Luka Modric has been included in Croatia's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with coach Zlatko Dalic confident the veteran midfielder will recover from a fractured cheekbone ahead of the tournament.

The 40-year-old suffered the injury in a clash of heads during Inter Milan's match against Juventus in late April. He has since undergone surgery and is reported to be progressing well in training.

"He's training with a [facial] mask and doing well. Maybe this break helped him. We'll see his condition, but I don't doubt him. He'll be in good form," Dalic said.

Modric, a Ballon d'Or winner in 2018, played a central role in Croatia's run to the World Cup final that same year and their semi-final appearance in 2022. The Dallas tournament will mark his fifth World Cup.

Gvardiol also included despite shin injury

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol has also made the squad despite fracturing his shin in January. Dalic said the 24-year-old would be eased back into form during warm-up fixtures before the tournament begins on 11 June.

"We hope he'll be ready to play. We expect him to be a major boost for us in the US," Dalic added.

Gvardiol's Manchester City team-mate Mateo Kovacic is among three England-based players in the squad, alongside Hull City goalkeeper Ivor Pandur. Former Everton and West Ham midfielder Nikola Vlasic, now at Torino, and ex-Tottenham winger Ivan Perisic, currently with PSV Eindhoven, are also included.

Croatia face England, Panama, and Ghana in Group L

Croatia open their World Cup campaign against England on 17 June at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before facing Panama and Ghana to complete the group stage.

Dalic outlined a cautious tactical approach for the England fixture, before switching to a more attacking style against the other group opponents.

"The main goal is to get through the group. I'm optimistic as always — we have quality, youth, and experience. We will certainly be tougher and more defensive against England, playing with more midfielders. Against Ghana and Panama, it will be different, much more attack-oriented — but neither are any less challenging," he said.

Ghana's Black Stars will be watching closely, knowing they face a Croatia side with both the experience of deep World Cup runs and the tactical adaptability Dalic has built over the years.

Full Croatia squad

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Dominik Kotarski (Copenhagen), Ivor Pandur (Hull City)

Defenders: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Sutalo (Ajax Amsterdam), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina), Martin Erlic (Midtjylland), Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg)

Midfielders: Luka Modric (AC Milan), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Luka Sucic (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakic (Augsburg), Petar Sucic (Inter Milan), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka)

Forwards: Ivan Perisic (PSV Eindhoven), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Orlando City), Petar Musa (Dallas), Igor Matanovic (Freiburg)