Croatia
The plan
Qualifiers were easy for the Vatreni – the Blazers – as Czechia, far from their glory days, provided the only serious challenge in the group and were the only opponents to snatch at least a draw. So Zlatko Dalić used some of those games to experiment and deepen his pool of players. But when, last November, Croatia defeated the Faroe Islands to secure first place with one round to go, the manager said: “I will never try to play with three at the back again.”
Fast forward to March before the friendlies with Colombia (2-1) and Brazil (1-3): he changed his mind, trying the formation in both matches with mixed success.
However, this is likely to remain only a Plan B for the World Cup. Croatia rely on Joško Gvardiol and Mateo Kovačić and, with the Manchester City duo back from injury, Dalić is inclined to switch back to a back four – either 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 – which has been a constant during his nine-year reign.
Joško Gvardiol will be key in the defence for Croatia. (Photo: Vjeran Zganec Rogulja / Pixsell / MB Media / Getty Images) Croatia will be among the oldest teams at the tournament, with roughly half or more of their starters into their thirties and the captain, Luka Modrić, now 40. That means loads of experience and a winning mentality, but also raises some uneasy questions.
Can the old guard of Modrić, Kovačić (32), Ivan Perišić (37) and Andrej Kramarić (35) still cut it? Are the younger, lesser-known players ready to step up? Croatia have been used to punching above their weight and their success at the past two World Cups has set the bar impossibly high, but they seem determined to deliver one last hurrah.
The coach
Keeping his post for almost a decade now is quite an achievement in trigger-happy Croatia, but Zlatko Dalić has done more than enough to earn his credit and is practically untouchable. However, mention his contract ends with this World Cup and he will prove sensitive about the subject. “Leave me in peace to do my job,” he snapped when asked about it recently. “I’m not going to sign an extension if anyone is forcing me to decide now.”
Star player
It’s been 20 years since his full international debut and for most of that time Croatia have been Luka Modrić’s team, built around the midfield maestro. It still is, even though a generation or two of players in his supporting cast have come and gone. Clearly he is not the same player who won the Ballon d’Or and Champions League titles with Real Madrid, but that is sometimes hard to tell when he is still pulling the strings for Croatia. He has been Milan’s best player – by some distance – after his switch from Real in 2025.
Luka Modrić, around whom the Croatian team is built, is playing in his fifth World Cup. His first was Germany 2006. (Photo: Vjeran Zganec Rogulja / Pixsell / MB Media / Getty Images) One to watch
Luka Vušković is the ball-playing, playmaking, scoring centre-back who is dominant in the air and has been the leader in every age category or league he has played in so far. At 19 and still new to the team, the Tottenham player (who was loaned out to Hamburg in the Bundesliga last season) has proved his worth to Dalić and is expected to be a starter in North America. Is he ready for the biggest stage? Of course he is – you just wait and see.
Unsung hero
Mateo Kovačić spent most of his career in Modrić’s shadow and has rarely been seen as a key player for Croatia. It is only when he is absent that his impact in midfield is truly appreciated because, when he is there, he provides Modrić with more freedom and connecting lines of play. To Dalić, Kovačić’s importance is so clear that his whole approach, including formation, depends on it. If Kovačić is not at his best, Croatia are likely to switch from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1, or even to a back three.
What to expect from fans at games?
Croatia have had more than their fair share of trouble with fans, with their behaviour responsible for various sanctions. The team will have mass support, as always, but fans travelling to North America will be there to sing, dress up and simply have a good time supporting the team rather than protesting or causing strife. At least that’s the hope.
Relationship with the US/Trump?
The “not mixing sport with politics” cliche remains a fixed position in Croatia, rolled out when it suits those in power. The nation’s politicians have not been vocal about the Trump administration, so don’t expect anything even resembling an opinion or attitude from anyone in the team camp. Fans may complain about the prices or other issues, but generally Croatia are unlikely to cause a stir. By Alex Holiga
England
The plan
Qualifying was a doddle. England cruised through it, recording eight wins from eight games, 22 goals scored and none conceded, but the opposition was hardly taxing. As it is so often, the question is how the Three Lions will fare against the very best in a knockout tie.
Over to Thomas Tuchel, then. Brought in after a series of near misses under Sir Gareth…
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