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Bilić names first Croatia squad as Mišić and Beljo earn call-ups

Slaven Bilić croatia coach euro 2028

Slaven Bilić

Slaven Bilić has announced his first Croatia squad since returning as head coach, with Dinamo Zagreb’s Josip Mišić and Dion Drena Beljo included for a demanding Nations League schedule.

Bilić has selected 26 players for his first international gathering since taking charge of Croatia again, with the squad set for a particularly busy period featuring four matches in just 12 days.

Among the notable selections are Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Josip Mišić, who has been called up to the senior national team, and Dinamo forward Dion Drena Beljo, who has also been included in the squad.

The list also confirms that captain Luka Modrić will continue his international career. Modrić recently informed the Croatian Football Federation that he remains available for the national team.

Bilić said the unusually congested schedule was one reason behind selecting a larger group of players.

“This is a specific situation, four matches in 12 days. We need a few more players, and this is also my first gathering, so I want to see them all,” Bilić said.

He explained that he had opted for a squad of 23 players plus three additional options.

Croatia squad

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livaković, Dominik Kotarski, Ivor Pandur

Defenders: Joško Gvardiol, Josip Šutalo, Luka Vušković, Josip Stanišić, Martin Erlić, Ivan Smolčić, Josip Juranović

Midfielders: Luka Modrić, Martin Baturina, Mateo Kovačić, Petar Sučić, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić, Josip Mišić, Luka Sučić

Forwards: Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, Petar Musa, Ivan Perišić, Dion Drena Beljo, Igor Matanović, Franjo Ivanović

Standby: Luka Stojković, Karlo Letica, Marin Pongračić, Kristijan Jakić, Lovro Majer, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk

Pongračić, Jakić, Moro and Fruk were all in the 2026 World Cup squad but now miss out and are only on standby, whilst Duje Ćaleta-Car misses out completely. Ivanović and Smolčić were not part of the squad in America. 

Four matches in 12 days

Croatia face a demanding run of Nations League fixtures, beginning away against the Czech Republic on 26 September.

Just three days later, on 29 September, Bilić’s side will travel to face Spain.

Croatia will then return home, with England visiting Rijeka on 3 October, before Spain provide the opposition again at Poljud in Split on 6 October.

Croatia are in Group A3 alongside Spain, England and the Czech Republic.

Josip Mišić was capped twice already back in 2017 (Photo: Werner100359/CC BY-SA 4.0)

Modrić to continue

Bilić also addressed Modrić’s decision to remain with Croatia, following discussions between the two.

The coach said the veteran midfielder remains highly motivated to represent his country and confirmed that he will not be expected to play every minute of the four matches.

“He will not play all four matches,” Bilić said, explaining that Modrić’s playing time would be managed according to a rhythm suitable for both the player and the team.

Bilić also spoke about Dominik Livaković, who remains part of the squad despite limited playing opportunities at club level.

The coach said Livaković had contacted him to discuss the situation and stressed that the goalkeeper had established significant credit with the national team through his performances in previous years.

At the same time, Bilić said regular playing time at club level would be beneficial for the goalkeeper.

Asked whether younger players would receive more opportunities than more experienced members of the squad, Bilić said selection would continue to be based primarily on sporting merit.

“In the national team, the best players play, and that is the only criterion,” he said.

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