Luka Modric will continue his international career with Croatia, and Slaven Bilic has returned as the national team manager. The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) confirmed on Saturday, September 5th, that the captain remains available for the upcoming Nations League matches, as reported by Straits Times Sport and BBC Sport.
The team currently sits second in their World Cup qualifying group with six points from three games, and their recent form across the last five matches shows three wins and two losses. Their goal difference is level, with five scored and five conceded, and they trail group leaders England by just a single point. Their next fixture is an away match against Czechia on September 26th.
Why is Modric's decision so significant?
The experience and quality of Luka Modric will be invaluable for the team's younger generation of players. According to the BBC Sport report, his decision to continue playing is closely tied to the return of Slaven Bilic as manager. Bilic was in charge when Modric made his senior debut for Croatia back in 2006.
"Luka's decision makes me extremely happy, we are all aware what he brings to Croatia, both on and off the pitch," Bilic told Reuters. Modric, who turns 41 on Wednesday, has over 200 caps for his country. His presence will be key in a tough Nations League group that features two games against Spain and a match with England.
What does Bilic's appointment mean for the team?
Slaven Bilic takes over the national team after Zlatko Dalic departed following their Round of 32 exit at the World Cup. Bilic returns to the helm after 14 years, with his first spell highlighted by a successful Euro 2008 campaign. His comeback brings fresh impetus and ambition.
"I'm looking forward to working with him again, after 14 years, and we both share a strong ambition to keep Croatia a top, successful team, shoulder to shoulder with the best teams in the world," stated Bilic. His first challenge will be preparing the squad for the October Nations League fixtures, and you can find the full schedule on our fixtures page.
What does the Nations League schedule look like?
Croatia faces a demanding run of matches in September and October. After visiting Czechia on September 26th, they travel to face Spain four days later. In October, on the 3rd, the team will host England in Zagreb, with the return fixture at Wembley scheduled for November 12th.
These games represent an excellent test ahead of the resumption of 2026 World Cup qualifying. You can follow the current standings and statistics on the standings page. The team's last result was a 2-1 loss to Portugal in July, marking their second consecutive defeat. Bilic and Modric will be tasked with reversing that trend.
Who else is in contention for a squad place?
Beyond Modric, Bilic will also rely on other experienced players and promising talents who have impressed at their clubs. The squad composition and current form of individual players are vital for success in the upcoming challenges. A detailed list of all players available to the new manager is on the squad page.
The first chance to see Bilic's Croatia in action will be in just over three weeks, away in Prague against Czechia.
