MX23RW : Tuesday, April 18 03:02:32| >> :600:1076144:1076144:

Luka Modric headlines Croatia World Cup squad

Luka Modric headlines Croatia World Cup squad
© Reuters
Zlatko Dalic confirms his Croatia squad for the upcoming World Cup with Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric the star name in the 26-player group.

Zlatko Dalic has named his Croatia squad for the upcoming World Cup with Luka Modric, as expected, the star name in the 26-man group.

The Real Madrid midfielder won the 2018 Ballon d'Or on the back of helping his nation to their first-ever World Cup final four years ago, and the 37-year-old will hope to produce similar level of performances in Qatar.

There are minimal shocks in the squad with Southampton defender Duje Caleta-Car the highest-profile name to miss out despite having 23 caps to his name.

Rangers forward Antonio Colak would have also been hopeful of inclusion given his club form, but possessing just three caps has counted against him, while playmaker Josip Brekalo also misses out having played just nine minutes of football since the back end of September.

There are just two representatives from the Premier League with Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic and versatile Tottenham Hotspur wide player Ivan Perisic being provided with tickets for the plane.

Croatia players celebrate in the Nations League in September 2022© Reuters

Josip Juranovic and Borna Barisic - of Celtic and Rangers respectively - both feature, as does in-demand RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol and former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren.

Inter Milan's Marcelo Brozovic and Atalanta BC's Mario Pasalic add further quality in central midfield, while there is nothing but experienced heads in the attack.

Six of Croatia's seven forward players are aged between 28 and 33, with only 25-year-old Nikola Vlasic lowering the average age in the final third.

There are also four Dinano Zagreb representatives with Dominik Livakovic, Josip Sutalo, Bruno Petkovic and Mislav Orsic also earning opportunities.

Croatia have been drawn in a group with Belgium, Canada and Morocco, with their campaign getting underway on November 23 when they square off against the latter.



Croatia's 2022 World Cup squad in full

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivica Ivusic (Osijek), Ivo Grbic (Atletico Madrid)

Defenders: Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens), Dejan Lovren (Zenit St Petersburg), Borna Barisic (Rangers), Josip Juranovic (Celtic), Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig), Borna Sosa (Stuttgart), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Martin Erlic (Sassuolo), Josip Sutalo (Dinamo Zagreb)

Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta BC), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Lovro Majer (Rennes), Kristijan Jakic (Eintracht Frankfurt), Luka Sucic (Red Bull Salzburg)

Attackers: Ivan Perisic (Tottenham Hotspur), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Mislav Orsic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marko Livaja (Hajduk Split)

ID:499286:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6034:

Click here for more stories about Zlatko Dalic

Click here for more stories about Croatia

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Gavi after winning the Kopa trophy on October 17, 2022
Read Next:
Final Kopa Trophy rankings: Where did Bellingham, Saka finish?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal31235374314374
2Manchester CityMan City30224478285070
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd3018574637959
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle301511448242456
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs311651057451253
6Aston Villa31155114440450
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29147854371749
8Liverpool30138956362047
9Brentford31101384742543
10Fulham30126124241142
11Chelsea31109123033-339
12Crystal Palace3199133140-936
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves3197152642-1634
14Bournemouth3196163159-2833
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham3087152941-1231
16Leeds UnitedLeeds3178164060-2029
17Everton3169162446-2227
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3169162456-3227
19Leicester CityLeicester3174204155-1425
20Southampton3165202453-2923

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!