Croatia head into their World Cup opener with the kind of profile England would rather avoid: a team that is older in key areas, but still proven where it matters. They were runners-up four years before finishing third at the 2022 World Cup, are ranked 11th in the world, and still carry enough top-level quality through the spine to make this a seriously awkward first game.

Why Croatia are still a problem in tournament football

The obvious starting point is Luka Modrić. At 40, he is still the face of this side and still central to how it functions. He has 198 caps and 29 goals for Croatia, and his club workload says plenty about where he is physically. Modrić played 2,788 league minutes in 2025-26, his highest total since 2010-11 with Tottenham.

That matters because this is not just sentiment selection. Modrić is still being used heavily, still trusted, and still giving Croatia control in matches where tempo matters.

The wider tournament record backs up the point. Croatia were runners-up in 2018 and then took third place in 2022. Six players remain from that 2018 World Cup squad, including members of the group that beat England in the semi-finals. This team has changed, but not so much that its tournament muscle memory has disappeared.

The defence and attack still have real weight

If Modric remains the organiser, Joško Gvardiol is still the defensive headline. He only returned on 13 May after a four-month absence, so there is no need to overstate where he is physically, but his standing inside the squad has not changed. Zlatko Dalic called him "the best centre-back in the world" in comments to BBC Sport.

Gvardiol's recent club rating across his last five matches sits at 6.96. That is solid rather than explosive, which makes sense after a long lay-off. The bigger point for Croatia is simple enough: getting a defender of his level back before the tournament raises the floor of the whole side. He also scored with a diving header in the third-place play-off win over Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, a reminder that he can affect games at both ends.

Further forward, Andrej Kramaric gives Croatia dependable end product. He scored 15 goals for Hoffenheim in 2025-26 and has 158 goals for the club after a decade there. His recent five-game rating of 6.8 is fine, but the stronger evidence is the season-long output. England do not need a warning about a player in a purple patch. They need one about a forward who still finishes chances over the long run.

Croatia are not relying only on veterans

There is a newer layer here too, and that is what stops this side feeling purely nostalgic. Petar Sučić averaged 7.34 across his last five club matches, the best figure among the players highlighted here. Robert Prosinecki told BBC Sport: "Inter has found a player who can cover every midfield role, and I'm sure Sucic will become a pillar of the new era."

Then there is Luka Vušković, who averaged 7.2 across his last five club matches and was shortlisted for both Bundesliga player of the season and rookie of the season awards. Dalic said he "will be one of the pillars of our national team for the next 10 years".

That blend is what makes Croatia such a difficult opener. The old core has not gone away, and the younger pieces already look established enough to help straight away. England are not facing a team living off reputation alone. They are facing one with a 40-year-old playmaker still logging major minutes, a top defender back in the fold, a striker coming off a 15-goal season, and enough recent tournament evidence to take the threat seriously.

FAQ

Why is Croatia still a difficult World Cup opener for England?

Croatia still have a proven tournament core. They were runners-up in 2018 and finished third in 2022, are ranked 11th in the world, and still lean on experienced players such as Luka Modric. Add Joško Gvardiol's return, Andrej Kramaric's 15-goal club season and Petar Sučić's strong recent form, and this is not a comfortable opening game.

Is Luka Modric still important for Croatia at 40?

Yes. Modric goes into the tournament on 198 caps and 29 goals for Croatia, and his workload at club level shows he is still trusted heavily. He played 2,788 league minutes in 2025-26, his highest total since 2010-11 with Tottenham, which underlines how central he remains.

How fit is Josko Gvardiol before England play Croatia?

There is no basis to say he is fully back to full rhythm yet. Gvardiol only returned on 13 May after a four-month absence, so the safer reading is that Croatia have regained a major defender without pretending all uncertainty has gone. Zlatko Dalic still called him "the best centre-back in the world."

Who are the younger Croatia players England need to watch?

Petar Sučić and Luka Vušković stand out. Sučić averaged 7.34 across his last five club matches, while Vušković averaged 7.2 and was shortlisted for both Bundesliga player of the season and rookie of the season awards. Croatia are not relying only on veterans.

Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →