Croatia face Ghana at Philadelphia Stadium on Saturday evening, knowing only a win secures their place in the World Cup round of 32.
Three points from the 1–0 win over Panama leave Zlatko Dalic’s side one result away from safety — but it must be a winning one. A draw keeps them third, dependent on third-place comparisons across all twelve groups. Ghana, a point ahead in second, need only avoid defeat. The pressure falls squarely on Croatia.
Croatia team news
Dalic has no injury concerns, and a full squad is available. The central selection question heading into this fixture is whether Budimir starts from the beginning. The Osasuna striker came off the bench at half-time against Panama in place of Petar Musa and scored the decisive goal in the 54th minute.
His sharpness and movement in that cameo make a compelling case for a starting berth against a well-organised Ghana defence that will be even harder to break down than Panama were.
Josko Gvardiol was also substituted at the interval against Panama, but is nailed on to retain his place at left back, his physicality essential for containing the pace of Inaki Williams on Ghana’s right flank. The central defensive partnership of Marin Pongracic and Josip Sutalo continues. Josip Stanisic holds the right back position.
In midfield, Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic form the double pivot — Modric, now 40 years old and making his 201st appearance for Croatia, brings the experience and distribution that no other player in the squad can replicate.
Martin Baturina operates in the number ten role, having been fouled nine times in two World Cup matches and consistently finding pockets of space in tight areas. Mario Pasalic and Ivan Perisic provide the wide support, with Dominik Livakovic in goal.
Croatia predicted lineup
Croatia possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Livakovic; Stanisic, Pongracic, Sutalo, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Modric; Pasalic, Baturina, Perisic; Budimir
When will the match kick off?
The FIFA World Cup group match kicks off at 22:00 BST on Saturday, 27 June 2026.
How to watch Croatia vs Ghana?
The match will be broadcast live on ITV4 and ITVX in the UK.
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