Croatia World Cup 2022 Preview: Midfield Still Powers the 2018 Runner-Up

Croatia fell one win short of a historic World Cup triumph in Russia, but it’s back in Qatar led by some familiar faces who aren’t done just yet.

A small nation of only 3.8 million people is coming off its best-ever World Cup finish after its inspiring run to the final in Russia. In 2018, Croatia survived three extra-time clashes in the knockout stage, including penalty shootouts in the round of 16 and semifinals, before losing to France in the final.

But Zlatko Dalić’s side struggled mightily in the aftermath of its World Cup success. Croatia won only two of its eight matches in 2020 and failed to make it past the round of 16 at Euro 2020, losing to Spain in an extra-time thriller. But Croatia has lost only once since its Euro disappointment (a 3–0 loss to Austria in June in the UEFA Nations League), a run that includes wins against France and Denmark in the last few months.

While it has lost some of its star power with Mario Mandžukić and Ivan Rakitić retiring from international play, Croatia’s experience and dependable strength in midfield will give it another chance to make an inspiring run on the world’s biggest stage. A difficult group will make sure that Croatia doesn’t fall into the trap of complacency—or make it pay with an embarrassing group stage exit.

Group F Schedule (all times Eastern)

- Morocco, Nov. 23, 5 a.m.

- Canada, Nov. 27, 11 a.m.

- Belgium, Dec. 1, 10 a.m.

Coach

Zlatko Dalić, hired in October 2017

Modrić and Croatia are back in the World Cup after finishing second four years ago :: Sanjin Strukic/PIXSELL/Imago Images

Players to Watch

Luka Modrić, midfielder

The Real Madrid star needs no introduction. His story from humble beginnings during the Croatian War of Independence to national hero inspires during every World Cup cycle. After leading Croatia to a second-place finish in Russia (where he won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player) and winning the Champions League, Modrić broke Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s 10-year grip on the Ballon d’Or. The 37-year-old is still a model of quality and class in midfield and added another Champions League title this year with Real Madrid.

Ivan Perišić, winger

No one in Croatia’s history as an independent nation has more goal contributions at a major tournament than Perišić’s 14. The 33-year-old has a knack for showing up during Croatia’s biggest games, scoring twice at Euro 2020 and three times in 2018 in Russia, including in the World Cup final. The former Inter Milan and Bayern star, who moved to Tottenham over the summer, is third on Croatia’s all-time goalscoring list with 32 goals in 115 appearances and will need to add to that tally for Croatia to succeed in Qatar.

Mateo Kovačić, midfielder

While most eyes in midfield will fall upon Modrić, Kovačić has massive expectations to live up to with Croatia now that he is a starter after the international retirement of Ivan Rakitić. But after stints with Inter Milan, Real Madrid, he’s now at Chelsea and the 28-year-old midfielder has the pedigree to be the country’s next star on the international stage. His distribution is impeccable and his versatility across midfield gives the Croatians a valuable option to deal with any attack, and start some of their own. The pairing of Kovačić and Modrić, along with Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozović backing them up, is the key to Croatia’s success in Qatar.

Gvardiol is one of the most sought-after young defenders in the world :: Luka Stanzl/PIXSELL/Imago Images

Breakout Candidate

Joško Gvardiol, center back

The 20-year-old is a towering center back that is heralded as one of the game’s brightest up-and-coming defenders, finishing sixth in the running for the Kopa Trophy (world’s best U-21 player). At Euro 2020, Gvardiol became the youngest player to ever play for Croatia at a major tournament. Chelsea has been widely linked to the talented RB Leipzig defender, and a solid World Cup could turn his future into a bidding war among Europe’s best teams.

World Cup History

- Sixth appearance

- Last appearance: 2018 (Runner-up)

- Best finish: Runner-up in 2018

Outlook and Expectations

It’s difficult to imagine Croatia matching its 2018 success, let alone going one step further to win the World Cup. But that doesn’t mean it will be a disappointment. Winning the group would go a long way toward solidifying its status on the international stage, but there are several hurdles it will have to overcome in a challenging Group F.

At the very least, Croatia needs to start its World Cup campaign off with three points against Morocco. Then it will meet an upstart Canadian side before its group finale against a star-laden Belgium. All eyes will be on Modrić and Perišić, but the veteran duo will need plenty of support from its supporting cast as this golden generation passes the torch.

World Cup Squad

GOALKEEPERS: Ivo Grbić (Atlético Madrid), Ivica Ivušic (Osijek), Dominik Livaković (Dinamo Zagreb)

DEFENDERS: Borna Barišić (Rangers), Martin Erlić (Sassuolo), Joško Gvardiol (RB Leipzig), Josip Juranović (Celtic), Dejan Lovren (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Borna Sosa (Stuttgart), Josip Staničić (Bayern Munich), Josip Šutalo (Dinamo Zagreb), Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens)

MIDFIELDERS: Marcelo Brozović (Inter Milan), Kristijan Jakić (Eintracht Frankfurt), Mateo Kovačić (Chelsea), Lovro Majer (Rennes), Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta), Luka Sušić (Salzburg), Nikola Vlašić (Torino)

FORWARDS: Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Marko Livaja (Hajduk Split), Mislav Oršić (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivan Perišić (Tottenham), Bruno Petković (Dinamo Zagreb)