The 2026 World Cup is inching ever closer to kicking off this Summer, and that has our crew taking a look at all of the squads that have a chance to win it all. Nico Cantor & Troy Deeney are pleased to be joined by Marko Šapit as they break down Croatia’s journey to qualifying for the World Cup, discussing the impact of players such as Ivan Perišić & Luka Modrić. Plus, the crew chat about Group L & whether or not Croatia can get past England, Panama & Ghana.
0:00 Croatia World Cup SPOTLIGHT
1:04 Marko Šapit talks Croatia
1:23 Croatia’s expectations
3:22 Croatia’s fight & spirit
6:19 Where is the next generation?
8:26 Luka Modrić’s resume with Croatia
8:52 Croatia Projected Starting XI
10:36 Who is Croatia’s next hero?
12:08 Croatia’s Group L schedule
13:47 Final Thoughts
14:36 Watch More!
#2026worldcup #worldcup #cbssportsgolazo #cbs #cbssports #soccer #football #croatia #groupl
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Livakovic GK, just look at 2022 World Cup and you’ll know he’s the starter. Just getting back to game time now in Dinamo Zagreb again but hopefully he returns his form, he was great in the qualifiers tho.
Vuskovic RCB (Keep him central and let him do his thing, non negotiable should start every game)
Gvardiol LCB/LB (also one of the most important players, hopefully fit in time and gets some momentum and form during the tournament. He’ll pull a 2022 again hopefully, left footed, build up, goal scoring, more mobile than Vuskovic, both quite intelligent defenders despite youth, physical yet high technique)
perisic lwb/lw/lb, keeps the width, if a fullback he’ll overlap the winger, I think he’ll be given more license to get forward and play crosses with either foot, turn defenders, attack and keep width to get forward. The defensive acumen of Vuskovic stanisic and Gvardiol will balance it well.
stanisic rb/Rcb, very good ball player while being a solid defender. Option to overlap so the winger cuts in and shoots, maybe crosses or plays a long ball in behind, usually inverts into holding midfield or had spaces but can sit in a back 3 when needed giving more protection.
Modric CDM/CM, runs the game, despite age plus has protection from the other 2 midfielders around him, he’ll probably sit in regista role but roam and playmake when needed. Should be shielded enough and is brilliant defensively as well. He’ll probably link good with Vuskovic covering each others weaknesses.
Sucic CDM/CM Great technique and workrate, similar to Brozovic but not as much of a dedicated CDM, can get involved and win the ball and press while being a good scorer in the box and sometimes outside, also good vision in half spaces
Luca Sucic/Kovacic CM/CAM, Kovacic has been out for most of the season and Luka Sucic just got back to regular game time, despite that they’ll help cover an press while linking defence to attack. Luka is better with long balls and scoring so he’s better vs Low blocks or when Croatia want to attack more while also being a good presser and press resistant. Kovacic is better in controlling matches and escaping pressure to build out from the back. Also more experienced and still versed in attacking although Luka is physically more effective in the box and attacking while Kovacic likes to stay back more. Either way they’re the picks in 3rd midfielder whether they want more attacking or control.
Baturina LW/CAM, brilliant playmaker and attacker right now at como. The attack should be built around him, the dynamic between him and Nico Paz may be similar to Luka Sucic since they have a similar profile and playstyle. Hes the best creator next to modric right now, could start in cam in midfield 3 but probably best if included in front 3 for more offensive contribution. He won’t likely stay wide as perisic will overlap constantly and Baturina invert into midfield regularly to help midfield get more involved.
Marco Pasalic RW, explosive, quick, direct winger with good scoring by capabilities, can even turn into a second striker, can take on players and stretch the attack helping Croatia actually escape their own half and hit the opponents box, something they were desperately lacking in the euros shoving Kramaric, Mario pasalic and Luka Sucic who are slower technical players who can’t beat a player out wide at all. Also a strong left foot and shot able to cut in and score or even cross/cut across goal like an actual winger. Hes been brilliant in the qualifiers so far too.
Budmir ST, has some options but best quality striker right now for them. Not super quick or technical but has great goal scoring ability and record, and can lay the ball off for the other attackers in the box if needed. Obviously great in the air and can properly involve his teammates in attack. His goal record in la liga the past couple years only being behind lewandowski, Mbappe and Bellingham 2 seasons ago while player for a much less competitive side pushes him first but can be rotated when needed.
Subs: Kramaric (their best poacher right now, he may not score the best goals but he finds space in the box to get the tap ins. At the end of the day a tap = the same as a long shot goal. However his general play doesn’t add much more in terms of profile. He’s a great penalty taker but Croatia have modric and Budmir who would probably be subbed late game anyway allowing him to take late game penalties if it arises. Hes pretty slow, he doesn’t beat players in the dribble, he, recycles and back passes frequently and doesnt playmake often, he isn’t physically the strongest or great in the air, he just finds some space in split seconds and scores an easy goal (or at least makes it look easy). In the nations league he had missed some big chances however which also makes him seem like a stronger super sub or rotation striker rather than guaranteed starter. He depends on the opponents but shouldn’t start over the wingers or Baturina.
Musa (still physical like Budmir but less service reliant and better in transitions, can create a chance for himself more while also involving teammates. Just isn’t as proven as Budmir in top leagues but could prove a good rotation option or possible start instead of Budmir.
Jakic CDM/CM/RB, the only real true transition CDM player, he had the most tackles and defensive duels in the qualifiers beside Petar Sucic and scored some good and important goals while also having a good box to box and defensive presence. Very important, could start in rb if stanisic lb, or rotate midfield.
Sutalo CB, he’s a sub for the defence to help close out a game. Isn’t prepared for fast paced games, has trouble keeping up but can be a solid last man back sweeping up loose balls vs low blocks or hold out a game for 20 minutes.
Majer CM, most creative cm behind modric, probably his sub, has a good connection with wingers and can act like a second striker, but he has had some form problems and finishing chances. Good sub for now.
Moro CDM/CM, more conservative midfielder but similar style to modric, likes to hold back more and control a game but isn’t as high quality right now, good to help close out a game and give modric a rest.
Mario Pasalic CAM, don’t play him on the wings, his best role has always been rushing the box as a physical 10, he’ll always get a chance whether in 15 minutes or 90, so it’s best to use as a late game sub when chasing a goal.
Vlasic CAM, same as Mario pasalic and Kramaric but rather will score a screamer while struggling with the simple goals. Good in transitions with good goal scoring technique, he’ll just find a way to get a chance late game. Good sub.
Valincic RB, young upcoming fullback who’s quick, physical and likes to attack, a profile Croatia have been needing since Juranovic has dropped form, he’d also be good to call back but has been struggling with injuries.
There’s some other names that have a good chance or would probably do well like Kovacevic, Jagusic, Erlic, Matanovic, etc.
We’ll see what Dalic desides but this is without a doubt their best lineup right now bar maybe push Perisic back to LW, Baturina CAM and add another defender like Jakic or take a chance on Valincic. And rotate striker based on opponent between Budmir, Kramaric or Musa. I hope Dalic recognize it and also gets the matchups right depending on the team but they have the young upcoming talent, experience, profile, squad depth and some X factor players to do well. He should try some lineup like this though in the friendly’s in March and June. Hopefully by then all the players will be in form and fit.
CROATIA WORLD CHAMPION 2026!!!!! Now or never…….
#Cropower
Brittish being British, again they are sure they will be the first😅
Livakovic Stanisic, Šutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol Sucic,Modric,Kovacic perisic,Kramaric,Baturina This should be starting 11 if everybody is not injured.
Always a pleasure hearing non native speaker pronouncing our names correctly. It’s really rare.
As someone from Croatia, I’m hoping for another medal from the World Cup. Still, the law of large numbers suggests that the chances of a country winning a medal three times in a row are very, very, very small, so we should approach this with a dose of realism. God willing, they prove me wrong and we get to give them a hero’s welcome for the third time.
Quite a general overview, and you can tell that the hosts don’t really know much about the Croatian team (which is expected) Marko Sapit also relies on too many clichés and doesn’t really provide any real insight.
Anyhow, Croatia are, as usual, not rated. No matter how many competitions they qualify for, the talk is always about an aging squad (and it's been like that since 1998 I believe 🤣), and from the hosts you get the feeling that they don’t really trust the team. Which is fine.
Interestingly enough, Croatia have won three World Cup medals since qualifying for their very first World Cup in 1998. Just for comparison, that is an enormous achievement for such a tiny nation.
World Cup medals since 1998:
4 – France & Germany
3 – CROATIA
2 – Brazil, Argentina, Netherlands
1 – Italy, Spain, Belgium
0 – England, Portugal …
Granted, the World Cup trophy is missing, and it’s a tall order for 2026. But it’s interesting to see how, despite all the past success and Croatia’s obvious ability to deliver something extra at World Cups, they are never truly taken seriously.
The injuries to Gvardiol and Kovacic are a real concern though. Let's see.
You think we beat you in 2018, interesting and unbelievable.
Ajmo Hrvatska🇭🇷❤️🇭🇷
coming from the future, england is getting out in the group stage
I dont tnik so but hopefully.
Only Brazil can stop Modric, not because of the player, its because of Don Carlo.
A nation that will keep making the occasional 2nd and 3rd place at best in world cups, but that's about it.
They'd be more venomous if they were a Serbo-Croatian combo.
Serbs have a better feeling for the ball than Croats, but are mentally weak. Get instant depression when scored against.
Croats are mentally stronger, but generally less skilled which can be a problem when Modric retires.
I miss the Yugoslavia days. They always brought a killer team.
Group Stage exit.😊
We have the best defence in the world : Jakšić – Vuškovića – Gvardiol – Stanišić..❤ + Modrić 🎉
Marko bottled it with not giving special mentions to Baturina and P. Sučić, both of them could easily be Croatia’s secret weapon this summer. Both having breakthrough seasons in Serie A too.
Baturina will surprise you
Croatia in a nutshell
Reasons of Croatian success in the last 10 years: lack of infrastructure and money, chip on our shoulder, unity and patriotism.
Our weaknesses: lack of star level players in the biggest clubs, lack of a clear left back, both wingers after perisic retires, clear nb 9 such as haaland, mbappe, lewandowski etc, poor form of certain players, too high and unreal expectations after 3 medals
Players to watch: petar sucic, luka vuskovic, martina baturina, adriano jagusic, igor matanovic etc
You are welcome.
Gvardiol-Vuskovic-Sutalo-Stanisic
Arguably the best defence on the tournament. Top 5 for sure.
Midfield strong as always.
Attack is lacking but Perisic and Kramaric on a good day can penetrate any defence.
With a bit of luck, Croatia can go very deep again 🤞
Correction: Dalic started in October/November 2017
We beat the English so bad they are trying to erase that from their memory.
Dalic is in charge since 2017 not since 2016
Martin Baturina, Petar Sučić, Luka Modrić will be the best midfield in the world cup.
england have no chance against Croatia
Ceiling: round of 16 exit Floor: grouped.
Ako Vušković ne bude u prvoj postavi neću gledati nogomet
Can't take these guys seriously being American and calling it soccer lol. Just doesn't hit
What Marko didn't explain the best to that question, how is Croatia finding the ways to win…., he did say correct that there's a lot of pride in our nation. But he didn't say where is that pride coming from and it's coming from the fact that we are very young country, our nation and our people were almost always undeservedly under the boot of others, especially bad period for our nation was communism in that artificial state called Yugoslavia from 1945 to 1991. In 1991. we finally made and defended our country from srbs and great-serbian aggression. After centuries and long dreamed country from our ancestors, we finally got our country. And because of the war and all suffering through centuries and especially in that last war, we finally made it! And all that dream about independence is built into all of us, even into new generations that are actually recently born, all of that is passed down to them even war is 30 years behind us. So these are the reasons why we love to play with pride and cheer so much for our country!
As long as they beat england, then its all good. The whole world will be happy. !!!!!
As a german born Croat, first I wanna say I LOVE real German People, second is, of course Mi Hrvati are always able to do fantastic things, like our brothers on the so called Balkans too 😉
what? Its not coming home this year as well? it never will…. England this England that but when World cup is on there is no England anywhere. even that cup it won was questionable.
P.S English fans do not tattoo the cup….you will not win it for sure
ja sam znao da cu svoju ljubav pokloniti njoj
It's GOLD IT HAS 2 BE 4 LUKA.
Call it deluded….but Croats are crazy enough to actually believe they will win the world cup EVERY TIME they compete in it….
This Croatia is flying under the radar, exciting blend of old like Modric and future talents. If they can figure their best lineup, they are dark horses at least.