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.
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.
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.
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.