The Croatia national football team's 2026 World Cup campaign ended with a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the round of 32. The loss in Toronto on July 2nd concluded their tournament in North America. According to a report by Squawka, this marked Croatia's first knockout stage loss in normal time since the 1998 quarter-final against Germany.
Croatia currently sits second in their qualifying group with 6 points from three games, recording two wins and one loss. Their recent form across the last five matches is three wins and two losses, having lost the last two. The next challenge is an away fixture against Czechia on September 26th, with full details available on our fixtures page.
What was Croatia's route to the knockout stage?
Before meeting Portugal, Croatia secured two victories in the group stage. They beat Panama and Ghana but suffered a 4-2 loss to England. That win left England top of the group, and Croatia now trails them by just one point in the qualifying race. They scored 5 goals and conceded 5 in this phase of the competition. While they showed typical resilience, they couldn't extend their run of major tournament success following the 2018 final and 2022 third-place finish.
Who are the key players for the future?
Striker Andrej Kramaric remains a vital part of the attacking line. He has scored 36 goals for his country, including three at World Cups. He still trails the national record of 45 goals held by Davor Suker. Ivan Perisic, with 38 goals and 36 assists for Croatia, was also key during qualifying with four assists. In defence, young Luka Vuskovic stands out. The 18-year-old centre-back, on loan at Hamburg from Tottenham, already has four senior caps. He debuted in June against the Czech Republic and scored his first international goal against Colombia. For Hamburg this season, he recorded impressive numbers: 149 aerial duels won, 251 clearances, and 1,274 completed passes.
What is the tactical outlook for the squad?
Manager Zlatko Dalic has been in charge for over eight years. His experience and knowledge of the players are considered a major asset. "Nobody would bet against Croatia punching far above their weight again at this summer’s competition, especially given the experience and know-how Dalic brings to the role," the Squawka report stated. Dalic relies on specialists for specific situations. Ante Budimir is the penalty specialist, while the legendary Luka Modric takes charge of free-kicks and corners. In midfield, Petar Sucic, who joined Inter Milan from Dinamo Zagreb in the summer, shows defensive qualities. During qualifying, he averaged 3.8 tackles per 90 minutes, ranking him 16th overall. In Serie A, that average is 2.24 per 90.
What comes next for Croatia?
The focus now shifts to qualifying and building for the next cycle. The current goal difference of 0 (5 scored, 5 conceded) highlights a need for greater defensive solidity. The squad blends experienced campaigners with young talents like Vuskovic. Their next test is against Czechia in September, and you can track their standing on our standings page. While disappointment from the early exit is significant, the long-term perspective remains clear. Dalic and his staff must find the right balance to keep Croatia competitive on the international stage.
