Luka Modric was named to Croatia’s 26-man World Cup roster, setting him up for his fifth tournament despite a cheekbone injury. Coach Zlatko Dalic also included Ivan Perisic and a deep mix of experienced players, with Croatia opening Group L against England on
Croatia’s World Cup campaign is set to begin with a familiar face leading the charge. Luka Modric was included Monday in Croatia’s 26-man squad and is expected to play in his fifth World Cup.
Coach Zlatko Dalic announced the roster, which also features Ivan Perisic, who has scored in the past three tournaments. The stakes are immediate: Croatia’s World Cup campaign starts against England on June 17, with Panama and Ghana also in Group L.
Modric’s selection comes after he broke his cheekbone last month. Still, Croatia captain is expected to be fit when the team kicks off its tournament.
Dalic’s squad leans heavily on experience.. Modric, 40, won the Ballon d’Or in 2018, ending the long reign of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.. He made his international debut in 2006 and is Croatia’s most capped player with 196 international appearances. with a World Cup opportunity to reach the 200-cap milestone.
There’s also the weight of Croatia’s recent World Cup history behind the roster. Croatia reached the 2018 World Cup final, finishing third at the 2022 tournament, and now returns with veterans expected to help guide the group.
The squad includes goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, defender Josko Gvardiol, and midfielders Mateo Kovacic and Mario Pasalic, along with Andrej Kramaric.
The lineup also reflects a clear pattern: Modric’s return is tied to timing—he broke his cheekbone last month but is expected to be fit for the June 17 opener—while the team’s wider choices lean on long-established international experience. including Perisic’s scoring history across three prior tournaments and Modric’s record of 196 caps with a potential 200th milestone at the World Cup.
In addition to the 26-player squad, Dalic named seven stand-by players.
Croatia:
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Dominik Kotarski, Ivor Pandur.. Defenders: Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Sutalo, Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Martin Erlic, Luka Vuskovic.. Midfielders: Luka Modric. Mateo Kovacic. Mario Pasalic. Nikola Vlasic. Luka Sucic. Martin Baturina. Kristijan Jakic. Petar Sucic. Nikola Moro. Toni Fruk.. Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir, Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa, Igor Matanovic.. Stand-by players: Lovro Majer, Franjo Ivanovic, Dion Drena Beljo, Ivan Smolcic, Karlo Letica, Adrian Segecic, Luka Stojkovic.
Croatia Luka Modric Zlatko Dalic Ivan Perisic World Cup squad Group L England Panama Ghana Dominik Livakovic Josko Gvardiol
Modric is like the Energizer bunny, cheekbone broken and he still comes back.
So he broke his cheekbone last month but they’re saying he’s expected to be fit?? That sounds like PR, not medical lol. Also England in Group L again? I’m confused.
Wait how does he play a fifth World Cup if he debuted in 2006… shouldn’t that be like his 6th or something? Math doesn’t add up. But I guess Croatia always has someone somehow still performing.
I swear Croatia is always stacked with vets. If Modric gets his 200th cap in the tournament that’s insane, but I don’t even know if these “caps” are for club or country. And why does the article list like 26 guys plus 7 backups… is that for the whole group or just England??