The Croatia National Football team is placed in ‘Group F’ with Belgium, Canada and Morocco. As per schedule, the team is expected to compete against Morocco in their opening match in Group G on 23 November 2022 for the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Team of Croatia
On presenting their incredible form and potential, the Croatia team is expected to put all their efforts in order to achieve the title this year. However, the team’s recent performances and outcomes have raised the hopes and expectations of its fans and supporters. The team is often recognised by the names like Vatreni (The Blazers), and Kockasti (The Checkered Ones). As per reports, the team is led by the head coach, Zlatko Dalic who was appointed for the position in the year of 2017.
According to reports, the team has played numerous important matches since the year of 1994. They played in the qualifying campaign for the UEFA Euro 1996. Later, they also competed in their first FIFA World Cup, achieving third place in 1998. Moreover, they are also one of three teams to be named as FIFA Best Mover of the Year more than once. Although they lost the final to France in 2018, a second place finish with Croatia was a very big achievement for Zlatko Dalic.
Croatia’s Group F Fixtures for FIFA World Cup 2022:
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- 23 November – Croatia vs Morocco
- 27 November – Croatia vs Canada
- 1 December – Croatia vs Belgium
Squad of Croatia
The complete list of 26-man squad of the FIFA World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivica Ivusic (NK Osijek), Ivo Grbic (Atletico Madrid).
Defenders: Dejan Lovren (Zenit St Petersburg), Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens), Borna Barisic (Rangers), Josip Juranovic (Celtic), Borna Sosa (Stuttgart), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Martin Erlic (Sassuolo), Josip Sutalo (Dinamo Zagreb), Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig).
Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino – on loan from West Ham United), Lovro Majer (Stade Rennais), Kristijan Jakic (Eintracht Frankfurt), Luka Sucic (RB Salzburg).
Forwards: Ivan Perisic (Tottenham Hotspur), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Mislav Orsic, Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marko Livaja (Hajduk Split).
Probable Top Picks for FIFA World Cup 2022:
- Marcelo Brozovic (Midfielder)
The midfielder is considered by the team as one of their biggest support and strength. Marcelo generally plays as a defensive midfielder for Serie A club Inter Milan, as well as the Croatia National team. According to reports, he has managed to represent his nation at the 2014 and 2018 editions of FIFA World Cup. Moreover, he was successful in putting forward his nation at the UEFA Euro (2016 and 2020). Also, the player is widely recognised as one of the best defensive midfielders, as a result of his extraordinary strides over the years.
- Ivan Perisic (Forward)
The player’s incredible form and stunning performances managed to grab a seat for himself in the upcoming World Cup. However, Ivan is said to have the capability of lifting his team from the initial stages, just how he managed to do during the last UEFA European Championship. According to reports, the winger started his journey with the Croatia National team in the year of 2011. Later, he successfully represented his nation at the World Cups of 2014 and 2018, as well as managed to reach the final of 2018 edition of World Cup. Ivan with maximum goals achieved at numerous tournaments, is considered as the first Croatian player ever to score in a World Cup final.
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- Luka Modric (Midfielder)
One of the multi-faceted players, Luka Modric is said to possess extraordinary skills like exquisite ball control, also a phenomenal distributor as well as a finisher. According to reports, he managed to achieve several honours, one of them includes the “Best FIFA Men’s Player Award” in 2018. His excellent guidance and leadership will be a strong point for the team in the FIFA World Cup.
- Dominik Livakovic (Goalkeeper)
The goalkeeper plays for Prva HNL club Dinamo Zagreb and the Croatia National team. In the previous FIFA World Cup, he was placed among those 32 team members, and the team also managed to finish as the runners-up. According to reports, Livakovic became the first choice goalkeeper during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, and his contributions are expected to contribute a lot in the future.
- Mateo Kovacic (Midfielder)
The midfielder is considered as an outstanding tackler for his amazing techniques of transforming loose balls into opportunities. However, in the last World Cup he managed to present his potential, thereby becoming one of the pivotal performers of Croatia Football team. Moreover, the three players’ (Brozovic, Modric and Kovacic) skills and performing qualities will be beneficial for the team.
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