UEFA · Group L
FIFA World Cup 2026
Croatia
FIFA Ranking #9Coach Zlatko DalićCRO
Team quick answers
What group is Croatia in at World Cup 2026?
Croatia are in Group L with England, Panama, Ghana. The group is a four-team round-robin.
Who coaches Croatia and what is their FIFA ranking?
Croatia are coached by Zlatko Dalić, are FIFA-ranked #9, and use the team code CRO.
When does Croatia's group-stage campaign start?
Croatia's first group match is against England on June 17, 2026 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Their full group-stage window runs June 17, 2026 — June 27, 2026.
How can Croatia reach the knockout stage?
Croatia advance directly to the Round of 32 by finishing in the top two of Group L. If they finish third, they need to be one of the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups.
Team profile
Croatia arrive at FIFA World Cup 2026 as a top-15 nation in the FIFA rankings, ranked #9 in the FIFA world rankings. Zlatko Dalić leads the squad after qualifying through the UEFA qualifying pathway. They have been drawn into Group L, a four-team round-robin where the top two advance directly to the round of 32 and the third-placed team competes for one of eight best-third spots.
Confederation: UEFA (Europe) — the confederation with the largest WC2026 contingent at 16 teams. Croatia's qualification campaign placed them among the 16 sides representing their region at the expanded 48-team tournament.
Croatia share Group L with England, Ghana, Panama. Average FIFA rank of the group: #34.
Croatia's group-stage campaign runs from June 17, 2026 to June 27, 2026, with three matches over approximately two weeks.
FIFA World Cup 2026 is the first edition with 48 teams, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026. The expanded format means most teams need only finish in the top three of their group to keep playing.
