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 have, and now is the time to support the boys and get excited about the wonderful summer ahead.
All signs indicate that Dalić will use 3 center-backs in the tournament opener against England, so expect this formation against Belgium tomorrow.
Defence
Joško Gvardiol is back from injury at the perfect time, and Luka Vuškovic is coming off a dominant campaign in the Bundesliga as one of the best defenders in the world, let alone under the age of 21. These are the untouchables. The debate comes between having Stanišić in as a center-back or whether Dalić will opt to play him in the RWB role and slot Josip Šutalo in at CB. Considering Šutalo’s stagnant form at Ajax, perhaps Dalić plays the Bayern man at the back and utilizes Marco Pašalić‘s speed and work ethic in the wingback role. Ivan Perišić is the obvious choice at LWB. Let’s hope for another big tournament from him.
Midfield
The midfield pivot is a tricky decision. The masked man, Luka Modrić, is naturally a lock. But who will Dalić choose: a recently healthy Mateo Kovačić or a rising superstar in Petar Sučić? I think for Belgium he’ll go with the more in-form option in Sučić, but definitely expect a strong 30 minutes from Kovačić off the bench. The Kovačić-Sučić debate for the England match will come soon…
Attack
The two CAMs are quite obvious at this stage. Dalić trusts the veteran Andrej Kramarić, whose prolific goalscoring led Croatia to the World Cup. Despite his valuable goalscoring threat, he does struggle in certain matchups, especially against fast and physical teams like Belgium (and England). Should he struggle, Croatia definitely have talented options off the bench. The other attacking midfielder to his left would be Martin Baturina. Following an exceptional resurgence with Como, aiding them to a top-4 Serie A finish and Champions League debut next season, Baturina has cemented himself a starting spot with the Vatreni. However, he still has yet to leave a dominant impression in the checkered kit. Now’s the time, Bati!
Finally, expect Ante Budimir to slot into the 9 role. His goalscoring record for Croatia is weak, but his aerial threat can be an asset, and our lack of elite options up top makes him a starter going into the World Cup. However, Petar Musa and Igor Matanović are in great form and showed solid displays in the March friendlies. Do not be surprised to see them get good minutes off the bench and potentially usurp Budimir’s spot in the US this summer, should he struggle.
This match is a great opportunity for the squad to stretch their legs and prepare tactically for England in just over 2 weeks. Do you expect Dalić to roll out the A squad? Should he stick to 3 or 4 at the back? What are your predictions?
Brazil 6 – 2 Panama.
Kind of worrying they got 2 goals against Brazil.
GK Livaković, RB/RCB Stanišić, CB Vušković, LCB Gvardiol, LB/WB Perišić, CM Modrić, CM Petar Sučić, CM Kovačić (or Luka Sučić), LAM/LW Baturina, RW/WB Marco Pašalić, ST Musa.
Can be either a 352 or 433 if Perisic tracks back to left back off the ball when defending in your own half. (Or 343 or 4231 if Luka Sučić starts over Kova). The holding midfield line of modric, Kovacic and Petar Sucic prevent turnovers and more control making the back 3 stronger, plus they stay deeper and more disciplined anyway. Having the cb defensive ability of those 3 with 2 wingbacks in Perisic and Marco and 2 midfield partners is better for 40 year old modric anyways. Marco pasalic at RW or WB is tracking back either way and LB or LW Perisic is going wide either way.
Kramaric and budimir are not a great duo, Baturina and Musa should be tried together with Marco on the right, Perisic keeping width overlapping Baturina on the left, and either Luka Sucic starting over Kovacic in that right half space or keeping the holding midfield line of 3 allowing either modrić to dribble in that half space or playmake, Baturina to shift more central/right half space and Gvardiol steps from back 3 to attack like a second striker with Baturina being more advanced playmaker, or Petar Sucic just crashing the box, while only 1 of modric, Gvardiol or Petar Sucic fill that half space, the other 2 stay back and fill rest defence.
Modrić with P. Sucic and Kova gives that 2022 complete midfield control in holding areas or Luka Sucic in Kova out gives 2018 midfield with Rakitic like box to box long range goal threat, depends what you need. Baturina needs an attacking outlet, Musa is perfect with his finishing, pace and phyciality allowing him to score in more scenarios than Kramaric.
There’s potential for better value out of kramarić as a sub, he struggles to playmake and create, he isn’t very quick at all, doesn’t really dribble players, not physical like a striker, he just kinda poaches which is fine vs unorganized defences but really struggles against strong defences. When Croatia speeds up play and causes more chaos in the box then he can get value but he won’t be the one to create the chaos, the problem is he’s taking a spot from wing players or midfield. He can’t start as the #10 because modrić and Petar Sucic can’t anchor midfield without a 3rd true midfielder and we have way too many good midfielders to start a forward in midfield 3, he can’t start striker since he isn’t physical enough, he can’t go on the wing as he doesn’t have the pace or technical ability, he also can’t play more than 60 minutes effectively. All of this screams as a sub, if he can be subbed on deliberately late game when defences are more fatigued and a clear weakness is found later rather than experimenting for 60 minutes then losing gas and it being too late once you can finally do something about it, also when chasing a goal, preferable striker partner is matanović subbed on not budimir since budimir wants to poach the same areas as Kramaric and they clash the same areas in the box, then I can see the Croatia attack functioning much stronger. Matanovic likes getting others involved and krama prefers to not touch the ball until receiving in the box, they’re the clear partnership. Also now Kramaric can take a penalty in the shootout later in the tournament which he is a penalty kick specialist like Vlasic. Matanovic also important if the striker gets too isolated from the ball, he has the ability to recieve it and keep possession while linking up.
Budimir better if you need him to create space for attacking mids and wingers to score like Luka Sucic or Marco pasalic, etc, or like how modric did vs Italy. Budimir has certain matchups and moments to be utilized, possibly even start, like Joselu in 2024 for Real Madrid. Dalić has to plug the correct ST for the particular tactics and game, I think overall it’s best to start Musa most instances as it plays to our strengths and allows us to start strong with a striker in top form, able to counter attack with pace, press, link up well, be a physically strong target player but most importantly be a very clinical striker without being overly chance reliant. Half chances or just getting the ball in the box can result in a goal with this guy, unlike previous strikers who need to be served on a silver platter. Not to mention having an elite advanced playmaker in Baturina and Perisic crossing+marco playmaking, even modrić getting involved, Gvardiol potentially supporting him, Petar crashing the box in case he can’t get it too.
Basically the best team for Croatia is the lineup vs Faroe Islands when they won 3-1 except Kramaric and Mario Pasalic out and Baturina and Kovacic in. Could argue Luka Sucic over Kova tho for more long range scoring and attacking while keeping a true midfielder to support modric.
Too bad the likes of Segečić couldn’t be the Oršić replacement off the bench to sub Marco Pasalic or even Baturina. Quality attacking mids like Majer, Jagušić, Stoijković also would have capitalized on Budimir space creation all as subs too. Mlačić would have been a decent sub too to rest Gvardiol here and there. The bench is a little light this year even though it could have been better with many in form attacking mids, strikers and cb’s. Shame.
Clear subs are Budimir/Matanović ST, Jakić RB for Perišić and stanisic going left back for a back 4, Luka Sucic/Kovacic going in for whoever didn’t start, Moro for Modrić, then last one either defensive or offensive depending on the score or needing to rest someone, probably Fruk in for Marco pasalic or Kramaric in for Baturina, but only when the striker is subbed out too. For defence Mlačić for Gvardiol or Erlic for Vuskovic would have been fine subs just to rest them but it will probably be Šutalo.
We needed Stojkovic or Segecic to be an Orsic Wildcard. They could have replaced many players who names you won’t remember in 4 years.
As bad as Croatia was in producing goals in 2022 Cup, we fortunately had the most underrated undervalued Mislav Orsic to save the world cup from an forgettable event to a great historical remembrance. Without these underrated undeserving untested players with fire power included this year, our run will be short this year, unless Baturina and Petar Sucic really play out of their shoes, and become the players we hope they are.
Not really newsworthy but Alexandria Soccer Association (young kids) is doing a friendly training session with the team June 10th at Episcopal High School. Muska Klapa will be there June 6th part of a Croatian cultural event on the waterfront neat the team hotel. I think the association of Croatian American professionals is doing something but dont quote me on that.
Can’t figure out the fixation on Ante Budimir. If it was a popularity contest I would choose Ante. He is a gentleman, scholar, and all-around great guy, someone you would want your sister or daughter to marry. But he should be 3rd in depth on the NT roster, based on NT production to date vs opportunities in the last 4 years, and his current 7-game scoring drought, outside of NT play.
Last time I check Musa scored more goals than Messi in the MSL, at a blazing Vatreni rate of a goal a game. The starting role should be his to lose, and Matanovic his back up.
We need blazing guys that shoot on frame. We have them, but we don’t even pick them for the roster or for the starting position. Let’s move on why don’t we.
In 2022, the score was 0-0 against Russia to provide a goal for Croatia at the 87 minute for us to even be in the World Cup. We proceeded to a 0-0 score with Morrocco, 0-0 Belgium, 0-0 Brazil after 90 min of play.
There is hundred good reasons to not pick clearly the best player for the 9 position, but I only have one good reason to pick them, if the answer is scoring more goals than your opponent. Meanwhile are most blazing players, are either on the bench, or for other attacking positions sitting at home with their families.
I’ve never understood the Budimir hate up top. His 2022 WC Qualifier form not withstanding, the man has been consistently threatening for us.
It was him who spearheaded our attack against Spain in the 2021 Euros by bullying Laporte and their other back, it was him who created the opportunity for Modric score against Italy in the last Euros.
Even when Budimir isn’t scoring he is still providing our team with dangerous opportunities. He should absolutely be our starting striker, with Matanovic and Musa as substitute options.
I’d like to see Ivor Pandur get some action before the World Cup.. he might be in the best form of any goalie we currently have (also I wanna see what his clearances look like with the national team )
Pandur seems like a very exciting player in the particular way he plays the position, for the future no doubt. Would be nice to see him incorporated in the friendlies. I don’t’ think he is all inked up which is always a nice surprise.
Livakovic still has tread on his tires to burn, and he is still the man.
It’s crazy perisic does not have picture in the lineup generator …
One of the mysteries of the universe. Seriously baffling.
Completely ridiculous. In fact, he used to be impossible to select. Wasn’t even in their database…
That is what you get for quietly doing your job with no fanfare
Just use FOTMOB lineup builder.
Looks nicer anyway.