Croatia's World Cup Squad Announced: Modric Included Despite Injury

Kathmandu. Veteran midfielder Luka Modric has been included in Croatia's 26-member squad announced for the World Cup, despite being injured. He is expected to recover from his injury before the tournament begins. 

The 40-year-old AC Milan playmaker was injured in late April during a match against Juventus when his head collided with another player. Modric, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, underwent surgery after the injury. He is currently preparing to return to the field wearing a special facial mask. 

Head coach Zlatko Dalić, speaking about Modric's condition, said, 'He is currently practicing with a mask and doing well. Perhaps this break has benefited him even more. We will monitor his condition, but I have no doubts about him. He will be in excellent form.' 

Former Real Madrid and Tottenham player Modric played a key role in taking Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and the semi-finals in 2022. This will be his fifth World Cup. Manchester City's 24-year-old defender Joško Gvardiol has also been included in the squad. His shin bone was fractured last January. Coach Dalić informed that Gvardiol will be given ample opportunity to regain form in the practice matches before the World Cup, which begins in America on June 11. 

Coach Dalić believes Gvardiol will be a great asset to the team in the matches in America. Three players playing professional football in England, including Gvardiol's City teammate Mateo Kovačić and Hull City's goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, have made it to the Croatian squad. 

Former Everton and West Ham midfielder Nikola Vlašić and former Tottenham winger Ivan Perišić have also been included in the squad. They are currently playing for Torino and PSV Eindhoven respectively. 

Croatia, in Group 'L', will begin their World Cup journey against England on June 17 at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. They will then face Panama and Ghana in the group stage. Dalić stated that the team's main goal is to advance from the group stage and that he is as optimistic as ever due to the excellent blend of young and experienced players in the squad. 

Dalić added, 'We will adopt a defensive and strong strategy against England, using more midfielders, because England wants to become world champions. The matches against Ghana and Panama will be different and more attacking, but those matches are equally challenging for us.' 

The goalkeeping department for the announced Croatian World Cup squad includes Dominik Livaković, Dominik Kotarski, and Ivor Pandur. Defenders include Joško Gvardiol, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Šutalo, Josip Stanišić, Marin Pongračić, Martin Erlić, and Lovro Vušković were selected. Midfielders include Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić, Luka Sučić, Martin Baturina, Kristijan Jakić, Petar Sučić, Nikola Moro, and Toni Frück, while the forward responsibilities will be handled by Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, Marko Pašalić, Petar Musa, and Igor Matanović.