Zlatko Dalić has announced the Croatia squad that will travel to Orlando for friendlies against Colombia and Brazil at the end of the month.
There are only a few changes from the previous international window. Franjo Ivanović has been left out of the squad after a difficult run of form and limited minutes with Benfica. Meanwhile, Mateo Kovačić and Joško Gvardiol will remain in Manchester as they continue recovering from their recent injuries.
One notable return is Como right back Ivan Smolčić, who receives his first call up since September 2025. His inclusion also highlights Croatia’s limited options at full back for this camp, with Smolčić and Josip Stanišić the only two natural full backs in the squad.
Petar Musa also keeps his place in the squad after a strong start to the MLS season and a very good international window last time out, where he recorded a goal and an assist.
Croatia will face Colombia and Brazil in Orlando as the Vatreni continue preparing for the World Cup this summer.
I’m going to Orlando for the Brazil game… Any good Croatian restaurants or bars in Orlando that anyone can recommend?
Martin, there is no Croatian sports bar or restaurant in Orlando .The only place we have in Florida is the Croatian American club 849 SE 8th Ave, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441, and that hike from Orlando
Nothing controversial here, unless you consider Fruk or Majer controversial. Even Fruk has something to add to the squad with his excellent 1-on-1 skills and ability to finish. Majer has been starting every match for Wolfsburg, and when he’s physically fit, he brings good creativity to the squad. However, I think there are plenty of players ahead of these two for playing time. Bašić might even have been ahead of them if not for being injured.
I am glad Smolčić is in the squad. He deserves it and could be an important piece in case of injuries or if chasing a goal against the bunker with those long throw-ins.
Poor Igor
Romero and Paulihna viciously headed each other in the dying seconds
Each will now have to follow concussion protocol – might miss a couple weeks, maybe more, you never know
So injury/missing list now up to 14
LMAO
Both Stanisic and Pasalic with goals today. Tudor’s Tottenham is inching closer and closer to regulation. Vuskovic will have a great World Cup and transfer out to a world class club. Gvardiol makes his return and the three young studs have a solid defensive chemistry.
Good thing Dalic called up Mario
He just got pumped 6-1 by Josip
Didn’t watch but as mentioned vs Udinese he’s pretty anonymous in midfield and useless
Maybe Dalic can play him up front
Pandur 2-1 win w one save
Crucial win vs Wrexham – still in 5th with 9 point lead over 7th
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGsVQEiTYwI
Nice Interview of Luka Modric. He gets the typical question, what’s in the water around Zadar?
@ anonymous
I fear you may not read good
The post was to highlight vuskovic potential impact on opposing goals scored. You seemed to make a case that Hamburg is actually better than we think, in which case it would argue for less vuskovic impact
I fear you haven’t passed Kindergarten math
U can’t run a “regression” based w 18 data points (# of teams)
Feel sorry for Tudor 3 – 0 down after 15 minutes.
All three goals huge mistakes defensively, two of them by goalkeeper Kinsky due to poor distribution. After the third goal Kinsky was replaced.
Stanisic with an easy tap in to give Bayern the lead against Atalanta.
Watch highlights and parts of 2nd half
Tttenham fans are blaming the pitch was too watered or they put oil on the pitch – to explain all the slipping and falling – this is the STUPIDEST excuse I’ve ever heard
If there was any issue with the pitch the players should have picked it up during warm-ups and changed their spikes before the game or during the game (like Rebic did vs Spain)
Feel terrible for Kinsky – Tudor called Romero over after the 3rd goal and Romero said take Kinsky off
If nothing else good reminder of Liva actually playing – Kinsky uses to get called up for Czech – now he’s nowhere
If I recall correctly when Rebic was changing his boots during the match, we were leading 1 – 0.
Spain attacked on the left-hand side while Rebic was changing his boots and scored to make it 1 -1. Had Rebic been on the pitch on the left wing they probably would not have scored. Rebic got a lot of criticism for changing his boots at an inappropriate time and rightly so.
Kinsky had to be replaced he was at fault for the first and third goals and mentally he was spent.
You’re 100% right on Rebic (and Spain scored) – then after the game (after receiving criticism) Rebic posted a message on the Gram against Dalic – and he was kicked off the NT permanently lol
My point was it is POSSIBLE to change boots during the game (have seen it many times) and as such it’s RETARDED for anyone to use it as an excuse (apparently they have different length cleats on different pairs of boots for this reason)
Is it better for the whole team to change their boots at one time (and give up a goal) or play the whole half and let in 4 goals ? Obviously better to give up one goal
It’s all silly – these are pros – and internationals – if there is problem on the pitch figure it out in the warm-ups (especially as similar thing happened to Barca a few weeks ago, apparently)
The pitch is NOT an excuse – and I also know they didn’t change their boots or if they did it didn’t fix anything – as I saw Romero slip in the 71′ just outside his box (along with other players, both teams)
Kinsky – poor guy slipped – and once that first goal in – u know his mind is spent (as this was his chance) – but that’s life – if he’s tough he keep pushing on – if he’s weak this will cripple him
Kinsky was slipping all over the place. I’ve never seen anything like this.
Rebic seemed to turn the ball over every time he touched the ball in that Spain game. Terrible performance for him all around and I was not sorry to see him and his attitude go after that.
Igor’s got BALLS
Drops Vacario (who has made tons of mistakes)
Brings in Kinsky – first start all season – Kinsky’s distribution is the best in the World of any keeper (watch his debut vs Liverpool last year) but his shot stopping hasn’t been so good (which is why he never plays) – he’s similar to Kotarski in that respect
Keeps Xavi and Gallagher on the bench (two of top 4 earners)
Romero is back 💪
Zero pressure
Opsies
3-0 after 15’ lol
Taxi for Igor he’s gone after this
Hopefully he gets a nice payday for the 4 games
lol
4-0 after 22’
Best distribution in the World ? lol cost Spurs 1st and 3rd goal with poor distribution.
Olic released the U21 list
15% injured
25% no play club regular
No Patrice Covic but midfielders from Croatian 2nd division “garbage” instead
Poor Jaga on there
Patrice Covic is not good enough yet for the U21.
Not sure if you watched ?? last year’s U17 World Cup in Qatar or the recently completed EURO group qualifiers for the U19’s which Croatia won and has made it to the elite round of qualifiers.
Covic is talented but did not excel in Qatar or the EURO qualifiers to warrant a call up to the U21.
He came on in the 92 minute for Werder as a token gesture on the weekend when the score was 3 -1 and scored what can only be described as a lucky goal being totally unmarked and from close range which the goalkeeper should have stopped.
The elite round of EURO qualifiers for our Under 19 starts on 25th of March when we play Switzerland with France and Norway also in the group. Tough group but hopefully Covic and the rest of the guys will do us proud.
Matches will be shown on Maxsport for those interested.
I love how Majer is always included no matter his form or playing time and no one ever says anything. Waste of space.
Taking both Majer and Wedding Boy instead of picking one and using the other spot for Jaga or Stojko is dumb – even Fruk being a guarantee despite dip this year is dumb – Modric needs fresh blood to school in training to stay sharp
Majer and Luka Sucic are both left footed, and I think one of them will miss out on the WC to make way for Kovacic to return in the midfield.
Just as I wrote my previous comment I saw Kotarski called off and Letica’s call up got activated
KOTARSKI SISTER GETTING MARRIED
BHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA
Maybe Wedding Boy will be the Best Man – TBD
Kotarski found out Dalic will split games b/w Pink Pandur and Liva and 3rd in pecking order – so decided wasn’t worth going
Semper and all the other keepers morons been pushing so bad that they don’t end get moved up to stand by now
The presence of Fruk Moro and Pongracic on the list keeps baffling me. Also hasn’t Kotarski played super bad for a long time now?
Regarding gvardiol there was some loose buzz about him returning to man city in May. Would prefer not that soon . Early June sounds just right
Had my analyst doing some research yesterday and he noticed something interesting about vuskovic and Hamburg.
There is generally a correlation between how many goals a team scores and how many they give up. This is for a few reasons and the most obvious being that the better teams who score more goals tend to be better overall and also the more time you’re at your opponents goal, the less they are at yours.
Based on regressions, hamburg has scored 28 goals this season which should imply giving up 45 goals. They’ve given up only 36.
What if we stretch further and say those 28 goals are overstated cause vuskovic has pulled several goals out of his A that normally wouldn’t be scored (see scorpion kick and him being the highest scoring cb across top 5 leagues).
What if he had normal cb production of 1 goal which means hsv scored 24 goals this season which is line with a team that gives up 48 goals by now vs hsvs 36
Massive outperformance
Your analysts continue to suck keep firing and keep hiring better
HSV 28 goals scored massively understates how many goals they should have scored
You can look at xG but the eye test of watching the games will tell u in some games their forwards have missed 2,3,4 open nets
With better players up front who can finish/convert they’d easily have 35 goals, maybe 40 – and would be a top 5 team fighting for a Europe spot next year
Stanisic vs Pasalic today in Champions League
Only two Croatians we have active in CL
If Manchester City advance further, we will at least have Kovacic on the team- maybe he will be ready for the 2nd game against Madrid?? So he will be ‘active’.
https://onefootball.com/en/news/josko-gvardiol-injury-timeframe-revealed-as-hugo-viana-faces-major-john-stones-and-nathan-ake-decisions-42529180
I found this article regarding Gvardiol’s recovery. He’s walking without a boot.
Yeah
It was a BS penalty – if anything – the Rijeka player initially fouled the Vukovar player and should have been called and a free kick to Vukovar (not penalty for Fruk to take)
Duel u kaznenom prostoru domaće momčadi kada gostujući napadač br. 77 i branič domaćina br. 13 na isti “nogometni” način žele igrati loptom nije prekršaj iz Pravila nogometne igre.
Vrlo dobro pozicionirani sudac, potpunog nadzora incidenta, dopustio je nastavak igre. Nakon neopravdane i neutemeljene VAR intervencije u razmatranjima Pravila nogometne igre sudac je pozvan na pregled snimke zbog potencijalnog kaznenog udarca.
Slijedom naših tehničkih smjernica:
– potpuno legitimne prirodne nogometne reakcije braniča u želji da igra loptom
- vrlo laganog i minornog kontakta koji nije utjecaj na kretanje i izvedbu suparničkog igrača
interpretaciju i prosudbu suca tijekom pregleda snimke smatramo neispravnom odlukom o dosuđivanju kaznenog udarca kao i intervenciju VAR-a, koja inicira dosuđivanje kaznenog udarca, neutemeljenu u smjernicama i VAR Protokolu.
Called up to Slovenia U18 after scoring a goal from half-way line
Parents get 10/10 for eye testing as they gave their son the middle name Luka 18 years ago
https://www.transfermarkt.com/tai-luka-modric/profil/spieler/1399324
Poor kid – nobody’s ever going to be able to find him on the internet
I think for quicker counter attack world cup opponents dalic will opt to go with a “faster” backline: Josko-sutalo-vuskovic-stanisic. Against England and Harry Kane I could see him going with Stanisic-vuskovic-gvardiol-jakic.
Interesting article SN
Now that Beljo is standing by
SN comparing Beljo vs. Sego as potential #9 for the NT (apparently Sego is now only playing #9, not wing anymore, at Hajduk?)
Anyways – article concludes what the NT actually needs is Sego’s profile, not Beljo’s, with his physical qualities (robust, quick, aggressive)
Thoughts ?
I’ve only heard Maminjo talk about Sego before and personally have zero POV
❤️❤️❤️Jaga❤️❤️❤️
8 matches left this season
There is two match-days left in phase 1 of the season
PAO has already secured #4 position (mathematically)
They will progress to Championship play-offs (teams 1 thru 4) and there will be an additional six match-days – the ranking at the end will determine CL, Europa, Conference League qualifications for next year (PAO will 100% be in Europe)
Subject to PAO sorting out the Jaga jersey situation this week (TBD) – Jaga apparently has a good chance to start/play in the final two match-days of phase 1 (March 15th and March 22nd) ahead of A-team meet up on March 23rd (since they are guaranteed #4 and unlike to catch the top 3 teams anyways – to be specific the bookies have them at 50/1 odds i.e. <2% to be #1)
And then has six more matches in the season to fight for in Championship play-offs
So 8 matches left this season
❤️❤️❤️Jaga❤️❤️❤️
"We are proud people. We like to fight. We like to suffer."
Luka Modric, March 8th, 2026
From Rangers / Celtic
Wild scenes
This makes Boban’s infamous kick look like a love tap
x.com/The_Forty_Four/status/2030762974231543906
If anyone wants to know Anonymous’ fun story re: Martin O’Neill please let me know 😉
Igor Tudor @ Frankfurt Tuesday
He gets Romero (suspension doesn’t apply to CL) and Spence back
First time Romero plays for Igor (serving suspension first 3 games – I think 2 more games to go in the PL)
Zero pressure for S*urs – nobody expect them to get a result
Anonymous will say that if S*urs can actually play tomorrow AND get a result tomorrow – it will be all be down to Romero dragging the whole team on his back – elite elite crazy winners mentality, hates to lose, plays/tackles to win – there is of course always a 20% chance that he is too aggressive and gets sent off (hopefully not)
Fan of Jakic . I think he has the tools and will be there in the end.
The more I think about it the more I believe the back line will be.
Stanisic. Sutalo Vušković Gvardiol
Listen I don’t t think bradaric is any spectacular player but a depth player. But by not calling him when easily could have with Gvardiol out signals to me
1- Dalic thinks Gvardiol is gonna be ready.
2- He’s gonna play LB
3- Depth charts for LB is Gvardiol then stanisic then Perisic incase of emergency.
4- Depth charts for RB is stanisic then Jakic then smolcic.
I think Kristijan Jakić can also play left back, even tho it’s not his primary role. So that could leave room for Gvardiol to play centre back with Vusković. Which wouldn’t be terrible. I wouldn’t mind seeing how they could compliment eachother in the centre.
I think by not calling Bradaric (who is a LWB (or RWB) not a LB) Dalic is basically ruling out playing a back 3 (again, if there was any doubt)
He wouldn’t ever play Bradarić. No matter what the circumstance.
Like you already said, Dalić would still rather opt for Perišić at LB… so, there’s no point in calling up Bradarić at all.
Even if Gvardiol is 50%, he’ll still be called up and (at worst) be a backup.
I agree w your back 4
But
If Dalic decides he wants to insulate / protect Vuskovic as much as possible he might go
LB Jakic
LCB Josko
RCB Vuskovic
RB Stanisic
That protects Luka vs England
But doubt that’s what he does as why call 5 CBs – so the way u have it makes more sense
Sorry
Brain-fart
LB Josko
LCB Luka
RCB Stanisic
RB Jakic/Smolcic
The point is to put Luka b/w Josko and Stanisic – but also don’t know if Luka at LCB works as well as RCB (it might be too ackward for him)
There has to be a ” Past WC Performance ” Litmus Test for some specific players,…… the “Lucky Charm” Honorary selection you could call it.
I believe you always need a few “gut” illogical heart selections, that might not make sense on paper. I believe this is the case with Livakovic, and Orsic.
Mislav Orsic did not make the active roster, and hopefully it really bodes well, that we can dispose of the man with the tying assist against Brazil, the best spot kick of the Brazilian tie breaker, and the most beautiful winning goal of the tournament for the bronze medal of 2022.
Pundits are always disrespecting and dismissing Croatia, they say that Croatia is a “Tournament” team, to explain our success away, and diminish our results.
Maybe Mislav is a our not so good tournament player, AKA Spurs killer.
Time moves on. Will be forever grateful for his pivotal role, in a bench role in 2022, albeit.
RIP. Mislav
Basic has missed 7 of last 10 games
Abductor injury – no ETA when return
Last game > month ago
But he’s on standby (like we need another central midfielder) while Jaga not on standby
Dumb
Jaga no jersey = no play PAO
Jaga Dalic says U21 on his stand by list = Jaga name not listed
Jaga getting short end of stick these days
Poor Jaga
Hang in their Jaga – we ❤️ ❤️ loves them you more than we love Punch 🐒 who we ❤️ endlessly
Yeah with no injuries to the midfield Basic isn’t needed.
There may be to the story about your boy, Jagusic. Maybe Coach Dalic has some inside information on him from his club coach. I hope Vuskovic shines at the 2 friendlies coming up, but can keep humility being so young. I am more worried how our midfield performs.
With Gvardiol missing, we will have an opportunity to make our final decision on the back line. Yes, I do like the idea of Stanisic-Gvardiol-Vuskovic- Jakic for now.
I am most hopefully to witness Baturina and Sucic growth and progression.
Gvardiol is going to push himself to play this Summer.
Lots of hype about him being well ahead of schedule
Is he actually healing or pushing too much?
It depends on the break.
He looked like he twisted his shin bone a bit when looking at the replay of his injury, which could mean it’s a messy break that would require more time to heal.
But if it turns out that it’s not a messy twisted break (and a clean one instead) then maybe he’ll be back in June.
Yeah that’s what I think.
Give me stojkovic. I have a feeling about him. He is the new star. I predict he will immediately adjust to international football and just keep getting better. Jaga has the package but needs a bit of time. Stojkovic is ready. Do it Dalic. Start him
He’s only on the standby list.
He probably won’t make the final tournament but I’m happy he’s back on the radar after having such a good season last year (especially since he was played at RW).
He’s got a great opportunity to be a part of the new youth movement with Sučić, Vušković, Jaga and Baturina.
Can’t Dalic change his mind b/w now and 23rd when they gather?
Let’s say Stojko keeps playing well 2-3 more games and Wedding Boy or Majer don’t play – can he change his mind?
Has this happened before??? I know a couple of times players arrived and Dalic said we send them hope bc need rest of injury blah blah blah
If he’s not calling Jaga (although he could play vs Columbia and still make Turkey U21 on 31st) and least call Stojko so we can enjoy something new
Yes stojkovic guys a konj but I love him!
I’ve always been a fan of Orsic, but they guy plays on the 4th place team in Cyprus and is not even a regular. He’s has 1 goal and 1 assist in 24 matches and he is 33 yrs old. He should not even be on the stand-by. Jaga should take his place on the stand by.
Bradaric is Sosa 2.0. Weak assed defender. We don’t need him.
The 26 Dalic picked are the best players we have at the moment. Two of them will be dropped when Kova and Gvardi are back from injury.
Livako
Jak – Vusko – Gvardi – Stani
Modric – Kova* – Susic
Krama – Buda – Perisic
*if Kova is not in form he’s dropped for Batu
I agree completely on Orsic. I’m not going to pretend like I watch the Cypriot league, but 1 goal in 24 matches? How could that possibly be enough to deserve a call-up?
Also agree that Jaga should’ve taken his place on stand-by. He’s not playing much now, but he has too much quality to fail in the Greek league. He’ll get his opportunity soon enough.
If I had to complain about one thing it would be no bradaric I mean why not try him?
The right side you have a lot of depth stanisic smolcic and Jakic. But if Gvardiol can’t go for WC then you slide Stanisic on LB but who’s he’s sub?
I would have brought Stojkovic too guys on fire. Fruk and majer have no place.
I don’t care Orsic didn’t get called, baturina is first sub for perisic. On the right probably you got Marco and Mario and vlasic not saying I love any of those 3 but that’s what dalic is gonna do.
Starting lineup is for WC
Stanisic
Sutalo
Vuskovic
Gvardiol
Kova
P.Sucic
Modric
Krama
Budimir
Perisic
Is it a bit better than 2024 yes but not by much. Perisic can actually run compared to 2024 Vušković upgrade over Pongracic and P.sucic in better form than 2024 Brozo.
We have a better bench more ready but that starting lineup will struggle to score goals.
Good enough to get out of group and that’s it. Maybe on the way Dalić makes changes if it goes sideways against England.
Agree with your lineup for the WC.
A few months back I would have said DCC instead of Vuskovic and this may still happen if Dalic decides to go for experience.
However, the way Vuskovic is performing in Bundesliga it will be difficult for Dalic not to play him in the starting 11? It may come down to how they perform in the upcoming friendlies and the actual form closer to the WC.
Every player called up for these friendlies should get at least 30 minutes of playing time so that we can see what they can do against strong opponents.
I agree with you 100 percent. I also strongly believe that any young player that has a shred of talent should be given an opportunity to play in these friendlies . What can it hurt ? We all need to face facts that this generation is coming to an end . Old man are not going to win anything. We need young fresh players to be integrated on the team now. Sad to say if the right group is not found and integrated we may see a serious decline in Repka where we fall to the bottom and don’t climb out .
It’s pretty much the squad we figured he’d select.
I don’t understand Zlatko’s fascination with Moro. It keeps Oršić on the stand-by list, a guy who provided valuable assists and goals in the last World Cup. Moro reminds me of Brekalo. A guy who looks intimidated on the National Team stage and has proved nothing in his brief time.
This has to be the weakest crop of goalie’s we’ve brought to either the World Cup or Euro’s. Dominik is back as a starter with Dinamo after collecting dust the last two years but it’s not with a top 10 league. If he gets hurt along the line, we’re screwed with the options available.
Mislav Orsic did not make the active roster. and hopefully it really bodes well, that we can dispose of the man with the tying assist against Brazil, the best spot kick of the Brazilian tie breaker, and the most beautiful winning goal of the tournament for the bronze medal of 2022.
Time moves on. Will be forever grateful for his pivotal role, in a bench role in 2022, albeit.
After his showing in 2022, he should have had a chance to demonstrate he deserved a honorary position one last time. Maybe he lost it, it happens to the best of all of us. This is Dalic’s Team one last time.
In disrespect and dismiss Croatia, they say that Croatia is a “Tournament” team, to explain our success. Maybe Mislav was a tournament player AKA Spurs killer.
RIP.
Good squad lots of depth take Fruk and Majer out and plug Kova and Gvardiol in and that’s your World Cup squad.
Wish valincic didn’t take a step back but he’s been Meh since his injury so I’m ok with it.
I am curious what will be the back line with Gvardiol injured sutalo out of form Vušković is new not a lot of continuity.
I don’t know what’s more risky jakic at RB or playing sutalo or pong but Jakic never really been tested at RB at a high level he never plays it at club and for us played it against weak competition. League of Nations also better competition but players going at 70% I’m a little scared playing jakic at RB against England. But I do love Jakic in general as a player. I would start Jakic in both upcoming games really test him against fast teams and make sure you’re comfortable playing him at WC in RB.
I think in a perfect world with Gvardiol healthy and sutalo not in a mental crisis Dalic would have went with
Stanisic sutalo vuskovic Gvardiol. But in the end it might be
Jakic. vuskovic Gvardiol Stanisic.
Regarding Saranic fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me. I don’t think anything of saranic until he does it in a real league. Had high hopes for guy scored so many goal as a kid. I don’t think he will ever play in a real league he had every opportunity with dinamo and then loaned to NK Bravo before dinamo gave up. I think he’s one of those players when in a slower league like youth and 2nd division is unreal but as soon as he losses that extra time in the pros is useless but will
See it is interesting.
I like Musa ,Matanovic are both called. Unless you plan to start Ivanovic in a specific system or role there’s no point at this time. He’s not a good winger and he doesn’t suit our style also if we are chasing goals you already have Mario pasalic and vlasic off the bench along with the other two strikers.
I like Marco Pasalic he’s never seems to be a defensive liability I think for a small guys he’s physical enough and he’s always been a spark off the bench. I think he is good enough to be win Europe and eventually will. We don’t need 11 superstars need a handful of game changers and the rest doing there role. In any way he probably plays very little if at all.