As the World Cup 2026 approaches, Croatia’s head coach, Zlatko Dalic, emphasized the critical nature of an opening match, stating that a loss in such a contest “can destroy everything” for a team in a major tournament. His perspective is informed by past experiences, notably Croatia’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Spain in Euro 2024, which led to an early exit from the group stage.
The Croatian team had a strong start in the 2018 World Cup, defeating Nigeria, while in 2022, a draw against Morocco set both teams on their way to the semifinals. However, the recent 4-2 loss to England raises concerns about the impact of another opening defeat.
If Luka Modrić takes the field today, he will achieve the milestone of 200 international caps, joining an elite group. Currently, only three other players have accomplished this feat, while 30 women have also reached the 200-match mark.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal (230)* 2. Bader Al-Mutawa, Kuwait (202) 3. Lionel Messi, Argentina (201)* 4. Luka Modrić, Croatia (199)* 5. Soh Chin Ann, Malaysia (195)
* Asterisk denotes active players
Although Panama and Croatia have never competed against each other in a formal match, both national teams have significantly elevated their profiles since the 2018 World Cup. For Panama, their first appearance in a World Cup came after surpassing the United States in Concacaf qualifying, culminating in a debut that was marked by three losses and a -9 goal difference. Croatia, conversely, enjoyed a remarkable journey to the World Cup final, ultimately finishing as runners-up.
Both teams remain competitive within their respective confederations. Panama continues to challenge established teams like the US and Mexico, joining Canada and Costa Rica as formidable contenders. Croatia faced difficulties at Euro 2020 but recovered to reach the semifinal in 2022, ultimately securing third place.
This summer, both teams feature a mix of experienced players and emerging talent. Panama’s squad includes a 24-year-old as their youngest member, while Croatian veterans Modrić, Ivan Perišić, and Andrej Kramarić have opted to extend their careers by participating in another tournament.
Panama plays with a fearless attitude, no longer considered newcomers to the tournament scene. They possess the skill and physicality to challenge any opponent, but conceding a late goal against Ghana has increased the pressure on them to secure advancement from a tough group that includes two UEFA qualifiers. Croatia, having faced a disappointing start, is eager to bounce back from their opening defeat.
As the evening approaches, Toronto enjoys a comfortable 24ºC (75ºF), setting the stage for an important Group L showdown.
Jeff will join shortly to provide updates. In the meantime, here’s a brief overview of what to know about Panama and Croatia ahead of their Group L encounter in Toronto.
Panama
La Marea Roja arrives with enthusiasm. Following their groundbreaking World Cup debut in Russia 2018, they are determined to make a mark this time around and aim to progress beyond the group stage. With Michael Murillo as a defensive leader, midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla injecting creativity, and captain Aníbal Godoy embodying the team’s spirit, Panama is poised to write a new chapter.
The team has shown improvements in their ball possession and comes into North America brimming with confidence after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2024 Copa América and the final of the 2023 Gold Cup.
Croatia
Croatia ranks among the oldest teams in this World Cup, with many starters in their 30s, including captain Luka Modrić at 40. This brings a wealth of experience and a strong winning mentality but also raises concerns about their capacity to compete.
The seasoned players, including Modrić, Kovacic (32), Ivan Perišić (37), and Andrej Kramarić (turning 35), are under scrutiny to see if they can still perform at a high level. Meanwhile, questions linger about whether the younger, less experienced players are ready to step up. Croatia has traditionally exceeded expectations, and their recent successes have set a high standard, but they seem motivated to deliver one final impressive performance.
- World Cup 2026
- World Cup
- Panama
- Croatia
