Dalic called up his squad for the Nations League games against Portugal on the Sept 5th in Lisbon and Poland in Osijek Sept 8th. Domagoj Vida and Marcelo Brozovic have retired from internal play. Congrats to them on their contribution. I wish Modric, Perisic and Kramaric would of done of the same. All of them are past their prime and offer the NT very little at this point and do not think that any of them will be around for WC 2026. Hopefully we play 3 at the back, as it looks like that is possible. But that will be a big transition for this team. But in general this team looks average and will probably struggle in Nations League. Keepers: Dominik Livaković, Dominik Kotarski, Nediljko Labrović Defenders: Joško Gvardiol, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Borna Sosa, Josip Stanišić, Josip Šutalo, Marin Pongračić, Martin Erlić Midfielders: Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, Lovro Majer, Luka Ivanušec, Luka Sučić, Kristijan Jakić, Martin Baturina, Petar Sučić Forwards: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Bruno Petković, Ante Budimir, Igor Matanović On Stand By: Borna Barišić, Marko Pjaca, Ivica Ivušić, Marco Pašalić, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk, Robert Ljubičić https://hns.team/vijesti/28191/dalic-objavio-popis-igraca-za-pocetak-lige-nacija/
I think Kramaric may still be in the team in 2026. After all we still don't have a viable CF alternative: Marin Ljubicic is too irregular, Roko Šimić is not even playing, and I don't think Anton Matkovic is ready for the big stage yet. I don't really have an opinion on Franjo Ivanovic yet. Let's see if Matanovic steps up to the task. We also are thin in options at RB, and that became clear now with Stanisic's injury. I'm thinking Dalic is going with Jakic at RB, since there is no one in the position at the backup list...
Kramaric does not play much as a CF for us, or even for Hoffenheim. . He is not someone that will look to break the lines of the defence like Budimir does. That is why i would sometimes start Budimir and other times Petkovic as the CF, depending on who we are playing. Both Ivanusec and Majer, could hold up play in Krarmaric's position and i don't believe we would miss much. As we have no true wingers on the squad anymore with Perisic's age and his ACL injury, at least not in the squad called up. In the most recent games that Kramaric has started and played for the NT he has started as a CF only twice, screenshot. If you look at his starts for Hoffenheim you will find something similar. Our only viable CF's are Budimir and Petkovic with the coach bringing along these young CF's like Matanovic for evaluation. I just think we have too many players like Kramaric that need the ball at their feet to be successful and for me we have many other players that do his role to varying degrees of success.
Squad has been called up by Dalic for games against Scotland Oct 12th in Zagreb and Oct 15 in Warsaw against Poland. Many of the same faces as last squad callup.Not sure why Ivušić was called up over Labrović. Oršić is back, as he has not been called up since March 2023. I should also mention that the last NL games we lost 2-1 to Portugal and beat Poland in Osijek 1-0. Vratari: Dominik Livaković, Ivica Ivušić, Dominik Kotarski Obrambeni: Joško Gvardiol, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Borna Sosa, Josip Šutalo, Marin Pongračić, Martin Erlić Vezni: Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, Luka Ivanušec, Luka Sučić, Kristijan Jakić, Martin Baturina, Petar Sučić, Nikola Moro Napadači: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Bruno Petković, Mislav Oršić, Marko Pjaca, Ante Budimir, Igor Matanović On standby: Nikola Vlašić, Marco Pašalić, Nediljko Labrović, Toni Fruk, Robert Ljubičić, Dominik Prpić https://hns.team/vijesti/28373/izbornik-dalic-odabrao-igrace-za-utakmice-sa-skotskom-i-poljskom/
Squad called up by Dalić for matches against Scotland, 15th November in Glasgow , and against Portugal 18th of November in Split. I do expect one of the defenders on the reserve list to get called up. Last NL games had us beat Scotland at home 2-1 and draw Poland away 3-3. Keepers: Dominik Livaković, Ivica Ivušić, Nediljko Labrović, Dominik Kotarski Defence: Joško Gvardiol, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Borna Sosa, Josip Šutalo, Kristijan Jakić Midfielders: Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić, Luka Sučić, Martin Baturina, Petar Sučić, Nikola Moro Forwards: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Bruno Petković, Ante Budimir, Mislav Oršić, Marko Pjaca, Marco Pašalić, Igor Matanović Reserves: Lovro Majer, Luka Ivanušec, Marin Pongračić, Martin Erlić, Šimun Hrgović, Toni Fruk https://hns.team/vijesti/28573/izbornik-dalic-objavio-popis-igraca-za-skotsku-i-portugal/
Squad was called for the Nations League matches against France this month. Games to be played the 20th in Split and 23rd in Paris. The only surprise on the list is Ćaleta-Car who has not played for Lyon in over a month. A mild surprise as to why rush Petar Sučić back into the squad, as he just got back from injury. And Sučić struggled against Hajduk the other day due to match fitness. Nice to see Fruk on the sheet as he has probably deserved a call up. The team may play narrower as Perišić is the only winger called. And potentially you will see 3 in back here against France. If Dalic does deploy a back 3 hopefully he starts Stanišić-Šutalo-Gvardiol as the back 3. And Dalic could start with Sosa and Juranović as wing backs against France or sit one of them and play Perišić in one of those wing back positions. Hopefully he starts Budimir but Dalic still has not figured out that he is our best CF. I expect us to sit pretty deep with it being low scoring as we have few goal scorers at this level. Probably a draw and a loss eliminating us from Nations League. Keepers: Dominik Livaković, Ivica Ivušić, Dominik Kotarski Defenders: Joško Gvardiol, Josip Juranović, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Borna Sosa, Josip Šutalo, Josip Stanišić, Marin Pongračić Mids: Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić, Luka Sučić, Martin Baturina, Kristijan Jakić, Petar Sučić, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk Forwards: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, Franjo Ivanović Standby/Reserves: Marko Pjaca, Mislav Oršić, Martin Erlić, Marco Pašalić, Nediljko Labrović https://hns.team/vijesti/29081/izbornik-dalic-objavio-popis-igraca-za-utakmice-s-francuskom/
Squad was called up by Zlatko Dalic for the first set of WCQ fixtures starting in June. I have posted the list of qualifying dates and games also. He called up Vuskovic, which is like every coaches MO, call up the good young player, but not like defense is this teams priority considering issues we have offensively. Sosa was dropped, rightly so and Vlasic is injured so Majer returns. Tough season for Majer as he was injured most of it. I personally wish Dalic and the older players would just leave as this team is crying out for more energy up top and through the midfield. We have too many #10's in this squad. Kramaric, Pasalic, Bautrina, L. Sucic, Fruk and Majer all want to play in that position(Vlasic too when available). Someone needs to have some balls there and say enough is enough, and only choose 4 of those #10's at most for this squad. This then leaves us with basically no wingers though as the only wide player chosen was Perisic And finally I have no idea how Moro is on this squad but someone there likes him. I expect it to come down to the games against the Czechia and Montenegro. Those 4 games will determine our WC fate. Vratari: Dominik Livaković, Ivica Ivušić, Dominik Kotarski Obrambeni: Joško Gvardiol, Josip Juranović, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Šutalo, Josip Stanišić, Marin Pongračić, Luka Vušković Vezni: Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, Lovro Majer, Luka Sučić, Martin Baturina, Kristijan Jakić, Petar Sučić, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk Napadači: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, Franjo Ivanović Pretpozivi: Marko Pjaca, Mislav Oršić, Marco Pašalić, Karlo Letica June 6: Gibraltar (away) June 9: Czech Republic (home) Sept 5: Faroe Islands (away) Sept 8: Montenegro (home) Oct 9: Czech Republic (away) Oct 12: Gibraltar (home) Nov 14: Faroe Islands (home) Nov 17: Montenegro (away) https://hns.team/vijesti/29473/izbornik-dalic-objavio-popis-igraca-za-gibraltar-i-cesku/
Squad called for September qualifiers against Montenegro and Faroe Islands. Keepers: Dominik Livaković, Ivica Ivušić, Dominik Kotarski Defense: Joško Gvardiol, Josip Juranović, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Šutalo, Josip Stanišić, Marin Pongračić, Martin Erlić Mids: Luka Modrić, Mario Pašalić, Lovro Majer, Martin Baturina, Kristijan Jakić, Petar Sučić, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk Forwards: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, Marco Pašalić, Franjo Ivanović Standby: Bruno Petković, Mislav Oršić, Borna Sosa, Karlo Letica https://hns.team/vijesti/29805/izbo...s-igraca-za-rujanske-kvalifikacijske-izazove/
Dalic has called up the squads for Czechia(A) Oct 9 in Prague and Gibraltar(H) Oct 12th in Varazdin. It looks like these 24 called up are the ones that Dalic trusts in the most right now and most likely to be called up should Croatia be in North America next summer. The changes look to be Kovacic and Gvardiol are back from injuries with Sosa(late call up last time) and Juranovic dropped to standby squad. And the standby's look like the extended squad for next summer, all jockeying to get looked at. At least he has given us the full squad under consideration for next summer now.. Keepers: Dominik Livaković, Ivica Ivušić, Dominik Kotarski Defence: Joško Gvardiol, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Šutalo, Josip Stanišić, Marin Pongračić, Martin Erlić, Luka Vušković Mids: Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, Lovro Majer, Martin Baturina, Kristijan Jakić, Petar Sučić, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk Forwards: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, Marco Pašalić, Franjo Ivanović Standby: Nikola Vlašić, Bruno Petković, Josip Juranović, Mislav Oršić, Borna Sosa, Luka Sučić, Petar Musa, Igor Matanović, Domagoj Bradarić, Ivan Smolčić, Karlo Letica, Ivor Pandur. https://hns.team/vijesti/29975/izbo...pis-igraca-za-susrete-s-ceskom-i-gibraltarom/
Dalic called these players for the Faroe Islands and Montenegro qualifying games. in November. Vratari: Dominik Livaković, Ivica Ivušić, Dominik Kotarski Obrambeni: Joško Gvardiol, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Šutalo, Josip Stanišić, Marin Pongračić, Martin Erlić, Luka Vušković Vezni: Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić, Kristijan Jakić, Petar Sučić, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk Napadači: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, Marco Pašalić, Franjo Ivanović, Igor Matanović Pretpozivi: Lovro Majer, Mislav Oršić, Luka Sučić, Martin Baturina, Petar Musa, Domagoj Bradarić, Ivan Smolčić, Adriano Jagušić, Franko Kovačević, Karlo Letica, Ivor Pandur, Moris Valinčić https://hns.team/vijesti/30162/izbo...zavrsnicu-europskih-kvalifikacija-za-sp-2026/
Squad called up by Dalic for friendlies set for end of March 2026 against Colombia and Brazil in Orlando Florida. Kovacic and Gvardiol are both injured so not available for call up. Not going to assess the squad right now. will do that in May when the final squad is called for the WC. Keepers: Dominik Livaković, Dominik Kotarski, Ivor Pandur Defenders: Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Šutalo, Josip Stanišić, Marin Pongračić, Kristijan Jakić, Martin Erlić, Luka Vušković, Ivan Smolčić Midfielders: Luka Modrić, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić, Lovro Majer, Luka Sučić, Martin Baturina, Petar Sučić, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk Attackers: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, Marco Pašalić, Petar Musa, Igor Matanović On Call: Bruno Petković, Mislav Oršić, Franjo Ivanović, Domagoj Bradarić, Toma Bašić, Dion Drena Beljo, Franko Kovačević, Karlo Letica, Luka Stojković https://hns.team/vijesti/30797/izbornik-dalic-objavio-popis-igraca-za-utakmice-u-orlandu/
The Squad called up for the 2026 FIFA world cup by Zlatko Dalic.We are in Group L with England, Panama and Ghana. I expect a second place finish in this group. But anything less then first and our group stage knockout game will be very difficutlt. I think Panama(watched them in the gold cup) could be a little bit tricky. Lucky that they have no striker of note otherwise that would be a hard game. As for Ghana i have no idea, especially now with Carlos Quieroz taking over. But i know they like to counter attack so that could test that backline. Against England I expect a loss. As for the squad selection the only positive from this team is that Dalic left an AM(Majer) at home. As we had too many AM in previous squads. The strength of this team will be its defence which i think is pretty solid, with only Gvariol and Stanisic as fullbacks as Dalic will mostly play a 4-3-3 or something with 4 a the back and then whatever formation in front that back 4 . That midfield and attack is nothing great nowadays.I think too old and too slow. This team will need to use that full squad this summer. With Kovacic and Gvardiol coming back into the Man City side so late in the season. This team will basically rely on set pieces to beat anyone of note and shoot outs if they get into the knockout stages. With no ability to counter I think we will try to press, just not too sure how successful that will be. I expect we make the knockout stages and go out in the round of 32 as i think if we finish second we play the 2nd place team from group K, but i need to check that. So either Colombia or Portugal i believe. Vratari: Dominik Livaković (Dinamo), Dominik Kotarski (Kopenhagen), Ivor Pandur (Hull City). Braniči: Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Ćaleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Šutalo (Ajax), Josip Stanišić (Bayern), Marin Pongračić (Fiorentina), Martin Erlić (Midtjylland), Luka Vušković (HSV). Vezni igrači: Luka Modrić (Milan), Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta), Nikola Vlašić (Torino), Luka Sučić (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakić (Augsburg), Petar Sučić (Inter), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka). Napadači: Ivan Perišić (PSV), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pašalić (Orlando City), Petar Musa (Dallas), Igor Matanović (Freiburg). Standby: Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg), Franjo Ivanović (Benfica), Dion Drena Beljo (Dinamo), Ivan Smolčić (Como), Karlo Letica (Lausanne), Adrian Segečić (Portsmouth), Luka Stojković (Dinamo). https://hns.team/vijesti/31132/zlat...-svjetsko-prvenstvo-u-kanadi-meksiku-i-sad-u/