Zlatko Dalic announced his resignation after nine years at the helm of Croatia, stepping down following a 2-1 knockout loss to Portugal at the 2026 World Cup. Dalic, who guided the side to the 2018 final and a third‑place finish in 2022, oversaw a mixed tournament: a 4-2 defeat to England, victories over Panama (2-0) and Ghana (3-2), then the late‑minute goal by Goncalo Ramos that ended Croatia's run.

The coach's tenure also included a last‑16 exit at the delayed Euro 2020, a failure to reach the Euro 2024 knockout stage, and a runners‑up finish in the 2023 Nations League. At 59, Dalic leaves a legacy of two World Cup finals appearances and consistent qualification for major tournaments.

Captain Luka Modrić, now 40, is likely to play his final major tournament, signaling a generational shift. Croatia must now appoint a successor who can rebuild around emerging talent while maintaining the competitive standards set over the past decade. The timing forces the federation to act quickly ahead of the next qualifying cycle, or risk a dip in performance and fan morale.