Croatia World Cup 2026 Odds, Squad & Fixtures

Croatia World Cup 2026 betting odds

Croatia are 90/1 to win the World Cup, as our World Cup winner odds guide shows. The 2018 runners-up and 2022 semi-finalists remain a serious tournament side built around the evergreen Luka Modrić, and begin their Group L campaign against England on 17 June.

Croatia to win the World Cup 2026 outright

At 90/1 Croatia are outsiders for the title, with this likely the last World Cup for the golden generation. But few sides know how to win knockout football like Dalić’s Croatia, and they should not be written off in the latter rounds.

Croatia to win Group L odds

England are clear favourites, but Croatia are 10/3 second-favourites to top Group L, and the opening fixture between the two on 17 June could go a long way to deciding first place.

Croatia to qualify from Group L odds

Croatia are strong favourites to advance behind England — with the top two and the eight best third-placed sides going through under the 48-team format, bookmakers make them odds-on to reach the Round of 32, with games against England, Panama and Ghana.

Croatia stage of elimination odds

The market expects Croatia to reach the knockouts, with a quarter-final run a realistic target for a side with so much tournament know-how. The latter rounds are where their value lies given their recent record.

Croatia top scorer odds

Andrej Kramarić leads Croatia’s hopes in the Golden Boot market at around 529/1, with captain Luka Modrić and striker Ante Budimir the other options — all rank outsiders from a side whose goals are shared around.

Odds correct as of 16 June 2026 and subject to change — always confirm the live price before betting. For the full outright market, group winners and golden-boot specials, see our World Cup 2026 betting hub.

World Cup 2026 group and fixtures

Croatia are in Group L at the World Cup with England, Ghana and Panama. Zlatko Dalić’s side open against England on 17 June in the standout fixture of the group, before facing Panama and Ghana. With the top two and the eight best third-placed sides advancing under the 48-team format, the 2018 finalists are strongly fancied to progress.

Group L gets under way on 17 June 2026 — no matches have been played yet. Top two plus the eight best third-placed sides reach the Round of 32.

Croatia World Cup 2026 squad

Dalić’s squad blends the experience of captain Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić and Ivan Perišić with the prime talent of Joško Gvardiol and the emerging Martin Baturina and Petar Sučić.

Team news: At 40, Modrić — now at AC Milan — is set to captain Croatia at a record sixth World Cup. The numbers below are the confirmed FIFA squad list.

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

How Croatia will play

Dalić sets Croatia up in a 4-2-3-1 built around midfield control, with Modrić and Kovačić dictating the tempo and Gvardiol marshalling the defence. Few sides keep the ball better, and their experience in tight knockout games makes them dangerous opponents for anyone.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)

Predicted starting XI — 4-2-3-1, built around captain Luka Modrić.

Manager: Zlatko Dalić

The architect of Croatia’s golden era, Dalić led them to the 2018 final and the 2022 semi-finals. His loyalty to the experienced core and his nous in tournament football have made Croatia consistent overachievers, and he will look to extract one last deep run from this group.

Captain: Luka Modrić

At 40 and now with AC Milan, the Ballon d’Or winner is set for a record sixth World Cup as captain. Still Croatia’s heartbeat, Modrić’s range of passing and game management remain central to everything the side does.

Croatia players to watch at World Cup 2026

Luka Modrić — Midfielder

Captain and talisman. Even at 40, his vision and control set the rhythm for Croatia and make him the player opponents must contain.

Joško Gvardiol — Defender

The Manchester City defender is among the best in the world in his position, equally comfortable at centre-back or left-back and a key figure at both ends.

Andrej Kramarić — Forward

The experienced forward is Croatia’s most reliable source of goals and leads their Golden Boot betting from an attack that shares the scoring around.

How Croatia qualified for World Cup 2026

Croatia came through European qualifying to reach a seventh World Cup, Dalić again guiding the experienced core to the finals.

Croatia’s World Cup history

Croatia announced themselves with third place on their 1998 debut, then enjoyed a golden era under Dalić — runners-up at Russia 2018 and semi-finalists (third place) at Qatar 2022. That tournament pedigree makes them dangerous regardless of their long outright odds.

Head-to-head record

Croatia vs England

A repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi-final, which Croatia won 2-1 after extra time. England won the Euro 2020 group meeting 1-0; the 17 June opener in Arlington is the headline fixture of Group L.

Croatia vs Panama

Croatia face Panama in Toronto in a game they will be expected to win to build momentum.

Croatia vs Ghana

Croatia close the group against Ghana in Philadelphia, a fixture that could decide their final position.

Responsible gambling

Odds in this article are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change. Always check the latest prices on the bookmaker’s site before placing a bet.

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