Croatia name 2026 World Cup squad with strong Bundesliga presence | OneFootball

Croatia have named their 2026 World Cup squad, with Zlatko Dalić leaning on a strong Bundesliga core for North America this summer.

According to BuLi News, the list, released on Monday morning, includes Josip Stanišić, Luka Vušković, Kristijan Jakić, Andrej Kramarić and Igor Matanović among five Bundesliga selections.

Stanišić impressed for champions Bayern Munich, making 26 Bundesliga appearances with two goals and three assists. He played all 90 minutes of the 2022 third place match against Morocco.

Vušković has been a breakout at HSV after joining on loan from Spurs last summer. Despite his inexperience, he has quickly become one of the league’s standout defenders. This is his first World Cup.

Jakić has battled injuries, limiting the Augsburg midfielder to 18 starts, yet he brings experience. In 2022 with Eintracht Frankfurt, he, like Stanišić, did not feature until the final game.

Kramarić’s inclusion was expected. He turns 35 two days after Croatia’s opener and is fresh from 14 goals and six assists for Europa League qualifiers Hoffenheim.

Matanović’s first full Bundesliga season at SC Freiburg brought 11 league goals. He also helped them reach the Europa League Final, where they will face Aston Villa.

There are further Bundesliga ties, with Joško Gvardiol formerly of RB Leipzig and Marin Pongračić previously at Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund. Ivan Perišić, Marco Pašalić, Petar Musa and Ante Budimir also had spells in Germany.

Croatia begin their World Cup campaign against England on 17 June.

Source: BuLi News