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Group L

Croatia

Manager
Zlatko Dalic
Squad
26 players
Announced
June 1

Tournament projection

Advance
85.8%
Round of 16
43.8%
Quarter-final
17.9%
Semi-final
7.4%
Final
2.2%
Champion
0.6%

Market champion price 0.9% · model edge -0.2%.

Scouting report

updated 2026-06-04

Likely a 4-3-3 (have flirted with a 3-4-2-1) built on getting the 10s 1v1 and overlapping fullbacks — but open to counters and needing a better press.

Style · 4-3-3 / 3-4-2-1 — play to get the wingers (10s) 1v1, overlapping FBs & WBs, crosses into the box, central block structure.

Counter-reliance ·mediumPossession-led but open to counters

Strengths

  • +1v1 creators getting on the ball
  • +Overlapping fullbacks & wing-backs crossing
  • +Central block structure

Weaknesses

  • Press needs to be better
  • Open to counters

Key players

  • Martin Baturina · CAMGoals, assists & creativity — lovely dribbler in tight areas and a great long passer
Tactics
Get the 10s 1v1, overlap the fullbacks and cross, behind a central block. Upcoming friendlies will help settle the formation; the press and counter exposure need work.

Sources: John Walker (@johnwalker_1986) — pre-tournament tactical scouting, May–Jun 2026

Group fixtures

Squad

Goalkeepers

  • Dominik LivakovicDinamo Zagreb
  • Dominik KotarskiKobenhavn
  • Ivor PandurHull City

Defenders

  • Josko GvardiolManchester City
  • Duje Caleta-CarReal Sociedad
  • Josip SutaloAjax
  • Josip StanisicBayern Munich
  • Marin PongracicFiorentina
  • Martin ErlicMidtjylland
  • Luka VuskovicHamburg

Midfielders

  • Luka ModricAC Milan
  • Mateo KovacicManchester City
  • Mario PasalicAtalanta
  • Nikola VlasicTorino
  • Luka SucicReal Sociedad
  • Martin BaturinaComo
  • Kristijan JakicAugsburg
  • Petar SucicInter Milan
  • Nikola MoroBologna
  • Toni FrukRijeka

Forwards

  • Ivan PerisicPSV Eindhoven
  • Andrej KramaricHoffenheim
  • Ante BudimirOsasuna
  • Marco PasalicOrlando City
  • Petar MusaFC Dallas
  • Igor MatanovicFreiburg