📋 Overview
Croatia, runners-up in 2018 and third-place finishers in 2022 — a remarkable record for a nation of under 4 million people — head to FIFA 2026 in Group L alongside England, Ghana and Panama. With Luka Modrić likely playing his final World Cup at 40, Croatia's golden generation looks for one final push, opening against England in a repeat of their dramatic 2018 semi-final.
🏆 Qualification
- Status Qualified
- Group L
- How they got there Qualified automatically as UEFA group winner
- FIFA Ranking context Mid-tier seed but with proven tournament pedigree — perennial over-achievers
📖 World Cup History
| Appearances | 6 |
| Best Finish | Runners-up (2018) |
| Last Appearance | 2022 (third place) |
| 2022 Result | Beat Morocco to finish third — their second consecutive top-4 finish |
👔 Manager & Captain
- Manager Zlatko Dalić
- Captain Luka Modrić
- Playing Style Technical midfield-dominant football with experienced game management
⭐ Key Players to Watch
Luka Modrić, one of the greatest midfielders of his generation and a Ballon d'Or winner, continues to defy age as Croatia's leader. Despite a small population, Croatia's golden generation — including players who reached two consecutive World Cup top-4 finishes — remains a tournament force.
Luka ModrićJoško GvardiolMateo KovačićAndrej KramarićJosip Šutalo
📅 Group L Fixtures
Group L: Croatia vs England
Group L: Croatia vs Ghana
Group L: Croatia vs Panama
Croatia's opener against England is a rematch of the dramatic 2018 World Cup semi-final, which Croatia won in extra time. Croatia have repeatedly punched above their weight at major tournaments and will fancy their chances of another deep run, with Ghana and Panama offering winnable points alongside the England clash.
🌍 Why Fans in Bangladesh Should Watch Croatia
Croatia's back-to-back top-4 finishes (runners-up 2018, third 2022) from a country of under 4 million people is one of the great modern sporting stories — and Luka Modrić, almost certainly playing his final World Cup, remains a joy to watch even at 40. The Croatia-England rematch carries genuine history given their 2018 semi-final classic.
📺 How to Follow Croatia at FIFA 2026
Croatia matches will be shown on T Sports and Sony Sports in Bangladesh, with the Croatia vs England opener as essential viewing given the historical context of their 2018 semi-final meeting.
❓ FAQ — Croatia at FIFA 2026
How has Croatia been so successful despite its small population?
Croatia, with a population of under 4 million, has reached the World Cup final (2018) and finished third (2022) in consecutive tournaments — an extraordinary achievement attributed to a strong domestic football culture, excellent youth development, and a golden generation of players including Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić and others who matured together.
What happened in the 2018 Croatia vs England semi-final?
England took an early lead through Kieran Trippier's free kick in the 2018 World Cup semi-final, but Croatia equalised and went on to win 2-1 in extra time, reaching their first-ever World Cup final. This match remains a significant part of both nations' recent football history, making their FIFA 2026 group-stage reunion notable.
When does FIFA World Cup 2026 start?
FIFA World Cup 2026 runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, hosted across 16 cities in the USA, Mexico and Canada — the first-ever 48-team World Cup, with the Final at MetLife Stadium, New York.