Croatia is an unusual football powerhouse. Despite having a shorter history as a modern independent nation than its captain Luka Modric, the country has achieved remarkable success in the World Cup, comparable to many larger football nations.
On June 18, Croatia will face England in their opening match of Group L at the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup, held at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The group also includes Ghana and Panama.
Given the match-up, attention is likely to focus on England, which boasts global stars such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka. The scale of the English league, player valuations, and the size of the football market make it difficult to compare with Croatia.
However, Croatia cannot be overlooked when it comes to World Cup achievements. Since gaining independence, Croatia has reached the semifinals or better in three World Cups. The team finished third in the 1998 tournament in France, was the runner-up in the 2018 tournament in Russia, and secured third place again in the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Croatia began its independence process from Yugoslavia in 1991. Current team captain Modric was born in 1985, predating the establishment of Croatia as a modern independent state.
With a population of approximately 3.86 million, Croatia, a nation comparable in size to a major city, has consistently achieved high results against the world's football powerhouses. This is why Croatia is often referred to as a "miracle of a small country" during the World Cup.
Now in his forties, Modric remains the captain of the Croatian national team. The match against England will mark his 199th appearance in international matches.
While Croatia's experienced players like Modric, Ivan Perisic, and Mateo Kovacic are strengths, the team faces the challenge of transitioning to a new generation. Young defensive talents like Josko Gvardiol and Luka Buskovic have joined the squad, but 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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