Croatia, a nation of under 4 million, returns for a fourth consecutive World Cup after stunning runs to the 2018 final and a 2022 third‑place finish. The team celebrates the 30th anniversary of its Euro 1996 debut, just five years after independence. Despite a UEFA‑ranked 20th domestic league, the squad consistently outperforms expectations on football’s biggest stage.

Veterans Luka Modrić, now 40 and plying his trade at AC Milan, lead a core that includes Dominik Livaković, Mateo Kovačić, Ivan Perišić and Andrej Kramarić. Young defender Josko Gvardiol, who attracted Manchester City interest after Qatar, recovered from a broken leg to make the squad. Coach Zlatko Dalić, in charge since 2017, banks on continuity to recreate the team spirit that fueled past upsets.

Drawn in Group L with England, Panama and Ghana, Croatia opens the tournament in Texas on June 17 against the English side. Bookmakers list them as 80‑1 outsiders, matching Switzerland and Türkiye. Past campaigns showed a knack for penalty shootout victories; four such wins propelled them to the semifinals in Russia and Qatar. Their blend of experience and hunger makes another upset plausible.