Croatia are set to take part in their fourth consecutive World Cup and sixth overall since the country gained independence in 1991, and they have never been closer to the title than four years ago.
Croatia participated in their first World Cup final in Russia but left the Luzhniki Stadium with silver medals after a 4-2 defeat to France.
Zlatko Dalic’s side will now be looking to go one better, and while they are normally viewed as one of the dark horses in major international tournaments, their performances in the Nations League have shown that they are more than capable of another deep run in Qatar.
Captain Luka Modric has helped his side to a draw and a victory over world champions France, who scored just one goal across the two Nations League matches.
Modric remains one of the best midfielders in world football as a regular starter for Real Madrid, with Marcelo Brozovic of Inter Milan and Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic crafting a wealth of experience in central areas.
There are some promising stars in defence too, such as Martin Erlic helping shape in what looks to be a positive era for Croatia, whose shift in focus has seen them become a team that looks to control games through their defensive structure and technical ability.
Croatia have lost just one of their last 13 games as they approach September Nations League clashes, which will be the final two competitive games before they kick-off their World Cup campaign against Morocco on November 23.
Croatia's Road to Qatar
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HOW CROATIA QUALIFIED FOR WORLD CUP 2022: (Group H): March 24, 2021. Slovenia 1 (Lovric 15') Croatia 0: A surprise defeat for the 2018 World Cup runners-up as Sandi Lovric's early goal proved the match-winner. Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said: "Congratulations to the home team. We didn't look good. We were trying to do something, but at the end, we didn't deserve anything but a defeat here." Getty -
March 27, 2021. Croatia 1 (Pasalic 40') Cyprus 0: Luka Modric became Croatia's most-capped player (135 appearances) as the home side sealed three points through Mario Pasalic's header. Dalic said: "It wasn't as convincing as I expected, but three points are the most important thing. It was a tough game ... but, Croatia have to be much, much better when we play against teams like this." Getty -
March 30, 2021. Croatia 3 (Perisic 62', Modric pen 76', Brekalo 90') Malta 0: It took Croatia more than an hour to make breakthrough with second-half substitutes Ivan Perisic, Luka Modric and Josip Brekalo finally doing the damage. Dalic said: "Seven days, three matches, it's not easy for anyone. But we know what our goal is. We will finish first in our group and we will go to the World Cup." Getty -
September 1, 2021. Russia 0 Croatia 0: Both teams stay on course for Qatar after a dull game short in Moscow. "Strategy-wise it might be OK to get a point away in Moscow but I still expected more," said Dalic. "We are going through a tough schedule with the Slovakia game coming just a few days after and we didn't play to our full strength." AFP -
September 4, 2021. Slovakia 0 Croatia 1 (Brozovic 86') Marcelo Brozovic vollyed home the winner four minutes from time to move Croatia joint top of Group H alongside Russia. “Congratulations to my side for the effort and for not giving up and fighting," Dalic said. "The pitch was very bad and it hindered us but the three points was the most important." Reuters -
September 7, 2021. Croatia 3 (Livaja 33', Pasalic 66', Vlasic 90'+4) Slovenia 0: Croatia gained revenge for their opening defeat with midfielder Mario Pasalic scoring one goal and setting up another. "We have not conceded a goal in the last five games in qualifying which is excellent. We have taken a big step to qualifying for Qatar," said Dalic. Reuters -
October 8, 2021. Cyprus 0 Croatia 3 (Perisic 45+2', Gvardiol 80', Livaja 90+2'): Croatia remained top of the group on goal difference over Russia but needed two late goals from Josko Gvardiol and Marko Livaja to finish off Cyprus in Larnaca. EPA -
October 11, 2021. Croatia 2 (Kramaric 25', Modric 71') Slovakia 2 (Schranz 20', Haraslin 45'): Veteran midfielder Luka Modric earned his team a point after Slovakia threatened to produce a shock in Osijek. "We controlled the match and had possession," Dalic said. "We conceded two soft goals when we didn't react well. I really don't have anything to complain about to the players." Reuters -
November 11, 2021: Malta 1 (Brozovic og 31') Croatia 7 (Perisic 6', Caleta-Car 22', Pasalic 39', Modric 45+1', Majer 47', 64', Kramarić 53'): Croatia's crushing win sets up final match decider against Russia to decide who automatically qualifies for Qatar. AFP -
November 14, 2021. Croatia 1 (Kudryashov 81') Russia 0: A late own goal from Fyodor Kudryashov earned Croatia a deserved win and automatic spot in Qatar after a string of saves by Russia goalkeeper Matvei Safonov threatened to keep them at bay. Croatia captain Modric said: "It was a difficult match from the beginning because of the rain. We never gave up, we were patient and I think we won deservedly. We are the best team in this group." Reuters
Manager: Zlatko Dalic
Star Player: Luka Modric
One to watch: Martin Erlic
World Cup finals appeared in: 1998, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2018
Fixtures: Nov 23 – Morocco v Croatia / Nov 27 – Croatia v Canada / Dec 1 – Croatia v Belgium
