Croatia name injured veteran Luka Modric in their World Cup squad
Croatia have named 40-year-old midfielder Luka Modric in their 26-man World Cup squad as he recovers from a fractured cheekbone ahead of the North American tournament.
The veteran playmaker suffered the facial injury following a clash of heads while playing for Inter Milan against Juventus at the end of April.
Since undergoing surgery, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner has returned to training wearing a protective mask.
Dalic confident in captain’s fitness
“He’s training with a facial mask and doing well. Maybe this break helped him,” head coach Zlatko Dalic said.
“We’ll see his condition, but I don’t doubt him. He’ll be in good form.”
The former Real Madrid and Tottenham star was instrumental in his nation’s run to the 2018 final and 2022 semi-final.
This summer’s tournament will mark a remarkable fifth World Cup appearance for the enduring midfielder.
Gvardiol included despite shin fracture
Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol has also been named in the travelling party despite breaking his shin in January.
The 24-year-old centre-back will use upcoming warm-up fixtures to build match fitness before the tournament kicks off on 11 June.
“We hope he’ll be ready to play. We expect him to be a major boost for us in the US,” Dalic added.
Gvardiol’s club team-mate Mateo Kovacic joins him in the squad alongside Hull City goalkeeper Ivor Pandur.
Focus shifts to England opener
The European side begin their Group L campaign against England at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas on 17 June.
Following their opener against the Three Lions, they will face Panama and Ghana to complete their group stage fixtures.
“The main goal is to get through the group. I’m optimistic as always, we have a good national team,” the Croatian manager stated.
He admitted his side will adopt a more defensive, midfield-heavy approach against an England team harbouring ambitions of becoming world champions.
“Against Ghana and Panama, it will be different, much more attack-oriented but neither are any less challenging.”
Croatia’s 26-man squad in full
- Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Dominik Kotarski, Ivor Pandur
- Defenders: Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Sutalo, Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Martin Erlic, Luka Vuskovic
- Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Luka Sucic, Martin Baturina, Kristijan Jakic, Petar Sucic, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk
- Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir, Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa, Igor Matanovic