Croatia World Cup 2026 Odds: Latest Betting Prices and Predictions

You can simply never underestimate Croatia, who have finished runners-up and third in the last two editions of the World Cup. Led by long-serving manager Zlatko Dalic and the indefatigable former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric, Croatia will once again head into a World Cup bidding to defy expectations.

Croatia 2026 World Cup Odds

Croatia have a strong record World Cup record, having finished runners-up and third on two occasions in their six appearances since they made their debut in 1998. However, the Balkan nation can be backed out at 100/1 to win the World Cup for the first time in their history. They have a tough group, including one of the tournament favourites, England, but if any country knows what it takes to make a mockery of the odds, it’s a Zlatko Dalic side.

Croatia World Cup Fixtures

Check out the World Cup fixtures for Croatia at the 2026 World Cup:

Croatia Top Goalscorer Odds

At the 2026 World Cup, Croatia don’t have any major contenders in the top goalscorer betting, which is led by France’s Kylian Mbappe and England’s Harry Kane.

In their own team top goalscorer odds, frontman Andrej Kramaric narrowly leads the betting. Fellow veterans Ivan Perisic and the evergreen Luka Modric are just behind.

Croatia Stage of Elimination Odds

Croatia’s full stage of elimination odds have yet to be released by bookmakers. We do currently know that they are 100/1 outsiders to win the tournament, while they have been priced at 4/1 to win Group I, which contains England, Ghana, and Panama. They are as short as 1/6 to qualify from the group, 6/1 to come bottom, and 11/10 in the straight forecast market to progress 2nd behind England.

Croatia 2026 World Cup Squad

Croatia have a neat blend of youth and experience heading into the 2026 World Cup. Here’s the list of players representing Croatia at the tournament.

Croatia 2026 World Cup Predicted XI

Croatia are expected to line up in either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation. Here’s a look at how their lineup could shape up at the World Cup:

GK: Livakovic

RB: Stanisic

CB: Sutalo

CB: Gvardiol

LB: Caleta-Car

DM: Kovacic

MF: Modric

MF: Sucic

LW: Perisic

FW: Kramaric

RW: Pasalic

Croatia World Cup History

History tells us that Croatia either do extremely well or fall at the first hurdle. In half of their six appearances, they have finished inside the top-3, while in the other three editions, they have exited in the group stages.

Croatia’s best World Cup showing came eight years ago in Russia 2018 when they ventured all the way through to the final,. That day, France beat them 4-2.

Four years later they reached the semi-finals and ultimately finished third, matching their finish on their debut back in 1998.

How did Croatia do at the last World Cup?

Croatia finished third at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. They placed second in their group behind Morocco, collecting five points from three matches, before edging past Japan on penalties in the last 16.

Croatia then produced another dramatic shootout victory after scoring a late extra-time equaliser against Brazil in the quarter-finals. Their run was finally ended in the semi-finals by eventual champions Argentina, but they went on to secure third place with a 2-1 victory over Morocco.

World Cup 2026 Croatia Prediction

Croatia came through qualifying in impressive fashion, collecting 22 points from a possible 24 to top Group L ahead of the Czech Republic. They head into their seventh World Cup once again looking to upset the odds and push deep into the tournament. Given that Croatia finished runners-up in 2018 and third in 2022, they should not be underestimated.

Croatia have been drawn into a challenging Group L alongside England, Ghana and Panama, with England awaiting in their opening fixture. Croatia are second favourites to win the group and, if they finish runners-up as the odds suggest, would face the runner-up of Group K, which contains Portugal and Colombia, in the last 32. 

Progressing from there could set up a last-16 clash with World Cup favourites Spain, which may prove to be the point at which their run comes to an end.

World Cup 2026 Croatia FAQs 

Have Croatia ever won the World Cup?

Croatia have never won the World Cup, but they reached the final in 2018 and have twice finished third.

How did Croatia qualify for the 2026 World Cup?

Croatia qualified for the World Cup in style, going unbeaten with seven wins and a draw.

Which players will play for Croatia at the 2026 World Cup?

Luka Modric captains Croatia in a squad featuring Man City’s Josko Gvardiol, veteran Ivan Perisic, and Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric.