Zlatko Dalić
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić has named a 26-man squad for the national team’s upcoming March friendlies in the United States.
The Vatreni will travel to Orlando for two high-profile matches as part of the international friendly series “Road to 26”, which will also feature Brazil, Colombia and France.
Croatia will first face Colombia on 26 March at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, before taking on Brazil at the same venue on 31 March. The matches will serve as an important test for Dalić’s side just three months ahead of the World Cup.
Dalić keeps faith in core squad
Dalić has largely stayed loyal to the group of players who have formed the backbone of the national team in recent years. Alongside the 26 players selected, he has also issued nine preliminary call-ups which could be activated before the squad gathers on 23 March.
The Croatia coach said recent weeks had been spent visiting many of the national team players and monitoring their progress.
He expressed satisfaction that several players had secured improved roles at their clubs, something he had encouraged them to pursue last year.
Dalić also emphasised the strong motivation within the squad ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
“These matches in the United States will be a great test to see where we are three months before the World Cup and what we need to work on during preparations,” Dalić said.
He added that the ten days spent together in Orlando would also be used to strengthen team unity – something he believes has always been one of Croatia’s greatest advantages.
The coach also confirmed that two key players, Mateo Kovačić and Joško Gvardiol, are recovering well from surgery and could strengthen the team in time for the World Cup.
Croatia will face two formidable opponents.
Brazil are widely considered among the favourites to win the World Cup and boast one of the strongest squads in international football, while Colombia impressed during qualification, defeating both Brazil and Argentina and finishing their group level on points with Brazil.
Despite the strength of the opposition, Dalić said Croatia will approach the matches with confidence while also giving opportunities to a wider group of players and testing tactical ideas.
Croatia and Brazil have met five times previously.
The most memorable encounter came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when Croatia defeated Brazil on penalties in a dramatic quarter-final.
Their first meeting took place in Split in 2005, ending in a 1–1 draw. Brazil then won 1–0 at the start of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, followed by a 3–1 victory in the opening match of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The South Americans also won a friendly in Liverpool in 2018, 2–0.
Croatia have never previously faced Colombia.
Croatia squad
Goalkeepers: 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
Forwards: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, Marco Pašalić, Petar Musa, Igor Matanović
Stand by: Bruno Petković, Mislav Oršić, Franjo Ivanović, Domagoj Bradarić, Toma Bašić, Dion Drena Beljo, Franko Kovačević, Karlo Letica, Luka Stojković
Match schedule
26 March
Brazil vs France – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
Colombia vs Croatia – Camping World Stadium, Orlando
29 March
Colombia vs France – Northwest Stadium, Landover
31 March
Brazil vs Croatia – Camping World Stadium, Orlando
Croatia’s players will arrive in Orlando from their club destinations on 23 March, with the national team staff and delegation travelling from Zagreb the same day, alongside players from the domestic SuperSport HNL.
