Josip Stanišić: Dalic Reverts Croatia to Back Four for 2026

josip stanišić sits inside a Croatia squad that is heading to the 2026 World Cup with Luka Modric, 40, still leading the midfield and Zlatko Dalic likely to return to a back four. Croatia qualified with a serious challenge from Czechia in their group, then beat the Faroe Islands in November to secure top spot with one game to go.

Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric shape the core of a side that will be among the oldest at the tournament. Croatia will open against England in Dallas on 17 June, then play Panama in Toronto on 23 June and Ghana in Philadelphia on 27 June.

Dalic returns to a back four

Dalic said after Croatia beat the Faroe Islands, “I will never try to play with three at the back again.” He later tested that system in March friendlies against Colombia and Brazil, where Croatia beat Colombia 2-1 and lost 3-1 to Brazil. The likely return to a back four leaves Croatia looking at either a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 for the tournament.

The manager has been in charge for nine years, and his record gives the shape change added weight. Dalic led Croatia to a silver medal in Russia and bronze in Qatar, which makes the 2026 tournament his third World Cup in charge.

Modric and Croatia's aging core

Modric scored his 29th international goal in a warm-up match against Slovenia and should surpass the 200-cap mark in North America. At 40, he remains the reference point for a squad built around experience, with Kovacic now 32, Perisic 37 and Kramaric turning 35. Croatia are also relying on Josko Gvardiol and Kovacic as they prepare for the tournament.

Luka Vuskovic is described as a ball-playing, playmaking, scoring centre-back, giving Croatia one younger option in a group still centered on veterans. That mix, and the choice between a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1, will shape how Croatia approach the opening against England before the matches against Panama and Ghana.

England, Panama and Ghana

The schedule gives Croatia three different tests in three cities: Dallas, Toronto and Philadelphia. England arrive first on 17 June, and the next two group games follow against Panama and Ghana, which means Dalic will have to settle his shape quickly if Croatia want their senior players carrying the side rather than chasing it.