Markus

Croatia kick off their knockout phase with a clash against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the Round of 32. Nikola Vlašić's late winner against Ghana ironically sent Croatia into the tougher side of the bracket, with potential matchups against Spain and France should the Vatreni get past Portugal. Defence With Joško Gvardiol's lingering injury, Ivan Perišić has proven to … [Read more...] about The CroatianSports.com Recommended Starting XI vs. Portugal In The Round of 32

Zlatko Dalić is set to make a series of puzzling changes for the match against Panama. Clearly, he has different takeaways from the England game than most fans do, so let's break this down. The shift back to a more natural 4-back is refreshing. But this is where the good news ends. Star young defender Luka Vušković is set to be DROPPED for the match against Panama. Is this … [Read more...] about Gospodine Dalić… What Are You Doing???

Croatia opens the World Cup group stage in Group L against their toughest opponent, Thomas Tuchel's England, on Wednesday, June 17th at 4 pm ET in Dallas. The Vatreni are coming off two mediocre friendly performances, having used two different formations. The big question is whether Dalić opts for the reliable four-back, or was he truthful in his press conferences and lines up … [Read more...] about The CroatianSports.com Recommended Starting XI For Dalić vs. England In The 2026 FIFA World Cup Opener

Croatia faces Slovenia in Varaždin on June 7th at 2:45 pm ET for their second pre-tournament friendly following a rusty 2-0 defeat to a mediocre Belgian side. Dalić needs to urge the boys to play with more urgency and sharper decision-making before the World Cup begins, as Tuesday's game was one full of mistakes. Croatiansports.com believes Dalić must roll out a near-starting … [Read more...] about The CroatianSports.com Recommended Starting XI For Dalić vs. Slovenia

The 2026 World Cup is officially just around the corner! With Zlatko Dalić having officially announced the 26-man roster today, the Vatreni gear up to face Belgium, on Tuesday June 2nd at 12 p.m. EST, in the first of their two pre-tournament friendlies. While many raise concerns over the omissions of Adrian Segečić, Luka Stojković, or Dion Drena Beljo, this is the squad we … [Read more...] about The CroatianSports.com Recommended Starting XI For Dalić vs. Belgium

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