Luka Modrić has confirmed he will continue his international career with the Croatia national team for the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign. His decision puts retirement speculation on hold and provides a major boost to a squad entering a new era under head coach Slaven Bilić.
Croatia will begin their Nations League journey on Tuesday, September 26, with an away match against Czechia. This is the first of four fixtures in the September-October window, which also includes a trip to Spain on September 29, followed by a home game against England in Rijeka on October 3 and hosting Spain in Split on October 6. League A, Group 3 is one of the most challenging.
A New Era Under Bilić
Following Zlatko Dalić's departure after the 2026 World Cup, the Croatian Football Federation brought back Slaven Bilić for a second spell in charge. Bilić now takes over a team in a transitional phase but with clear objectives. Their last result was a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in early July, with their overall form in the last five matches reading three wins and two defeats.
Modrić's choice to continue is key for stability at this moment. With 202 caps for his country, his experience and leadership will be invaluable for younger players in the squad. The captain stated he is motivated by the challenges of the new Nations League and wants to be part of the process under Bilić.
The team enters this important window without the injured defender Josip Juranović and centre-back Martin Erlić. Their absence presents a challenge for Bilić's plans, particularly in defence. The coach noted he will have to rely on a mix of experience and young talent to compensate for these losses.
The first test of this new beginning comes on Tuesday in Czechia, followed swiftly by a demanding match in Spain. Bilić and his players have an immediate opportunity to set the tone for their entire campaign in the top-tier League A. The manager emphasized that the goal is to get a good result in Prague to build momentum for the match against Spain. Modrić said the team is aware of the difficulty of the group but is looking forward to the chance to compete against Europe's best.
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