Croatia are preparing for another World Cup, and Luka Modric is set to play in his fifth tournament.

The Milan midfielder will further cement his legacy on soccer’s biggest stage in the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico. He will be 40 years old when the tournament kicks off. This is expected to be his final major international competition with Croatia, where he has long served as captain and leader under coach Zlatko Dalic. He previously helped guide the team to a runner-up finish in 2018 and a third-place finish in 2022.

Modric approaching 200 caps

During the tournament, Modric is expected to reach 200 appearances for Croatia. He has already represented his country at the 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups. The only edition he missed during his career peak came in 2010, when Croatia failed to qualify.

If Modric reaches that 200-cap milestone this summer, he will join an elite group of international legends to have featured in five World Cups, which includes Antonio Carbajal, Rafa Marquez, Andres Guardado (all Mexico) and Lothar Matthaus (Germany). Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico) and Yuto Nagatomo (Japan) can all extend their World Cup records with a sixth appearance in 2026.

Final Croatia squad taking shape

Croatia’s preliminary squad does not include many surprises, with June 1 set as the deadline for Dalic to name his final 26-man roster.

One lingering question is whether Modric will need to wear a protective mask during the tournament after a facial injury suffered while playing for Milan.

Croatia preliminary squad for World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: Dominic Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Dominik Kotarski (Copenhagen), Ivor Pandur (Hull City)

Defenders: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Sutalo (Ajax), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina), Martin Erlic (Midtjylland), Luka Vuskovic (Hamburger SV)

Midfielders: Luka Modric (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)

Forwards: Ivan Perisic (PSV Eindhoven), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Orlando City), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Igor Matanovic (Freiburg)

Reserves: Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg), Franjo Ivanovic (Benfica), Drena Beljo (Dinamo Zagreb), Marin Smolcic (Como), Karlo Letica (Lausanne-Sport), Adrian Segecic (Portsmouth), Marko Stojkovic (Dinamo Zagreb)

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