Zlatko Dalić has released his squad for the Vatreni’s upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Gibraltar and Czechia in June.
Dalić absolutely nailed it with this roster. The head coach features a solid mix of young and old, and June should see 18-year-old defensive phenomenon Luka Vušković make his debut with the senior National Team. Rijeka standout Toni Fruk also made the list after a marvelous season in HNL play. Orlando winger Marco Pašalić missed the cut despite his strong form in the MLS, yet it would be difficult to include him over the likes of Ivanović and Fruk.
Are you happy with Dalić’s decisions? Personally, I am thrilled to see this squad in action.
If you’re olic, how do you not call up vinko rozic? This guy is perhaps the best under 21 winger we have at the moment besides crnac, and he didn’t even call up crnac. E budala
Cut off was born 2024 or after
Crnac, Rozic, Listica, etc born 2003
Also, Rozic last played Bosnia U21 after playing Croatia U19, U17 and U16 so guess there’s a risk Bosnia senior caps him before we do given they keep losing talent to us – but no idea where his preference is
Olic is not a proper coach, not much more to it than that.
Good to see Luka Vuskovic get a call up and also Majer back in the squad.
Personally, I think we have too many midfielders and I would have preferred that Marco Pasalic was on the list as an additional forward.
The match on 9 June in Osijek against Chechia is a huge match and one that we must win.
I agree there are way too many midfielders, and not enough people upfront again. Someone did say that he may still call up Marco Pašalić but was waiting for permission from the club, due to conflicting schedules with his season at the club.
We are playing the 196 ranked team in the world and he brings the “A” squad.
This is the type of game you treat as a friendly and play all young players or the fringe players.
Why not call up a Kulenovic, Frigan, Pjaca, Stojkovic, Hrgovic, Durdov or Musa. Do we really need to have Modric, Kramaric & Perisic all called up for this game?
What have DCC & Moro done to deserve a call up? They are bench players for mid table teams.
The squad is for TWO matches.
You cannot omit players on mass from the list for the match against Gibraltar and then bring them back for the next three days later. I’m pretty much certain that this is not allowed. If someone is injured in the first match, then I think you can replace them with the players on the standby list.
I forgot that this squad is for both games….but still Modric, Krama, Perisic should sit on the bench. Let the young players gain some experience. If we make the World Cup we will probably have the oldest team in history….embarrassing.
DCC and Moro are not terrible players. I think a better way to put it is where are the gaps on the squad? I think that the gaps are definitely up front. We need more wingers and forwards to be honest, and we always have a cluttered midfield on the list.
Regardless of the opponent, you don’t experiment in a WC Qualifiers
Just wanted to chime in and say a huge Congrats to Ante and all the best for the future buddy, well done !
Congratulations Ante
About time
When are we having tiny Kvartucs running around in their little soccer boots
I like the roster. Goalkeepers: Livaković and Kotarski are obviously the two playing at the highest level who are in form. Ivušić is a great backup keeper as he’s always performed very well when called upon. Defenders: good choices of in-form players, with Vušković now on board and DCC having shown excellent leadership since his return to the team, Pongračić, Stanišić, Gvardiol and Juranović all able to cover more than one position helps. Midfielders: all in-form players, all excellent. Forwards: Budimir is a must, Perišić a must, Ivanović a must, and Kramarić is a great midfielder but Fruk is a good forward. The only question is whether Marco Pašalić is allowed to play and if not, which of Marko Pjaca or Mislav Oršić rejoins the team.
Dalic said in the press conference he wants to call up Marco Pasalic but he is waiting for Orlando to approve it (as he would miss MLS games)
🤞
Congratulations Ante!!
Many years of happiness and health
Vuskovic’s height so far hasn’t been a bust for him so far
Marco Pasalic might still be called Dalic needs to convince Orlando coach to release him – he said this in the press conference today !
Would be a funny if Dalic finally starts Marco if he can get him bc of this “treat ‘em mean, keep ‘em keen” hard work needed to get him this time around (vs Marco “throwing himself” at Dalic previously)
#EveryWingerMatters
Apologies for the 10-day break on the website, Ante had his wedding in Florida! Huge congrats to our chief editor and his wife on their marriage!
We’re back in action now!!
No worries. Congrats to Ante!