Euros: Croatia news, fixtures, manager, key players, Euros record

Croatia came close to claiming a maiden title at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as they reached the semi-finals, ultimately finishing in third spot.

The Kockasti have a fantastic record in World Cups but have been less impressive in the Euros and they enter the tournament seeking a first appearance in the quarter-finals since 2008.

They have never progressed beyond the last eight in this competition, a feat they have managed three times at World Cups, although the Croats will feel they have a chance to challenge for the top prize this year.

However, they have been drawn in an incredibly tough Group B alongside defending champions Italy, three-time winners Spain and an Albania side who finished ahead of Poland and the Czech Republic in qualifying.

Croatia Euro 2024 fixtures

Spain v Croatia, 15:00, Saturday 15th June, Olympiastadion
Croatia v Albania, 15:00, Wednesday 19th June, Volksparkstadion
Croatia v Italy, 21:00, Monday 24th June, Leipzig Stadium

Croatia Euro 2024 squad

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Fenerbahce), Nediljko Labrovic (Rijeka), Ivica Ivusic (Pafos).

Defenders: Josip Stanisic (Bayer Leverkusen), Marin Pongracic (Lecce), Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Martin Erlic (Sassuolo), Borna Sosa (Ajax), Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens), Josip Juranovic (Union Berlin), Josip Sutalo (Ajax).

Midfielders: Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Marcelo Brozovic (Al Nassr), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Luka Ivanusec (Feyenoord), Luka Sucic (Red Bull Salzburg), Martin Baturina (Dinamo Zagreb).

Forwards: Ivan Perisic (Hajduk Split), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Marko Pjaca (Rijeka), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Rijeka).

Croatia manager

Zlatko Dalic

Zlatko Dalic has been in charge of Croatia since 2017 and this will be his fourth major tournament.

Dalic has led his team to a World Cup final, losing out to France in 2018, and the semi-finals in 2022, where they were beaten by eventual winners Argentina.

As a player, Dalic’s most notable stint came at the now defunct Varteks, for whom he made over 100 league appearances, and he also had three spells with Hajduk Split.

Croatia captain

Luka Modric

Croatia captain Luka Modric is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of the modern era and has won a plethora of trophies at club level with Real Madrid, as well as the 2018 Ballon d'Or.

Modric is a six-time Champions League winner and has lifted three La Liga crowns with Los Blancos, while he is also a three-time champion of Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb.

The diminutive playmaker is now 38 and this may well be his last tournament with Croatia. Modric earned his first cap in 2006 and has featured 175 times for his country, scoring 25 goals.

Croatia key players

Mateo Kovacic

Modric brings the finesse to the Croatia midfield and Mateo Kovacic adds the tenacity. The 30-year-old is a box-to-box type of midfielder who is capable of making an impact at both ends of the pitch.

With Modric, Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic on the pitch, Croatia can be a match for any side in world football.

Josko Gvardiol

There are plenty of experienced heads in the Croatia defence but 22-year-old Josko Gvardiol could be the key man at the back.

Gvardiol joined Manchester City from RB Leipzig last summer and has settled in well with the Premier League champions.

Gvardiol was arguably Croatia’s standout performer at the World Cup in 2022, picking up the Man of the Match award in the third-place play-off, and he will be hoping to impress on the international stage once again in Germany.

Croatia one to watch

Marco Pasalic

RB Salzburg midfielder Luka Sucic deserves a mention but he may struggle for game time given Croatia’s strength in that area, so forward Marco Pasalic could prove to be the one to watch.

Pasalic will act as the understudy to Ivan Perisic but could be thrust into a bigger role as the veteran has struggled with injury issues this season.

Croatia All-time Euros record

Year	Performance
1996	Quarter-Finals
2000	Did Not Qualify
2004	Group Stage
2008	Quarter-Finals
2012	Group Stage
2016	Round of 16
2020	Round of 16

Croatia’s Euro 2024 prospects

Croatia usually go into tournaments rated as potential dark horses and that should be the case again at Euro 2024.

They have an incredibly strong and experienced midfield and some excellent defenders, but they do look a little lightweight in attack without a top class striker.

Getting out of a tough looking Group B is not a given for Dalic’s men, but if they are able to avoid an early elimination, they should be a match for any side in a one-off game.

Keeping their veterans fit could prove key and if they do, then Croatia may emerge as serious contenders for overall glory in Germany.

Croatia Euro 2024 odds

To Win Outright - 40/1
To Reach Final - 16/1
To Reach Semi-Final - 13/2
To Reach Quarter-Final - 9/4
Group Betting - 9/2
Group Qualification Yes - 3/10
Group Qualification No - 12/5

You can use our betting hubs to see the latest Euros betting odds, including Croatia to win the Euros and much more.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.