The Croatian national team has officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup and has announced its squad for the tournament, featuring a notable inclusion. Midfielder Luka Modrić, a legendary figure in football, will be making his fifth appearance at the World Cup. At 40 years old, Modrić aims to achieve significant success on the global stage once again.
Modrić played a crucial role in Croatia’s successful run to the World Cup final in 2018, where the team finished as runners-up with a 5–2 loss. In 2022, Croatia secured third place after a semi-final defeat, triumphing over Morocco in the third-place playoff.
Meanwhile, there is growing optimism within the Spain camp regarding the health of one of their key players as the World Cup approaches. However, organizers are dealing with concerns related to the venue for the tournament’s opening match. The Azteca Stadium, which will host the inaugural game as well as several other matches, has come under scrutiny due to troubling reports.