Luka Vuskovic named in Croatia’s World Cup squad

Luka Vuskovic has been named by Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic in the 26-man provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. The list, published by the Croatian Football Federation on Monday (18th May), also includes seven further players on standby. Croatia will face England, Panama and Ghana in Group L, with the tournament running from 11th June to 19th July.

Vuskovic has enjoyed an outstanding season in the Bundesliga, recording the league’s best challenge success rate (69.1%) and scoring more goals than any other centre-back (6). He made his senior Croatia debut almost exactly a year ago, on 9th June 2025 in a 5-1 win over Czechia, and has won four caps in total. In his third senior international, the defender became his country’s second-youngest goalscorer at the age of 19 years, one month and three days, behind only Luka Ivanusec (18 years, 1 month and 19 days). That moved Croatia legend Ivan Rakitic (19 years, 6 months and 2 days) down to third place. Now, a first World Cup is the next major milestone in what is still a young and hugely promising career.

Vuskovic is the youngest player in the World Cup squad, which also features 40-year-old Croatia legend Luka Modric (AC Milan) and Bundesliga players Josip Stanisic (FC Bayern), Kristijan Jakic (FC Augsburg), Andrej Kramaric (TSG Hoffenheim) and Igor Matanovic (SC Freiburg).

Congratulations on your call-up, Luka, and good luck!