Ante & Markus from CroatianSports.com discuss the best possible formation for Croatia at the 2026 World Cup, starting XI and who needs to sit.
Vušković, Petar Sučić and Marco Pašalić are all locks for us.
Croatia 2026 World Cup Preview: Formation & Starting XI
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P.S.
Once again – here is EVERY SINGLE JAGA ACTION AND TOUCH for PAO apperances + the game vs. Greece U21
MUST WATCH !!!
x.com/pana__X/status/2061705913463984351?s=20
9 spots vs. England are already set
Liva
Stanisic
Gvardiol
Luka Vuskovic
Modric
Baturina
Petar Sucic
Marco Pasalic (n.b. MLS season just started – so he’s fresh – which is important)
Musa (n.b. again MLS season just started – so he’s fresh – which is important)
That leaves 2 spots left to fill:
– The Perisic “LW” position (alternative is Luka Sucic), but 90% Ivan starts
– And 1 CB/FB/WB position
That’s it
Dalic needs to figure out how to tailor formation and tactics based on personnel available and make it all work
It’s gream t he’s said now a few times – he realizes he can’t just start the older-timers (like Budimir and Krama) for the sake of it – also he realizes he needs speed, energy and physicality – he must have read Anonymous who said he’s boycotting Dallas if Budimir, Krama, Perisic and Modric all starts together – as there is no point even watching
Anonymous 100% hit rate as always !!!
I’m ok with everything going into tournament except the CB pairing. I agree 4-2-3-1 and I agree in this formation Marco pasalic should start. I agree Kova bench sub modric around 70 min. I agree baturina start and musa.
However I do find it weird that if we go with 4 at the back the very first time vuskovic would play that with repka would be against England. I dunno I find that hard to believe that what would happen. Makes me think if we do go 4 at back vusko isn’t starting I dunno 🤷♂️
Like makes no sense to play 4 friendlies and out of the 4 not once does dalic try his ideal CB pairing in a back 4 if he has vuskovic in a back 4.
I honestly have no idea what we’re doing for CB pairing and that in itself isnt good. I get Dalic does and that’s all that matters but the fact it isn’t clear is a little nervous.
Also I think our back line are all a little out of form.
Guys, again let’s be so grateful. 3 medals in 30 years
3.8 million
No Africans
We are absolute legends of football and no one can deny it
We do what we can with what we have
And we have enough to perform and if the stars align
More magic can happen
Ajmo
And yeah as someone posted before and I’ve said it for years Mario pasalic needs to become a striker 😉
ok fellas, I’ll help you answer some of your concerns but I’ll start out by saying THANK YOU to Kvartuc for admitting he was wrong about Livakovic…it’s good to see Liva is an asset and not a liability.
as per Kovacic. Dalic was giving him lots of playing time NOT because he was the best option. Dalic has said it at least 2-3 times….he’s trying to help Kovacic get playing time to try and help him get his timing, passing, decision making and rhythm back because he still is a very important part of our transition game. Personally, I want P Sucic playing #6, Modric playing #8 and Baturina playing #10.
Markus, I’m 99.9% certain we will lineup with 4 in the back vs England. I believe Dalic has conceded and see’s they do not have enough time to really master 3 at the back. we just don’t have the personnel to manage our outside wingback positions and regardless of how good our 3 stoppers are, they need more time working together on that system.
Marco Pasalic would appear to have earned his spot in the starting lineup.
I agree with Markus on Musa. he is lively, hard working and in my opinion, the best of our 3 choices for striker.
good point from Kvartuc, I also hate that Perisic has had to live in Modric’s shadow but in my opinion Perisic has, for at least 13 years, been one of our 3 hero’s along with Mandzo and Modric.
Dalic won’t crucify Baturina for that mistake. he is a reasonable guy and know’s it would affect Baturina’s mental state.
No chance (in my books) Kovacic starts against England…ZERO! Dalic has said he is trying to help him get some form back but he know’s he is far from in form.
Budimir, in my opinion, is and has been considered ONLY because of his goals in Spain but you guys are right, he doesn’t fit our system and Budimir (in my opinion) is a sub.
Wow, nice to see Markus agree with me. Still feel like a light in the dark other than Markus when it come to this site. Cheers Markus, for speaking your truth, you are in the minority opinion, but you are right.
Ante your inconsistency is sad, you make allowances for Marco Pasalic, but not Petar regarding MLS issue quality.
The Moose all the way. Sorry to hear you back down to Ante’s pressure near the end of your conversation. Don’t hedge your bet.
Vlasic is playing aggressive, so is Mario, you could play them out of position on Top if you don’t care.
World Cup 2018 scorers: mandzukic 3, perisic 3, modric 2, rakitic 1, rebic 1, Vida 1, badelj 1, Kramaric 1, own goal by opposition 1.
Goals will come from different sources. As long as we have some control of games things will happen.
14 goals took us to World Cup final
Qatar 22: livaja 1, Kramaric 2, majer 1, perisic 1, orsic 1, Gvardiol 1
7 goals took us to third place
2026: Baturina 1, sucic 1, modric 1, Gvardiol 1, Kramarić 1, musa, 1, budimir 2, perisic 1, Marco p 1, matanovic 1, luka vuskovic 1, plus 1 from amongst vlasic-jakic-stanisic-kovacic-luka sucic-fruk
That’s 14 goals. Easily enough to win the tournament. As long as we keep it strong and tight 🙏
Oh yeah. Forgot petkovic 1 against Brazil 2022. Apologies Bruno 🙏🏻
Great stuff guys 👏👏👏. Dalic definitely forgives baturina. Weakest part of Baturina game was his work rate and his confidence. He is now THE hardest working and THE most confident on the team. Baturina definitely should start. Kramaric is ice cold, he can come off the bench and score anytime. 4231 best formation agree. Every position is a lock. Marcus has convinced me on Musa. The only question mark is the central defence pairing. Which is usually the foundation of a team. Only Croatia goes to a World Cup with 5 central defenders are no seniority. Let’s just go Luka V and sutalo. Ride or die.
Livi,
Stanisic, luka V, sutalo, Gvardiol;
Modric, sucic;
Marco, baturina, perisic;
Musa
Kramaric,luka Sucic, Mario P, kovacic, budimir, matanovic are all great options off the bench.
Last point. No way kovacic starts. He is not fit yet. It’s as simple as that.
100% with Ante on Petar and Super Mario. Luka make the call. Dalic doesn’t coach the team so it’s Luka’s call all the way.
Dalic doesn’t coach the team? We are lucky to have such coaches. Coach Dalic, keep praying your Krunice as you are apparently oblivious of what’s going on. Viva Zlatko!
They were talking about Marco starting, not Super Mario.
Agree with most of what Markus says here and his logic
One point not mentioned – and why Anonymous thinks both Musa and Marco will start vs. England – is that they are FRESH – as MLS season just started vs. the rest of the squad at the end of the season (Budimir needs to go sit by the pool for a month) – and they are used to playing in the summer and can go 90 minutes
Mark it
Although given BBC and Sky Sports trying to get tips from Ante – I think going forward – we should be posting only MIS-INFORMATION under these comments – so not to tip off England and Tuchel
Let Anonymous start – Anonymous is 1000% sure that Kotarski will start vs. England and Erlic and Pongracic will be the starting CBs – no other reason why they played against Slovenia – also Fruk with start in the #10 – let’s not be MORONS guys
Ante – please keep this need for MIS-INFORMATION in mind – when you do the next pod about Croatia chances, etc
Don’t forget Perisic had about 3 posts in 2018. Had he cashed those in not only would we have saved energy noting going to extra, but he would have had an amazing tournament.
Marco has the X-factor. He needs to start. When that Slovene took his shot and went down, you saw when he cut in he wanted to shoot. The guy is hungry.
Found highlights of ALL of Jaga’s PAO appearances (same source that posted his all touches and skills versus Greece)
***.youtube.com/@bigmanSport/search?query=jagusic
What’s the inside information on Jagusic shirt number?