Croatia Announce 26-Player World Cup Squad With Luka Modric

Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic has named a 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with captain Luka Modric set to appear in his fifth tournament. The squad, announced on Monday, blends the experience of veterans like Modric and Ivan Perisic with a new generation of players as the team prepares for the competition across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The 40-year-old Modric, who broke his cheekbone last month, is expected to be fit for Croatia's opening match. He made his international debut in 2006 and, with 196 caps, could reach 200 appearances during the World Cup. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner was instrumental in Croatia's run to the final that year, with the team finishing third in 2022.

The squad includes several other seasoned internationals, such as goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, defender Josko Gvardiol, midfielder Mateo Kovacic, and forward Andrej Kramaric. Gvardiol's inclusion comes after he returned from a six-month injury layoff. Coach Dalic expressed confidence that the defender would be at full fitness and in the starting lineup for the tournament.

Dalic highlighted strong competition for places, particularly among forwards, noting that current form was a...