The Croatia World Cup 2022 squad reached the semi-finals for the second-successive tournament, beating Japan and Brazil on penalties en route to the final four.
Four years on from finishing as runners-up, though, and Croatia have to settle for a third-place play-off game against Morocco, instead of the showpiece World Cup final, after succumbing 3-0 to Argentina in the semis.
The small Eastern European nation have routinely punched above their weight at major tournaments, and they came into this World Cup full of confidence that they could go far once again – having made the final for the very first time in 2018, when they were beaten to the trophy by France.
With experienced stars like captain and main man Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic all still delivering at international level, and younger talents such as Josko Gvardiol and Lovro Majer now truly establishing themselves, boss Zlatko Dalic had plenty of reason for optimism heading into Qatar 2022.
And so far, so good for Croatia – who featured in the last four of the World Cup for the third time. Their victory over Japan followed a second-placed finish in Group F – where they conceded just one goal as they drew 0-0 with fellow semi-finalists Morocco, and Belgium, and comfortably dispatched Canada 4-1.
Nonetheless, there's a sense that Dalic's side failed to hit top gear – something they needed to get past an electric-looking Argentina side. Unfortunately, they're unable to avenge their 2018 loss against France, but settling for third-place isn't too bad, should they beat Morocco.
Croatia World Cup 2022 squad
Croatia World Cup 2022 squad: The final 26-player selection
- GK: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb)
- GK: Ivica Ivusic (Osijek)
- GK: Ivo Grbic (Atletico Madrid)
- DF: Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens)
- DF: Dejan Lovren (Zenit Saint Petersburg)
- DF: Borna Barisic (Rangers)
- DF: Josip Juranovic (Celtic)
- DF: Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig)
- DF: Borna Sosa (Stuttgart)
- DF: Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich)
- DF: Martin Erlic (Sassuolo)
- DF: Josip Sutalo (Dinamo Zagreb)
- MF: Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
- MF: Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea)
- MF: Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan)
- MF: Mario Pasalaic (Atalanta)
- MF: Nikola Vlasic (Torino)
- MF: Lovro Majer (Rennes)
- MF: Kristijan Jakic (Eintracht Frankfurt)
- MF: Luka Sucic (Red Bull Salzburg)
- FW: Ivan Perisic (Tottenham)
- FW: Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim)
- FW: Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb)
- FW: Mislav Orsic (Dinamo Zagreb)
- FW: Ante Budimir (Osasuna)
- FW: Marko Livaja (Hajduk Split)
Croatia top scorers
Croatia top scorers
Here are Croatia's World Cup 2022 top scorers so far...
2 goals: Andrej Kramaric
1 goal: Marko Livaja, Lovro Majer, Ivan Perisic, Bruno Petkovic
Croatia yellow cards
Croatia yellow cards
All World Cup 2022 yellow cards were wiped after the last 16, so Croatia currently have no players suspended.
1 yellow card (from quarter-finals onwards): Marcelo Brozovic, Bruno Petkovic
Croatia results
Croatia results
Here are Croatia's results at the 2022 World Cup up to this point...
Group stage:
D 0-0 vs Morocco
W 4-1 vs Canada
D 0-0 vs Belgium
Last 16:
D 1-1 vs Japan (won 3-1 on pens)
Croatia manager
Who is Croatia's manager for the 2022 World Cup?
Zlatko Dalic experienced success and hero worship in 2018, then humiliating losses and widespread criticism, only to emerge as the man who reunited the team after signs that complacency had taken hold in Euro 2020’s last-16 defeat to Spain. Whisper it, but lately he may even have settled on a tactical approach that suits the side best.
Croatia's star player
Who is Croatia's best player?
Luka Modric has seen whole generations pass through Croatia’s squad since his 2006 debut – eight major tournaments and more than 150 appearances later, he has remained the sole constant. This is still pretty much his team, as even the quickest of glances reveals. A vintage maestro at 37, the captain still calls the shots.
How many players have Croatia taken to the 2022 World Cup?
National managers were allowed to bring 26 players to last summer’s European Championship for the first time at a major tournament, as a special measure brought in due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was then announced that 26-player squads would return for the Qatar World Cup, an expansion from the usual 23-man selections.
