Dalic Leans Back to 4-3-3 in Croatia Roster Plans
Zlatko Dalic is leaning back to a back four in the Croatia roster for the 2026 World Cup after trying three at the back in two March friendlies. The shift points toward either a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 as Croatia open against England, with the veteran core still driving the side.
Dalic and Croatia’s back four
Dalic said after Croatia beat the Faroe Islands last November that he would not try three at the back again. That stance changed in March, when Croatia used the system in a 2-1 win over Colombia and a 3-1 loss to Brazil, and now the coach is inclined to return to the shape he has used as a constant during almost a decade in charge.
He has been Croatia’s manager for almost a decade and led the team to a silver medal in Russia and bronze in Qatar. His contract ends with this World Cup, and the shape he chooses now will frame how much mileage he gets from a squad that is among the oldest in the tournament.
Modric, Kovacic and Perisic
Roughly half or more of Croatia’s starters are into their 30s, with Luka Modric now 40, Mateo Kovacic 32, Ivan Perisic 37 and Andrej Kramaric turning 35. Modric remains central to the side, and he scored his 29th international goal in a warm-up match against Slovenia before North America.
That age profile is part of the tactical choice. Croatia can still lean on experience, but Dalic’s return to a back four suggests he wants cleaner structure behind the ball rather than another short trial of three center backs. Josko Gvardiol and Kovacic have returned from injury and remain part of the setup the coach relies on.
England, Panama and Ghana
Croatia’s group schedule starts on 17 June against England in Dallas at 3pm local time, before Panama in Toronto on 23 June at 7pm local time and Ghana in Philadelphia on 27 June at 5pm local time. The opener will tell the most about how quickly Dalic settles on the shape he now appears ready to trust.
Luka Vuskovic adds another option in the back line as a ball-playing, playmaking, scoring center-back who is dominant in the air. For Croatia, the practical question is not whether the old core still knows how to compete; it is whether Dalic now gives it the back four he has leaned on for years.
