Dalić confirms plan Croatia to play Brazil in America

by croatiaweek
November 10, 2025
in Sport

Zlatko Dalić

The Croatian national football team have gathered in Zagreb before heading to Rijeka to prepare for their final two matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, against the Faroe Islands on 14 November in Rijeka and Montenegro on 17 November in Podgorica, HNS said.

Head coach Zlatko Dalić addressed the media on the first day of camp, outlining the team’s situation and plans ahead of these key fixtures.

“More Question Marks Than Problems”

Dalić admitted there are still several uncertainties in the squad.

“We have more question marks than problems,” he said. “Players like Baturina, Majer, Matanović, Sučić and Ivanović need to earn more minutes at their clubs. Livaković’s situation is a bit different, but he too needs to resolve things by March. We’ll really miss Mateo Kovačić, he’s very important for us.”

The coach also suggested that Croatia may experiment in defence, an area he praised as the team’s strongest asset.

“We’ve only conceded one goal, against the Czechs from a corner. The defensive phase is excellent, and I’m very satisfied with it. We’ll try some new things, and Vušković will get a chance on Friday. I’d like our defensive stability to continue.”

Vušković Set for Senior Debut

Young defender Luka Vušković, a standout in the U-21 side, will make his senior debut against the Faroe Islands.

“Vušković is a key player for the U-21s. He’ll play for us against the Faroe Islands and might then return to the U-21s for their match against Hungary. We’ll coordinate it in the best possible way, he deserves this call-up,” Dalić said.

Kovačić Recovery and Possible Call-Ups

Dalić also spoke about Mateo Kovačić’s recovery and possible additional squad call-ups.

“We’ll assess the situation today and see if more call-ups are needed. I hope Kovačić won’t miss the World Cup. He’s been struggling, especially mentally, but he’s a fighter, and we’ll support him as always. I believe he’ll be ready by March.”

Respect for the Faroe Islands

Reflecting on their earlier encounter, Dalić warned against underestimating the Faroe Islands.

“We didn’t expect them to be this good, we thought they’d be outsiders, but they proved us wrong. The conditions there were tough, and taking three points wasn’t easy. They’re disciplined and deserve respect. We must confirm our World Cup place with a strong performance.”

March Friendlies: Brazil and Colombia in the Plans

Looking ahead, Dalić confirmed that Croatia are planning high-profile friendly matches in March.

“The plan is to play Brazil and Colombia, likely in Orlando and New York. If we draw Brazil in the group stage, we’ll change that. We don’t want easy matches that give us a false sense of security, these games will show us where we stand before the World Cup.”

He also expressed his frustration with recent changes to tournament regulations:

“It’s strange to change rules just 20 days before the draw. I’d better stay quiet about that,” he added.

Praise for the U-17s and New Prospects

Dalić took time to congratulate Croatia’s U-17 team on their success.

“That’s the future of Croatian football. Congratulations to coach Budimir and the boys — they’re full of talent and already show the spirit of the senior team.”

📚 Happiness (noun): the state of being happy, the feeling when #Croatia squad meets once again. 🫂 #Family #WCQ #Vatreni❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/dgRHk6q5G2
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) November 10, 2025