Luka Modric to play fifth World Cup as Croatia name 26-man squad | OneFootball

Head coach Zlatko Dalic named a 26-man squad for this summer's World Cup, with captain Luka Modric, 40, included for a fifth finals despite a recent fractured cheekbone.

Croatia are in Group L with England, Ghana and Panama. They were runners-up in 2018 and finished third in 2022. The finals will be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Dalic kept faith with established pillars including goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, defender Josko Gvardiol, midfielders Mateo Kovacic and Mario Pasalic, and forwards Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric. He also turned to youth with Luka Vuskovic, Petar Sucic and Martin Baturina named.

None of the call-ups played in Ligue 1 this season, with Lyon's Duje Caleta-Car spending the campaign on loan at Real Sociedad. A further seven players were placed on standby.

The reserves include Lovro Majer, along with Franjo Ivanovic and Dinamo Zagreb forward Dion Beljo, who scored 31 goals in 35 matches.

Source: L'Équipe