Croatia

“Croatia at WC2026 is expected to employ a 4-3-3 formation, utilizing a high-intensity press to disrupt opponents' rhythms and quickly transition into swift counter-attacks. Their key strength lies in the midfield trio of Josip Šutalo, Luka Modrić, and Josko Gvardiol, who possess exceptional technical ability, vision, and tactical awareness, allowing them to dominate possession and create high-quality scoring opportunities. However, a recurring concern for Croatia is their vulnerability to aerial threats, particularly with the absence of a traditional target man and the reliance on more mobile forwards who may struggle to compete in the air against taller opposition center-backs.”