Croatia Seal Qualification for 2026 World Cup as Modrić Prepares for Fifth Global Appearance

By Emmanuel Austin Baah Last updated Nov 15, 2025

Croatia have officially secured their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming one of Europe’s early qualifiers for the expanded global tournament to be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 2018 World Cup finalists confirmed their qualification after a consistent and disciplined campaign, marked by strong performances and the experience of their senior players.

One of the major talking points ahead of the tournament is the impending appearance of Croatian captain Luka Modrić, who is set to feature in his fifth FIFA World Cup, an exceptional milestone in international football. The 39-year-old midfield maestro, widely regarded as one of Europe’s finest players of his generation, continues to demonstrate remarkable longevity and leadership for both club and country.

Modrić made his World Cup debut in Germany in 2006, and has since played pivotal roles for Croatia in the 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions. His standout tournament remains Russia 2018, where he captained his nation to the final and won the Golden Ball as the competition’s best player.

Croatian football authorities have praised the team’s determination, highlighting the blend of experienced figures like Modrić and a new generation of rising talents who have strengthened the squad.

With qualification now secured, attention in Croatia shifts to preparations for next year’s tournament, where the team will aim to improve upon their impressive performances at recent editions.

As excitement builds, many football enthusiasts across the world—particularly in Ghana, where the European game enjoys a vibrant following—will be keen to see whether Modrić can once again inspire the “Vatreni” on football’s biggest stage.

Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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