Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić previews World Cup 2026

Zlatko Dalić said the opening match of the 2026 World Cup will set the tone for the whole tournament, noting that England will be one of the toughest opponents. He reflected on Croatia’s recent World Cup runs – a semi‑final appearance in Qatar 2022 and a final in Russia 2018 – and warned against letting euphoria turn into complacency.

In a lengthy interview, Dalić described the physical and mental pressure on the squad, recalling the stress of past knockout games and the need for patience, smart tactics and a step‑by‑step approach in the group stage. He also mentioned Bosnia and Herzegovina’s qualification for the tournament and urged his team to stay focused on securing a place in the knockout rounds.