Since the country’s independence in 1991, Croatia has qualified for six World Cup finals. In 1994 they were not eligible to play, while in 2010 they failed to qualify against Ukraine and England. The very first time they participated in 1998, the team finished a sensational third. This success was surpassed once again when the team reached the final of the 2018 World Cup. There, they lost 4-2 to France
At the other World Cups, however, Croatia already failed in the preliminary round. At Euro 2021, Croatia was eliminated in the round of 16 against Spain.
The qualification route
In Group H of the UEFA qualifiers, Croatia faced Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta. Right at the beginning of the qualification there was a 0:1 defeat against Slovenia. It was to remain the only one.
However, the group remained contested until the last matchday. Russia was at the top of the table until the final match, but Croatia beat the Russians 1-0 in a direct duel and thus snatched direct qualification.
Stars
Luka Modric was voted World Footballer after his outstanding 2018 World Cup performance. The Real Madrid player is also Croatia’s 2022 hope as a leader and organizer in midfield.
He is supported by two other top-class midfielders: Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea FC and Marcelo Brozovic of Inter Milan. Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig), only 20 years old, is now considered one of the best central defenders in the Bundesliga, while veteran Ivan Perisic is meanwhile whirling around at Tottenham Hotspurs.
A real goal scorer is missing.
The coach
Zlatko Delic has been in charge since October 2017 and led Croatia to the World Cup final – a success no one expected at the time. Before his appointment as national coach, Delic stood out rather less as a coach. He only coached clubs from Croatia and Saudi Arabia. In his 60 games as Croatia’s head coach up to and including July 2022, he averaged 1.75 points.
He often showed variability in his tactics, sometimes playing with a three-man or a four-man defensive chain. Most of the time, however, he relies on a 4-3-3. In June, Croatia defeated reigning world champions France 1-0 in this manner.
His co-coach is former top striker Mario Mandzukic.
Best lineup
Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb) – Josip Stanisic (FC Bayern Munich), Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig), Duje Caleta-Car (Olympique Marseille), Borna Sosa (VfB Stuttgart) – Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan), Mateo Kovacic (FC Chelsea London), Luka Modric (Real Madrid) – Nikola Vlasic (West Ham United), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim 1899), Ivan Perisic (Tottenham Hotspurs)
World Cup 2022
The reigning World Cup runners-up will face teams from Belgium, Canada and Morocco in Group F of the 2022 World Cup.
At the 2018 World Cup, Croatia more than exceeded expectations and was always in the role of the glaring underdog until the final. That will change now, as no one will underestimate Croatia anymore.
At the 2002 World Cup, there was the sobering early elimination after the celebrated 3rd place in 1998 in France. But that doesn’t have to happen again to Croatia in 2022.
With Canada and Morocco, they have two group opponents against whom victories are practically mandatory. The match against Belgium on Matchday 3 will be dominated by the question of who Belgium or Croatia prefer to play in the round of 16, if there is already a tendency at the time of the match: With Spain or Germany, the possible opponents are probably two teams that Croatia will most likely knock out.
More than the participation in the round of 16 will probably not come out of it for Croatia in 2022.
Odds
- No qualification for the round of 16 – 2.25
- Qualification for the round of 16 – 1.57
- Qualification for the quarterfinals – 4.00
- Qualification for the semifinals – 8,00
- World Cup title – 51,00
We list here the betting odds offered by Bet365. These are snapshots that can change constantly. All odds without guarantee.
Other teams in the World Cup Group F: