Croatia’s run to the World Cup final in 2018 set a new standard for them as an independent nation, after previously reaching the semifinals of France 1998.
With a squad filled with UEFA Champions League talent, Zlatko Dalic’s side finally clicked together on the world stage four years ago, to storm past Denmark, Russia and England, before losing out to France in the title decider.
However, they have regrouped since then, despite a last-16 exit at Euro 2020, and Dalic will be looking to drag one more big-tournament performance from his veteran stars in Qatar.
Captained by Real Madrid star Luka Modric, Croatia will boast one of the most experienced squads at the World Cup, and Dalic will be relying on that crucial know-how to drive their momentum once again.
Croatia World Cup squad 2022
Head coach Dalic named his final squad on November 9. The most notable inclusion was that of midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, who had been an injury doubt in the weeks leading up to the tournament.
He suffered a hamstring issue in late September, and missed all of October. Having made his return to club action with Inter just in time, playing a handful of minutes in the November 6 Derby d’Italia against Juventus, he has been included in the final squad.
Defender Domagoj Vida had also been under discussion after reportedly also being an injury doubt but he appears fine and will look to surpass 100 caps for his country in Qatar.
By far the most important name on the list is Luka Modric, who is captain and talisman for the 2018 finalists. It’s yet to be confirmed, but at 37 years old it’s highly likely this will be his last World Cup. He is joined in the squad by fellow veteran Ivan Perisic.
Duje Caleta-Car of Southampton and Antonio Colak of Rangers have not made the final cut and are arguably the most surprising omissions from the list. Milan striker Ante Rebic was a mainstay of that 2018 run in Russia, but was not part of the preliminary list from which Dalic selected his final 26.
Croatia start their challenge in Qatar by facing Morocco on November 23, but first they’ll play one final friendly fixture against fellow World Cup hopefuls Saudi Arabia, on November 16.
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Dominik Livakovic | Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | 27 | 33 |
| Goalkeeper | Ivo Grbic | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 26 | 2 |
| Goalkeeper | Ivica Ivusic | Osijek (CRO) | 27 | 5 |
| Defender | Josip Stanisic | Bayern Munich (GER) | 22 | 6 |
| Defender | Borna Barisic | Rangers (SCO) | 29 | 27 |
| Defender | Martin Erlic | Sassuolo (ITA) | 24 | 3 |
| Defender | Dejan Lovren | Zenit St Petersburg (ITA) | 33 | 71 |
| Defender | Borna Sosa | VfB Stuttgart (GER) | 24 | 8 |
| Defender | Josko Gvardiol | RB Leipzig (GER) | 20 | 12 |
| Defender | Domagoj Vida | AEK Athens (GRE) | 33 | 99 |
| Defender | Josip Juranovic | Celtic (SCO) | 27 | 21 |
| Defender | Josip Sutalo | Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | 22 | 3 |
| Midfielder | Lovro Majer | Rennes (FRA) | 24 | 10 |
| Midfielder | Mateo Kovacic | Chelsea (ENG) | 28 | 83 |
| Midfielder | Luka Modric | Real Madrid (SPA) | 37 | 154 |
| Midfielder | Luka Sucic | RB Salzburg (AUS) | 20 | 3 |
| Midfielder | Marcelo Brozovic | Inter Milan (ITA) | 29 | 76 |
| Midfielder | Nikola Vlasic | Torino (ITA) | 25 | 41 |
| Midfielder | Mario Pasalic | Atalanta (ITA) | 27 | 42 |
| Midfielder | Ivan Perisic | Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) | 33 | 115 |
| Midfielder | Kristijan Jakic | Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) | 25 | 4 |
| Forward | Andrej Kramaric | Hoffenheim (GER) | 31 | 73 |
| Forward | Marko Livaja | Hadjuk Split (CRO) | 29 | 14 |
| Forward | Bruno Petkovic | Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | 28 | 22 |
| Forward | Ante Budimir | Osasuna (ENG) | 31 | 15 |
| Forward | Mislav Orsic | Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | 29 | 20 |
