National team coach sets roster for UEFA Nations League

Manager of the Croatian football team Zlatko Dalić released the names of the 24 players that will compete in the opening matches of the UEFA Nations League.

Last season, Croatia reached the final where they lost against Spain.

The new season kicks off in September with a match against Portugal on 5 September in Lisbon. This is followed by a home game against Poland on 8 September in Osijek.

The team is set to gather in Zagreb on Monday, 2 September.

"The UEFA Nations League will provide a good foundation to build the team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying," said Dalić.

Dalić mentioned that the team would be without Domagoj Vida and Marcelo Brozović, who both retired from national team play, but said he was happy that captain Luka Modrić would remain to provide strength both on and off the field.

"Everybody has a chance to fight for his role on the national team, through hard work and quality performances. The opponents in the Nations League are strong, starting with Portugal. Croatia always seeks to win and to succeed; but our main objective remains to select the team for the qualifiers. We'll be looking for some new faces and try some new solutions. However, the most important thing is to maintain unity, team spirit, and our winning mentality," said Dalić.

Croatia's roster for the Portugal and Poland encounters:

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livaković, Dominik Kotarski, Nediljko Labrović

Defenders: Joško Gvardiol, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Borna Sosa, Josip Stanišić, Josip Šutalo, Marin Pongračić, Martin Erlić

Midfielders: Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, Lovro Majer, Luka Ivanušec, Luka Sučić, Kristijan Jakić, Martin Baturina, Petar Sučić

Forwards: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Bruno Petković, Ante Budimir, Igor Matanović

Stand-by: Borna Barišić, Marko Pjaca, Ivica Ivušić, Marco Pašalić, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk, Robert Ljubičić