World Cup Hero
Predict the 2026 World Cup your way
Croatia play at the 2026 World Cup in Group L against England, Ghana and Panama. Head coach is Zlatko Dalić. Find their chances, history, FAQs and which World Cup Hero archetype matches Croatia below.
Two consecutive World Cups in the last four (final 2018, third place 2022) — a statistical absurdity for a country of 4 million. The engine is Luka Modrić, who at 40 plays his fifth and absolutely last World Cup. Beside him, Kovačić, Sosa and Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) carry the project forward. England are the favourites for group top in Group L; Croatia likely take second. Then comes what always happens: they go further than anyone expects. Dalić's tactic is to take more talented teams to extra time — and it often works. A semi-final is plausible; for Modrić it would be symbolic.
The three group-stage matches for Croatia in Group L.
Croatia face three opponents in Group L. The top two go straight through to the knockouts; the eight best third-placed teams also qualify.
Head-to-head analyses between Croatia and the other teams in Group L, plus classic rivalries.
Runners-up 2018, third in 2022. Top-four finishes at two consecutive World Cups. One of the most consistent nations since 2018.
The 3 biggest names in Croatia's squad, ranked by star score (0-100). Click for the full profile.
Modrić dictates the tactical chess game. Does this archetype match you too? Set your 10 sliders and discover the World Cup Hero in you.
Start predicting →Croatia play at the 2026 World Cup in Group L, together with England, Ghana and Panama.
Zlatko Dalić is the head coach of Croatia at the 2026 World Cup.
Croatia's best World Cup result is: Runner-up (2018). Croatia have 6 previous World Cup appearances.
Two consecutive World Cups in the last four (final 2018, third place 2022) — a statistical absurdity for a country of 4 million. The engine is Luka Modrić, who at 40 plays his fifth and absolutely last World Cup.
Croatia are part of UEFA (Europe). They sit at #10 on the FIFA world ranking.
Last updated: 2026-06-07