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Croatia faces Brazil on Tuesday, March 31st, in Orlando for their second international friendly match. Following a surprising 2-1 victory over a full-force Colombian side with a heavily rotated B-team, expect Zlatko Dalić to field something closer to the Vatreni's strongest XI going into the World Cup this summer. Dalić experimented with a 3-back formation on Thursday; … [Read more...] about The CroatianSports.com Recommended Starting XI For Dalić vs. Brazil

Croatia faces Colombia in Orlando on Thursday, March 26th, in the first of two friendly matches. With the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, these are exactly the type of matches Croatia needs to test the water against strong competition. Zlatko Dalić has to field the closest thing he has to a World Cup starting eleven (minus Gvardiol). Defence: Stanišić - Vušković - … [Read more...] about The CroatianSports.com Recommended Starting XI For Dalić vs. Colombia

Croatia stand on the brink of qualification. On Friday, November 14th at 2:45 pm EST, the Vatreni host the Faroe Islands in Rijeka, needing just one single point to mathematically secure their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In truth, Croatia are already 99% through, but a statement win on home soil would wrap up what was a calm (for once) qualification campaign. The … [Read more...] about The CroatianSports.com Recommended Starting XI For Dalić vs. Faroe Islands

After Thursday’s boring draw in Prague, Croatia returns home to Varaždin for what should be a far more comfortable test. On Sunday, October 12th at 2:45 PM EST, the Vatreni face Gibraltar in the next chapter of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. While Croatia’s fate will ultimately be sealed with wins over Gibraltar and the Faroe Islands, this match presents more than … [Read more...] about The CroatianSports.com Recommended Starting XI For Dalić vs. Gibraltar

Croatia Predicted XI Croatia travels to Prague on Thursday, October 9th, for what could be the defining match of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Kicking off at 2:45 PM EST, the clash against Czechia isn’t just another group-stage fixture — it’s the deciding battle for direct qualification. Both sides know what’s at stake, and both enter the … [Read more...] about The CroatianSports.com Recommended Starting XI For Dalić vs. Czechia

Big changes are expected from Dalić Monday night in Zagreb, as Croatia close out the first half of their World Cup qualifying campaign against Montenegro at 2:45 pm (ET) kickoff. Here's how we want to see Zlatko Dalić line up the starting XI following a scary performance against the Faroe Islands on Friday. A rested Modrić + Perišić will be a huge lift for the … [Read more...] about The CroatianSports.com Recommended Starting XI For Dalić vs. Montenegro

Preview: Croatia vs Faroe Islands -- World Cup Qualifying, Matchday 3 Croatia returns to World Cup qualifying action on Friday, September 5th at 2:45pm EST, as the Vatreni visit the Faroe Islands in their third match of the campaign. After a blistering start in June, claiming six points and netting 12 goals across two games, Zlatko Dalić's men look to maintain their … [Read more...] about The CroatianSports.com Recommended Starting XI For Dalić vs. Faroe Islands

WOW. What a start to the World Cup qualifying campaign for Croatia as they smash 12 goals past Gibraltar and Czechia in their opening two matches. Croatia has taken a strong chokehold on Group L and go into the summer break on a positive note. That being said, who were the outstanding performers for Croatia and how does the Croatiansports.com team want to see the Vatreni come … [Read more...] about Vatreni Player Ratings: First Round of WC2026 Qualifying

The Vatreni face-off against current group-leaders Czechia in Osijek tomorrow at 2:45pm EST. Croatia are coming off a strong 7-0 triumph over minnows Gibraltar, and Czechia are 3/3 in taking down every other team in the group besides Croatia; Gibraltar 4-0, Faroe Islands 2-1 and Montenegro 2-0. The Czechs are also coming off a strong Nations League campaign, topping their group … [Read more...] about This Is How Dalić “Should” Start vs. Czechia Monday