FIFA World Cup 2026 Croatia: Schedule, How to Watch, History & Record
Zlatko Dalić has taken Croatia to three straight World Cup podiums. A bronze in 1998, a silver in 2018, a bronze again in 2022. Now, drawn into Group L alongside England, Ghana, and Panama, the question is simple: can the smallest nation by population to reach a World Cup Final find one more run in a side led by a 40-year-old Ballon d’Or winner?
This will be Croatia’s seventh World Cup appearance. Dalić has managed the side since October 2017 and has not once failed to deliver a medal. Croatia enter the tournament ranked 11th in the world, as of the April 1, 2026 FIFA rankings, a position that reflects real tournament pedigree rather than just qualification form.
Luka Modric carries the weight of an entire football culture on his shoulders. At 40, he joined AC Milan in 2025 to stay match-sharp for one final dance on the biggest stage. The 194-cap captain knows this is his last World Cup. His teammates know it too.
Croatia World Cup 2026 Schedule (Local Time)
Croatia observes Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+2. No clock changes occur during the June-July tournament window, so all local times below are fixed. Croatia is six hours ahead of Eastern Time.
| Date | Opponent | Time (CEST) | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 17, 2026 | England | 10:00 PM | 4:00 PM | Dallas Stadium |
| June 23, 2026 | Panama | 1:00 AM (June 24) | 7:00 PM | Toronto Stadium |
| June 27, 2026 | Ghana | 11:00 PM | 5:00 PM | Philadelphia Stadium |
Croatian fans face late-night viewing for all three group games, with the Panama match tipping past midnight. The opener against England in Dallas is the one that matters most. The top two teams in Group L advance to the Round of 32, and the eight best third-placed teams across all groups also advance.
How to Watch World Cup 2026 Croatia
HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija) holds the broadcast rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Croatia. Coverage airs across HRT 1 and HRT 2, both free-to-air public channels available on terrestrial, cable, and satellite. No subscription is required.
HRT is a member of the European Broadcasting Union, which negotiated rights across the continent. Every Croatia match will be on free television. Visit hrt.hr for the official broadcast schedule closer to June.
How to Stream the World Cup 2026 in Croatia
HRTi is the official free streaming platform from HRT. It is available as an app for smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs, as well as via browser at the HRTi website. Live streams of World Cup matches are available at no cost, covering the same games broadcast on HRT 1 and HRT 2. FIFA+ offers free live coverage in territories without exclusive streaming deals. Check FIFA+ to confirm availability in Croatia before the tournament.
How to Listen to the World Cup 2026 in Croatia
HRT runs multiple national radio stations, and Croatian Radio has historically carried live World Cup commentary. Hrvatski radio 1, the flagship station, is the likely home for radio broadcasts of Croatia’s matches. Coverage is in Croatian and available free via DAB, FM, and online at hrt.hr.
Croatia World Cup History & Record
Croatia declared independence in 1991 and reached the World Cup at their first attempt in 1998. They went to France and finished third, beating Netherlands in the third-place playoff. It remains one of the finest debut performances in World Cup history. Since then, Croatia have missed only one tournament (2010), been eliminated at the group stage three times, and reached the final once.
That 2018 run through Russia stunned the world. They beat Denmark on penalties, then Russia on penalties, then England in extra time, before losing 4-2 to France in the final. Four years later in Qatar, Croatia won another bronze, eliminating Brazil and Morocco on penalties before falling to Argentina in the semi-final.
Their all-time record across six tournaments: 13 wins, 8 draws, 9 losses, 43 goals for and 33 against across 30 matches. Three medals. No other nation of Croatia’s size can claim that return.
| Year | Host | Round | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | France | 3rd Place | 5 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 5 |
| 2002 | South Korea/Japan | Group Stage | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 2006 | Germany | Group Stage | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 2014 | Brazil | Group Stage | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| 2018 | Russia | Final (2nd) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 9 |
| 2022 | Qatar | 3rd Place | 2 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 7 |
Croatia qualified for 2026 by winning their UEFA qualifying group without losing a game. They beat Czech Republic 5-1, hammered Gibraltar 7-0, and finished with a record of 7 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses, scoring 26 goals and conceding just four. It was dominant from start to finish.
Croatia World Cup 2026 Predictions and Analysis
Group L gives Croatia a genuine path to the Round of 32, but the England fixture on June 17 in Dallas will define the group. Croatia beat England in extra time in the 2018 semi-final. England will not forget that. This is a rivalry with real history and real stakes. Panama and Ghana are winnable games. If Croatia take four or six points from those two, they control their own destiny regardless of how England goes.
The tactical identity under Dalić is well-established: a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 built around midfield control, positional discipline, and the ability to flip games in extra time. Croatia have won four of their last six knockout matches on penalties. They are experts at grinding teams down and making opponents crack late. That suits an expanded bracket perfectly. See the full Group L preview for the complete picture.
Luka Modric (AC Milan) is the engine and the symbol. At 40, his legs are shorter but his reading of the game is sharper than ever.
Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City) provides the industry and ball-winning that lets Modric operate freely.
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) suffered a broken shinbone in January 2026 but is expected to return to full fitness before the tournament, and when fit he is the most complete defender in the squad.
Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim) supplies the goals in tight spaces, while Dominik Livaković (Dinamo Zagreb, on loan from Fenerbahče) remains one of the best penalty-shootout goalkeepers in world football.
Ivan Perišić (PSV Eindhoven) at 36 brings wing delivery and experience that no younger option can replicate.
The vulnerability is age. If Croatia need to press for 90 minutes or manage two games in five days at full intensity, the squad’s older players will feel it. But this team does not press. They defend deep, stay compact, and punish. That formula has reached two bronze medals and a World Cup final. Expect Croatia to advance from the group. A deep run hinges on the draw after that.
Croatia FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQs
What group is Croatia in at the 2026 World Cup?
Croatia are in Group L alongside England, Ghana, and Panama. Their three group stage matches run from June 17 to June 27, 2026, with games in Dallas, Toronto, and Philadelphia.
When is Croatia’s first match at the 2026 World Cup?
Croatia play England on June 17, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET (10:00 PM CEST) at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It is the standout match of the opening round in Group L.
How did Croatia qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Croatia won their UEFA qualifying group without losing a match, finishing with a record of 7 wins, 1 draw, and 0 losses from eight games. They scored 26 goals and conceded only four, beating Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar.
Can I watch Croatia’s World Cup matches for free?
Yes. HRT (HRT 1 and HRT 2) broadcasts all World Cup matches in Croatia on free-to-air television. The HRTi streaming app and website also provide free live streaming of all HRT coverage.
Who is Croatia’s head coach at the 2026 World Cup?
Zlatko Dalić has managed Croatia since October 2017. He led the side to the 2018 World Cup Final, the 2022 third-place finish, and has now guided them to a seventh World Cup appearance. No other Croatia manager has achieved what he has on the world stage.
What is Croatia’s best World Cup result?
Croatia’s best finish is runners-up, achieved at the 2018 World Cup in Russia where they lost 4-2 to France in the final. They have also won two third-place bronze medals, in 1998 and 2022, making them the most decorated small nation in World Cup history.
Do Croatian citizens need a visa to attend the 2026 World Cup in the USA?
Croatia is part of the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), meaning Croatian citizens can travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa for tourism or event attendance. An approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is required before departure. Check the US State Department visa page for the latest requirements.
Who are Croatia’s key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Luka Modric (AC Milan) is the captain and creative heart. Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City) drives the midfield press. Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) leads the defence when fit. Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim) is the main striker. Dominik Livaković (Dinamo Zagreb, on loan from Fenerbahče) protects the goal and has saved Croatia in multiple penalty shootouts.
World Cup 2026 Croatia is one final shot at glory for a generation that has produced more per capita than almost any football nation on earth. Group L is beatable. The bracket beyond it is open. Do not count Croatia out.
