Croatia is an unusual football powerhouse. Despite its brief history as a modern independent nation, its achievements in the World Cup rival those of many larger footballing nations.
On June 18, Croatia will face England in their opening match of Group L at the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup, taking place at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The group also includes Ghana and Panama.
While the spotlight may naturally fall on England, which boasts global stars like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka, Croatia's World Cup track record cannot be overlooked. Since gaining independence, Croatia has reached the semifinals or better in three World Cups. They finished third in the 1998 tournament in France, were runners-up in 2018 in Russia, and again secured third place in the 2022 Qatar tournament.
Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Current team captain Luka Modric, born in 1985, predates the establishment of Croatia as a modern state.
With a population of approximately 3.86 million, Croatia, a nation comparable in size to a major city, has consistently achieved remarkable results against the world's footballing giants. This is why Croatia is often referred to as the "miracle of a small country" during World Cup tournaments.
Now in his forties, Modric continues to lead the Croatian national team. The match against England will mark his 199th appearance in international matches.
Croatia's experienced players, including Modric, Ivan Perisic, and Mateo Kovacic, are significant assets. However, the team faces the challenge of transitioning to a younger generation. While young defenders like Josko Gvardiol and Luka Buskovic have joined the squad, questions remain about whether an aging core can maintain their performance throughout the tournament.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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