Czechia and Montenegro stand between Croatia and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, after 2018 World Cup nemesis France’s dramatic UEFA Nations League win.
The loss saw Zlatko Dalić’s side move into Group L, which kicks off with a June 7 visit to Gibraltar, before hosting Czechia on June 10 (both AEST). Faroe Islands is the other team in Croatia’s group.
Robert Prosinečki’s Montenegro and Ivan Hašek’s Czechia retain a 100 per cent record after two wins to kick off their qualifying campaign, in March.
Croatia lost to France in a dramatic penalty shoot-out, after a losing 2-0 at Stade de France in the second leg, finishing 2-2 on aggregate.
Bayern Munich’s Josip Stanišić missed the decisive seventh penalty, as club teammate Dayot Upamecano sent the bulk of the 77,500-crowd into French frenzy by converting the winner for a 5-4 shootout win.
Croatia substitute Franjo Ivanović skied his earlier attempt, whilst Martin Baturina also missed, with an inspired display from keeper Dominik Livaković not enough.
Dalić’s side ran out of steam, as Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele scored in the second half to offset Croatia’s 2-0 win at the Poljud Stadium three days earlier.
Having lost the chance to avenge the 2023 Nations League final defeat to Spain, Croatia’s attention now turns to qualifying for a seventh FIFA World Cup.
“It was a very difficult (game) for us. We were not able to repeat our performance from the first leg,” Dalić said.
“It is good experience for us for the future. The aim now is to get to the World Cup and I think we can do it.”
Image: Yahoo Sports
THE ROAD TO USA 2026
Croatia is favourite to top the group and secure the solitary direct qualification spot for the 2026 World Cup, which is the first 48-team tournament.
France advanced to Group D, featuring Iceland, Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Les Bleus’ qualifiers commence in September, with Nations League semi-final fixture scheduled for June.
Faroe Islands and Montenegro will be Croatia’s opponents in September, before facing Czechia and Gibraltar (October), and concluding with Faroe Islands and Montenegro in November.
The second team in Group L will advance to the World Cup playoffs.
CROATIA’S ROAD TO 2026 WORLD CUP
*All dates in AEST
Gibraltar v Croatia, June 7, Estadio Algarve
Croatia v Czechia, June 10, TBC
Faroe Islands v Croatia, September 6, TBC
Croatia v Montenegro, September 9, TBC
Czechia v Croatia, October 10, TBC
Croatia v Gibraltar, October 13, TBC
Croatia v Faroe Islands, November 15, TBC
Montenegro v Croatia, November 18, TBC