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Luka Modric headlines Croatia World Cup squad

Luka Modric headlines Croatia World Cup squad
© Reuters
Zlatko Dalic confirms his Croatia squad for the upcoming World Cup with Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric the star name in the 26-player group.

Zlatko Dalic has named his Croatia squad for the upcoming World Cup with Luka Modric, as expected, the star name in the 26-man group.

The Real Madrid midfielder won the 2018 Ballon d'Or on the back of helping his nation to their first-ever World Cup final four years ago, and the 37-year-old will hope to produce similar level of performances in Qatar.

There are minimal shocks in the squad with Southampton defender Duje Caleta-Car the highest-profile name to miss out despite having 23 caps to his name.

Rangers forward Antonio Colak would have also been hopeful of inclusion given his club form, but possessing just three caps has counted against him, while playmaker Josip Brekalo also misses out having played just nine minutes of football since the back end of September.

There are just two representatives from the Premier League with Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic and versatile Tottenham Hotspur wide player Ivan Perisic being provided with tickets for the plane.

Croatia players celebrate in the Nations League in September 2022© Reuters

Josip Juranovic and Borna Barisic - of Celtic and Rangers respectively - both feature, as does in-demand RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol and former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren.

Inter Milan's Marcelo Brozovic and Atalanta BC's Mario Pasalic add further quality in central midfield, while there is nothing but experienced heads in the attack.

Six of Croatia's seven forward players are aged between 28 and 33, with only 25-year-old Nikola Vlasic lowering the average age in the final third.

There are also four Dinano Zagreb representatives with Dominik Livakovic, Josip Sutalo, Bruno Petkovic and Mislav Orsic also earning opportunities.

Croatia have been drawn in a group with Belgium, Canada and Morocco, with their campaign getting underway on November 23 when they square off against the latter.



Croatia's 2022 World Cup squad in full

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivica Ivusic (Osijek), Ivo Grbic (Atletico Madrid)

Defenders: Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens), Dejan Lovren (Zenit St Petersburg), Borna Barisic (Rangers), Josip Juranovic (Celtic), Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig), Borna Sosa (Stuttgart), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Martin Erlic (Sassuolo), Josip Sutalo (Dinamo Zagreb)

Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta BC), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Lovro Majer (Rennes), Kristijan Jakic (Eintracht Frankfurt), Luka Sucic (Red Bull Salzburg)

Attackers: Ivan Perisic (Tottenham Hotspur), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Mislav Orsic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marko Livaja (Hajduk Split)

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Written by
Darren Plant

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