Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Vatreni compete in Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Manager Zlatko Dalić, captain Luka Modrić. UEFA qualifier.
Croatia's outlook at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Sitting at FIFA #12, Croatia are firmly in the "dark horse" tier — capable of a deep knockout run if the draw and form align.
Croatia is the highest-ranked side in Group L (avg. opponent rank #39). They are expected to top the group, but Italy and Honduras are realistic challengers.
The 2026 tournament uses an expanded 48-team, 12-group format with a new Round of 32. That changes the maths for Croatia: the top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance, so even a third-place finish in Group L is often enough to reach the knockouts. The first Croatia match of the World Cup is scheduled for Thursday, June 18 against Italy at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Croatia 2026 World Cup fixtures
Players to watch
Get every player's stats - goals, assists, cards, minutes, xG - via the player stats endpoint for competition_id={COMPETITION_ID}.
Croatia World Cup history
Croatia have appeared at 7 previous FIFA World Cups. Their best finish remains Runner-up (2018). Across the last five tournaments they recorded: 3rd, Runner-up, R16, R16, Group.
Get Croatia data via API
// Fetch Croatia World Cup 2026 matches
const response = await fetch(
'https://api.thestatsapi.com/api/football/matches?competition_id={COMPETITION_ID}&team=croatia',
{ headers: { 'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' } }
);
const { data } = await response.json();Frequently Asked Questions
What group is Croatia in at the 2026 World Cup?
Croatia is in Group L alongside Italy, Honduras, Norway. The average opponent FIFA ranking in Group L is #39.
Who is Croatia's manager at the 2026 World Cup?
Zlatko Dalić manages Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Luka Modrić as captain.
What is Croatia's best World Cup finish?
Croatia's best FIFA World Cup finish is Runner-up (2018). They have appeared in 7 previous World Cup tournaments. Recent form: 3rd, Runner-up, R16, R16, Group.
Who are Croatia's key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Captain Luka Modrić leads a squad whose standout names include Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Joško Gvardiol. The full 26-player squad is named approximately one week before the opening match.
How did Croatia qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
UEFA qualifier. They came through the UEFA qualifying pathway.
What is Croatia's current FIFA Ranking?
Croatia are ranked #12 in the world by FIFA at the time of the 2026 World Cup draw. Sitting at FIFA #12, Croatia are firmly in the "dark horse" tier — capable of a deep knockout run if the draw and form align.
What are Croatia's chances of winning the 2026 World Cup?
Croatia is the highest-ranked side in Group L (avg. opponent rank #39). They are expected to top the group, but Italy and Honduras are realistic challengers. Sitting at FIFA #12, Croatia are firmly in the "dark horse" tier — capable of a deep knockout run if the draw and form align.
How can I get Croatia fixtures and stats via API?
Use TheStatsAPI matches endpoint with competition_id={COMPETITION_ID} and filter by team_id to get all Croatia World Cup 2026 fixtures, lineups, live scores, in-play events, xG, and player-level stats. The same endpoint also returns historical World Cup data for Croatia going back to their first tournament.
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