Honestly, if you told a soccer fan five years ago that we'd still be talking about Luka Modrić leading the charge in 2026, they probably would have laughed. Yet, here we are. The Croatia soccer team roster continues to defy the laws of biological aging and soccer logic alike.
It's kinda wild.
While other nations obsess over the "next big thing" every six months, Zlatko Dalić has cultivated a culture where the old guard doesn't just hang around—they dominate. But don't let the familiar names fool you. The 2026 squad is quietly undergoing a massive transition that most people aren't even noticing.
The Current State of the Croatia Soccer Team Roster
Right now, the roster is a fascinating mix of legendary status and raw, untapped potential. We’re seeing a team that just cruised through the World Cup qualifiers, topping a group with the Czech Republic and Montenegro. They aren't just winning; they're managing games with that signature Croatian coolness that drives opponents crazy.
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Dominik Livaković is still the undisputed wall between the posts. Since his move to Girona, he’s somehow leveled up his shot-stopping, which is saying something for the man who single-handedly broke Japanese and Brazilian hearts in Qatar. Behind him, the depth at goalkeeper is finally looking stable. Ivica Ivušić (Hajduk Split) and Ivor Pandur (Hull City) are the primary backups, though Ivušić has had some shaky moments recently that have fans on edge.
The Defensive Revolution
If you want to know why this team is still a top-10 FIFA-ranked powerhouse, look at the backline. It’s arguably the most athletic defense Croatia has ever produced.
Joško Gvardiol is the crown jewel. At Manchester City, he’s turned into a hybrid defender-playmaker that basically redefined what a center-back does. Next to him, you usually see Josip Šutalo or the veteran Duje Ćaleta-Car. But the real story is the kid everyone is whispering about: Luka Vušković. At just 18, the Hamburger SV defender (on loan from Spurs) has finally broken into the senior squad. He’s huge, he’s fast, and he plays with the arrogance of a veteran.
- Josko Gvardiol: Manchester City (The anchor)
- Josip Stanišić: Bayern Munich (Right-back stability)
- Luka Vušković: Hamburger SV (The future)
- Borna Sosa: Torino (The left-flank specialist)
The full-back situation is a bit more of a "wait and see" game. Stanišić has been battling some injuries at Bayern, which has forced Dalić to get creative. We’ve seen Borna Sosa and even guys like Kristijan Jakić filling in out of position. It’s not always pretty, but it works.
That Midfield (Yes, He's Still There)
It’s the worst-kept secret in sports. Luka Modrić, now 40 and playing for AC Milan, is still the heartbeat of the Croatia soccer team roster. Some people call it "The Last Dance," but we’ve been saying that since 2018. The guy just doesn't stop.
Alongside him, Mateo Kovačić provides the engine. At 31, Kovačić has taken over much of the heavy lifting from the retired Marcelo Brozović. It’s a different vibe now. It's less about the "holy trinity" of the past and more about a rotating cast of high-energy players.
Petar Sučić has been the revelation here. Playing his club ball at Inter Milan, he’s brought a defensive grit that the team desperately needed after Brozović stepped away. Then you have the "creatives"—Martin Baturina and Luka Sučić. Baturina has had a weird season at Como, not getting as many minutes as we’d like, but his talent is undeniable. When he's on, he’s the closest thing to a Modrić successor we have.
Midfield Depth Chart (January 2026)
Luka Modrić (Captain)
Mateo Kovačić (Vice-Captain)
Mario Pašalić (The goal-scoring ghost)
Petar Sučić (The new enforcer)
Nikola Vlašić (The impact sub)
Martin Baturina (The technician)
Luka Sučić (The versatile lefty)
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Solving the Striker Problem
Croatia's biggest headache for years has been the "number nine" spot. Since Mario Mandžukić retired, nobody has truly claimed the throne. Andrej Kramarić is still the most reliable goal-getter, but he’s 34 now and often prefers to drop deep rather than stay in the box.
Ivan Perišić is also still in the mix at 36. He’s at PSV Eindhoven now, and while he’s lost a half-step of pace, his delivery is still world-class. He’s chasing Davor Šuker’s all-time scoring record, and honestly, I wouldn't bet against him.
But keep an eye on Igor Matanović and Franjo Ivanović. Matanović is a physical beast at Freiburg, providing that "target man" profile that Dalić loves. Ivanović is doing great things at Benfica and represents a more mobile, modern threat. The days of relying on one superstar striker are over; it's a "scoring by committee" approach now.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Roster
A lot of casual observers think Croatia is just "Modrić and friends." That’s a massive mistake.
The real strength of the current Croatia soccer team roster is its tactical flexibility. Dalić has moved away from a rigid 4-3-3. Depending on the opponent, you'll see them shift into a 3-5-2 or even a 3-4-2-1 to get Gvardiol more involved in the attack.
Also, don't sleep on the "Bundesliga Connection." A huge chunk of this roster—Kramarić, Matanović, Jakić, Erlić—plays or has played in Germany. That tactical discipline and fitness level are why they can survive 120-minute matches and penalty shootouts better than almost anyone else in the world.
Why Experience Still Matters
There's a reason Dalić keeps calling up the veterans. In high-pressure tournaments, young teams crumble. Croatia doesn't. When you have Modrić and Kovačić in the huddle, the heart rates of the 20-year-olds stay low. It's a psychological advantage that you can't quantify on a spreadsheet.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following this team leading up to the 2026 World Cup, here is what you need to track:
- Monitor the Minutes: Watch how many minutes Modrić is playing for AC Milan. Dalić has been careful, but an overworked Modrić is a less effective Croatia.
- The Vušković Factor: See if Luka Vušković starts getting starts over older defenders in friendlies. If he's the starter by June, the defense becomes 10% faster.
- The Left-Back Search: Croatia is still vulnerable on the flanks. If a natural, high-level left-back doesn't emerge from the HNL (Croatian League), expect teams to target that side.
- Matanović's Form: If Igor Matanović can hit 10-15 goals in the Bundesliga this season, he becomes the undisputed starter, finally solving the striker dilemma.
The Croatia soccer team roster isn't just a list of names; it's a living, breathing transition from a golden generation to a new, more athletic era. They might not be the favorites to win it all, but as we’ve learned in 2018 and 2022, you ignore the Vatreni at your own peril. They are the team that refuses to go away.