{"id":583,"date":"2026-05-19T10:02:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T07:02:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zalebs.com\/news\/modric-back-in-croatias-provisional-world-cup-squad-after-cheekbone-surgery\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T10:02:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T07:02:08","slug":"modric-back-in-croatias-provisional-world-cup-squad-after-cheekbone-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zalebs.com\/news\/modric-back-in-croatias-provisional-world-cup-squad-after-cheekbone-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"Modric Back in Croatia\u2019s Provisional World Cup Squad After Cheekbone Surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Croatia captain Luka Modric has been named in the nation\u2019s provisional World Cup squad, arriving just weeks after undergoing surgery on a cheekbone. The 40-year-old midfield anchor is now eyeing a fifth appearance at the tournament as he targets a return to full fitness.<\/p>\n<p>Head coach Zlatko Dalic has selected a 26-man group, with seven additional players listed as standby. The final Croatia World Cup roster, for a competition co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to be unveiled on June 1, ahead of the tournament beginning on June 11.<\/p>\n<h3>Quick facts<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Luka Modric returns to contention after cheekbone surgery.<\/li>\n<li>Zlatko Dalic named a 26-man provisional squad plus seven standby players.<\/li>\n<li>Croatia will play in Group L against England, Ghana and Panama.<\/li>\n<li>Croatia\u2019s opener is set for June 17 versus England in Arlington, Texas.<\/li>\n<li>The final squad will be announced on June 1.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Modric is expected to be fit in time after the injury he sustained last month, with Croatia hoping he can provide his usual control in the middle of the pitch. The former Ballon d\u2019Or winner from 2018 has amassed 196 international caps, and Dalic\u2019s plans continue to revolve around his leadership and experience.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to reporters, Dalic said Modric has been training using a facial mask and has been progressing well. \u201cHe\u2019s training with a facial mask and doing well. Maybe this break helped him,\u201d Dalic said, adding that while his condition will be assessed, he does not doubt the player\u2019s readiness. \u201cWe\u2019ll see his condition, but I don\u2019t doubt him. He\u2019ll be in good form.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Croatia\u2019s World Cup challenge begins in Group L, where they face England, Ghana and Panama. The draw sets up a stern opening test, with Croatia required to manage a high-profile opponent and then adapt to different styles in their remaining group matches.<\/p>\n<h3>Defensive options highlighted<\/h3>\n<p>The provisional squad blends established figures with younger talent, with particular strength in defence. Manchester City centre-back Josko Gvardiol and highly regarded teenager Luka Vuskovic are among the key options available at the back.<\/p>\n<p>Gvardiol, 24, returned to training and match work this month after missing time for five months due to a tibial fracture. He will be aiming to build full sharpness before Croatia\u2019s first game against England on June 17 in Arlington, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Dalic suggested Gvardiol\u2019s return could be significant, saying: \u201cWe hope he\u2019ll be ready to play. We expect him to be a major boost for us in the U.S.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Vuskovic, 19, is viewed as one of Europe\u2019s most exciting defensive prospects and is seen as a window into Croatia\u2019s future. Like Gvardiol, he has also returned from injury this month after dealing with a knee issue.<\/p>\n<p>Dalic, who has been in charge since 2017, has overseen the most successful stretch of Croatia\u2019s modern era. Under his guidance, Croatia reached second place in 2018 and finished third in 2022, results that have helped set expectations for another deep tournament run.<\/p>\n<p>When asked about Croatia\u2019s targets, Dalic emphasized the importance of the group stage. \u201cThe main goal is to get through the group. I\u2019m optimistic as always \u2013 we have a good national team. We have quality, youth and experience,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>After the England clash, Croatia\u2019s schedule in Group L continues with matches against Ghana and Panama. Dalic indicated the team\u2019s tactical approach will vary across the three games, with the opening matchup demanding a more cautious plan.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe will certainly be tougher and more defensive against England, playing with more midfielders. England want to be world champions,\u201d Dalic said. He added that the games against Ghana and Panama will look different: \u201cAgainst Ghana and Panama, it will be different \u2013 much more attack-oriented \u2013 but neither will be any less challenging.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>World Cup squad lists<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Goalkeepers:<\/strong> Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Dominik Kotarski (Copenhagen), Ivor Pandur (Hull City).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Defenders:<\/strong> Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Sutalo (Ajax Amsterdam), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina), Martin Erlic (Midtjylland), Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Midfielders:<\/strong> Luka Modric (AC Milan), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Luka Sucic (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakic (Augsburg), Petar Sucic (Inter Milan), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Forwards:<\/strong> Ivan Perisic (PSV Eindhoven), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Orlando City), Petar Musa (Dallas), Igor Matanovic (Freiburg).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Standby:<\/strong> Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg), Franjo Ivanovic (Benfica), Dion Drena Beljo (Dinamo), Ivan Smolcic (Como), Karlo Letica (Lausanne), Adrian Segecic (Portsmouth), Luka Stojkovic (Dinamo).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Croatia captain Luka Modric has been named in the nation\u2019s provisional World Cup squad, arriving just weeks after undergoing surgery on a cheekbone. The 40-year-old midfield anchor is now eyeing a fifth appearance at the tournament as he targets a return to full fitness. Head coach Zlatko Dalic has selected a 26-man group, with seven [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":582,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Croatia World Cup Squad: Modric Returns After Cheekbone Surgery","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Luka Modric returns to Croatia\u2019s provisional World Cup squad after cheekbone surgery, as Dalic names 26 players and targets a fift","mma_seo_breadcrumb_text":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_url":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_hide_ui":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_labels":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Croatia World Cup Squad: Modric Returns After Cheekbone Surgery<\/title>\n<meta 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