Croatia qualify for 2026 World Cup with win over Faroe Islands in Rijeka

by croatiaweek
November 14, 2025
in Sport

Croatia seal World Cup spot

Croatia have sealed their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 3–1 victory over the Faroe Islands at Stadion Rujevica on Friday evening. The result guarantees Zlatko Dalić’s side top spot in Group L with a match to spare.

Dalić opted for a tweak in shape, rolling out a 3-4-2-1 formation that featured three centre-backs: Joško Gvardiol on the left, Josip Stanišić on the right, and Luka Vušković making his first senior start in the middle.

Despite Croatia’s early control, the visitors struck first. The Faroe Islands, sitting deep in a compact 5-4-1 and rarely venturing out of their own half, found a breakthrough in the 16th minute.

Geza Dávid Turi picked up the ball in midfield, drove unchallenged towards the edge of the box, and hit a low effort that took a deflection off Vušković before sneaking in at the near post.

Croatia responded swiftly. In the 23rd minute, Gvardiol levelled matters after a fortunate rebound fell his way inside the area. The Manchester City defender shifted the ball onto his left foot and drilled a powerful effort across goal into the bottom-right corner.

HT | 🇭🇷 1:1 🇫🇴

The teams take a break. 45 minutes to go! ⏸️ #CROFRO #WCQ | #Family | #Vatreni❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/J85bNPB2j7
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) November 14, 2025

The hosts continued to press after the break and eventually turned the match on its head. In the 57th minute, Stanišić picked out Petar Musa, who controlled with his thigh before steering a bouncing effort past the keeper at the near post to make it 2–1.

Croatia wrapped things up in the 70th minute when Ivan Perišić whipped in a teasing cross from the left and Nikola Vlašić arrived to side-foot home for 3–1, sealing a comfortable comeback win.

With 19 points from their qualifying campaign so far, six clear of second-placed Czechia, Croatia are now assured of finishing top of Group L.