The Croatia head coach has hit back at critics who question his team’s age and ambition ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, pointing to three medals in two tournaments as proof that the Croatia remain a force to be reckoned with as the country prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Speaking ahead of Croatia’s Group L campaign in which they will face England, Panama, and Ghana, Dalić defended his team against doubts about their ageing squad, saying Croatia’s strong performances over the past decade prove they are still a top team.
They’ve been saying we’re old since 2018, yet we’ve been among the most decorated teams at recent World Cups.” Zlatko Dalić, Croatia Head Coach
At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Croatia reached the final for the first time in the country’s history, losing 4–2 to eventual champions France in Moscow. Four years later in Qatar, they returned to the semi-finals, where they were edged out before going on to secure third place, their second consecutive podium finish at the World Cup.
It is a level of consistency that very few countries in world football can match. While many traditional football powers have struggled in knockout matches, Croatia have regularly reached the final stages of the last two major tournaments, winning three medals along the way. Dalić is using that success to defend his experienced squad against critics who believe the team is too old.
Croatia at Recent World Cups
2018 Russia:
Runners-Up: Defeated Argentina, England, and Russia en route to the final before losing to France 4–2
2022 Qatar: Semi-Finalists and Third Place
Eliminated Brazil and Japan before falling to Argentina
Combined medals:
Silver (2018), Bronze (2022), two consecutive podium finishes
Dalić also spoke about England, who are in the same Group L as Croatia, and compared their recent World Cup records. He noted that England have not won a World Cup medal since 1966, while Croatia, despite being a much smaller country, have won three medals in the last eight years.
England haven’t won a World Cup medal in 60 years, while Croatia have won three,” Dalić noted, in a line that will not have gone unnoticed in the England camp.It is much harder to stay at the top than it is to get there.” Zlatko Dalić, Croatia Head Coach
Eight Years at the Summit
According to Dalić it’s consistency over time. Getting to a World Cup final or semi-final once might be luck or an easy path. But doing it in two straight World Cups, against top teams, despite people saying the squad is too old, shows real strength and long-term quality.
We’ve maintained excellence for eight years and achieved it through quality, hard work, skill, and tactics,” the coach said.
The coach was also candid about the psychological dimension of his side’s situation.
They always underestimate us and say we’re worn out and too old,”