- by croatiaweek
- May 18, 2026
- in
Zlatko Dalić
Croatia national team coach Zlatko Dalić announced his squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States on Monday.
Speaking after revealing the squad, Dalić said he stood firmly behind the selections made together with his coaching staff and indicated there would be limited changes before the final deadline, although players currently on the standby list could still be included, the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) website said.
One of the most discussed omissions was striker Dion Beljo.
Dalić praised both Beljo and GNK Dinamo Zagreb following their domestic double-winning season, but explained that strong competition in attack ultimately kept the forward out of the final squad.
According to Dalić, established forwards including Andrej Kramarić and Ante Budimir were considered certain selections, while Petar Musa and Igor Matanović were rewarded for strong recent performances in Major League Soccer and the Bundesliga respectively.
Dalić also addressed the fitness situation surrounding defender Joško Gvardiol, who has been sidelined for several months.
The Croatia coach said the national team expects Gvardiol to regain full fitness before the tournament and hopes he will be ready to start against England in the opening stages.
The manager admitted that one of his main dilemmas was whether to include five central defenders in the squad, stressing the importance of maintaining a positive atmosphere within the group.
Midfielder Lovro Majer was placed on the standby list after a difficult season affected by injury and limited playing time at club level. Dalić said the player’s current club situation played a decisive role in the decision.
Captain Luka Modrić was also discussed, with Dalić expressing confidence that the veteran midfielder would arrive at the World Cup in strong condition despite recent fitness concerns. He added that the rest period following a demanding club season could prove beneficial.
Discussing Croatia’s tactical plans, Dalić said the team had a clear vision but that preparations and friendly matches would influence final decisions.
He suggested Croatia would likely adopt a more defensive and compact approach against England, while matches against Ghana and Panama could see a more attack-minded setup.
Forward Bruno Petković was left out after struggling with recurring injuries and a lack of consistent form throughout the season.
Dalić also praised Josip Mišić for his performances as captain of Dinamo Zagreb but explained that Croatia are now focusing on younger midfield options, including players such as Petar Sučić.
Young defender Luka Vušković received particularly strong praise from the coach following an impressive campaign with Hamburger SV. Dalić described Vušković as one of the Bundesliga’s standout defenders and said he expected the youngster to play a major role for Croatia over the next decade.
The coach revealed Croatia are considering using a three-man defence against stronger opponents, including Belgium, pointing to the depth and quality now available in central defence.
On Croatia’s ambitions at the tournament, Dalić said the primary objective would be to progress from the group stage. He expressed optimism about the balance of youth and experience within the squad, highlighting the development of younger players such as Martin Baturina and Sučić.
Croatia have been drawn in a challenging group featuring England, Ghana and Panama. Dalić acknowledged England’s status as one of the favourites for the tournament but warned that neither Ghana nor Panama should be underestimated.
The coach also confirmed that former Croatia international Ivica Olić could join the national team coaching staff, although discussions with federation officials are still ongoing.
Reflecting on his long-term approach to squad selection, Dalić said he continues to focus on maintaining continuity over an entire qualification and tournament cycle rather than selecting players solely based on short-term form, a philosophy he believes has contributed to Croatia’s recent international success.