Modrić
Zlatko Dalić announced Croatia's 26-man World Cup squad on Monday, and its most notable feature is the distance between its oldest and youngest members. Luka Modrić is 40. Luka Vušković is 18. One is playing what will almost certainly be his final World Cup. The other is playing his first. The rest of the squad sit somewhere between those two.
Modrić will play in his fifth World Cup — his first was Germany 2006, followed by Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022. Croatia did not qualify for South Africa 2010. The AC Milan midfielder broke his cheekbone on April 26, an injury that ended his club season, but he is expected to be fit for Croatia's opener against England on June 17. He has 196 caps — a national record — and a 2018 Ballon d'Or. He could reach 200 if Croatia advance past the group stage. The question of whether he can still influence matches at the highest level was answered by his season in Serie A. The question of whether Croatia can replace him has not been.
Vušković's inclusion is the story at the other end. Born in 2007, the Hamburger SV center-back — owned by Tottenham — has four senior caps. Dalić has trusted potential over experience in a defensive group that also includes the returning Joško Gvardiol. The Manchester City defender broke his shin earlier this year but has returned to action and is expected to start.
The midfield is deep. Behind Modrić, Dalić has selected Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City), Petar Sučić (Inter), Martin Baturina (Como), Luka Sučić (Real Sociedad), and Mario Pašalić (Atalanta). The width of quality in central midfield has been Croatia's competitive advantage for a decade, and this squad extends it one more tournament — probably the last time this particular configuration will be available.
In attack, Ivan Perišić provides experience from PSV Eindhoven. He has scored in each of the last three World Cups — a consistency that deserves more attention than it receives. Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, and two MLS-based forwards — Marco Pašalić (Orlando City) and Petar Musa (FC Dallas) — complete the group.
The biggest omission is Lovro Majer. The midfielder has been injured for much of the season and has not started a single match since the last international gathering. His place on the standby list, alongside Franjo Ivanović, Dion Drena Beljo, Ivan Smolčić, Karlo Letica, Adrian Segečić, and Luka Stojković, is a reflection of circumstance rather than quality.
The squad
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livaković (Dinamo Zagreb), Dominik Kotarski (FC København), Ivor Pandur (Hull City)
Defenders: Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Ćaleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Šutalo (Ajax), Josip Stanišić (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongračić (Fiorentina), Martin Erlić (Midtjylland), Luka Vušković (Hamburger SV)
Midfielders: Luka Modrić (AC 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)
Forwards: Ivan Perišić (PSV Eindhoven), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pašalić (Orlando City), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Igor Matanović (Freiburg)
Croatia open against England on June 17 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, face Panama on June 22 at BMO Field in Toronto, and conclude Group L against Ghana on June 27 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.