Zlatko Dalic steps down as Croatia head coach after round of 32 defeat to Portugal

In partnership with

OffsAIde

·9 July 2026

Zlatko Dalic steps down as Croatia head coach after round of 32 defeat to Portugal

Zlatko Dalic has left his role as Croatia head coach after nearly nine years in charge, following their 2-1 World Cup round of 32 defeat to Portugal.

According to L'Équipe, the decision follows that elimination, which came against a backdrop of refereeing controversy. Croatia will have a new head coach.

OneFootball Videos

Dalic took charge in October 2017, replacing Ante Cacic for the final match of 2018 World Cup qualifying. Croatia beat Ukraine in that decisive fixture to reach the play-offs, then qualified for the finals.

They advanced to the 2018 final, losing 4-2 to France, the best result in the nation’s World Cup history.

He later guided Croatia to third place at the 2022 World Cup and to the Nations League final in 2023.

Source: L'Équipe