |
5.50 |
| Luka Modric |
7.00 |
| Ivan Perisic |
8.00 |
| Petar Musa |
15.00 |
| Igor Matanovic |
15.00 |
| Martin Baturina |
17.00 |
| Luka Sucic |
17.00 |
| Marco Pasalic |
17.00 |
| Luka Vuskovic |
17.00 |
| Toni Fruk |
17.00 |
| Nikola Vlasic |
21.00 |
| Josko Gvardiol |
21.00 |
| Mario Pasalic |
26.00 |
| Duje Caleta-Car |
34.00 |
| Mateo Kovacic |
34.00 |
| Josip Sutalo |
34.00 |
| Nikola Moro |
41.00 |
| Petar Sucic |
41.00 |
Source: Bet365 and correct on 12 June 2026
Verdict
Croatia have a great chance to pop England to top spot in Group L and go on another deep run at the World Cup.
With Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic over 37 and Ante Budimir likely to have his minutes limited, I am backing Andrej Kramaric to finish as Croatia's top goalscorer.
Andrej Kramaric
Top Croatia Goalscorer
@9/2 - 2 Units
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