Croatia football team heads to Toronto for World Cup group match against Panama

The Croatian national football team travelled to Toronto by charter from Washington, arriving the day before their second group‑stage match of the 2026 World Cup. The squad will train at Centennial Park and will play Panama at BMO Field on Wednesday night (1 a.m. local Croatian time). Coach Zlatko Dalić announced a tactical shift to a 4‑2‑3‑1 formation, leaving centre‑back Luka Vušković out of the starting eleven. Duje Ćaleta‑Car is expected to replace him in defence, while Petar Sučić will partner Luka Modrić in midfield and Mateo Kovačić is slated to be introduced around the 60‑minute mark. Forward Marco Pašić, along with Ante Budimir, completes the attacking line‑up.

Fan celebrations have been organised both in Zagreb and Toronto. Zagreb’s “Vatrene” zone on Cvjetni Square will stay open until 3 a.m. on the night of the match, featuring live music and merchandise. In Toronto, the Canada‑Croatia Chamber opened a “Croatia House” near the stadium, hosting a pre‑match party for thousands of Croatian expatriates and supporters.

Croatian singer Mladen Grdović also travelled to Toronto to cheer the team, joining a large diaspora crowd that expects to be the “twelfth player.” Dalić emphasized the need for a stronger defensive performance than against England and urged the squad to approach Panama as favourites, counting on robust support from fans abroad.