ZAGREB: Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, and Mario Mandžukić headlined a preliminary 32-man World Cup squad named by Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalić on Monday.
Croatia are appearing at the World Cup for the fifth time and have been drawn alongside two-time former champions Argentina, Nigeria, and Iceland in a tricky Group D.
“I hope everyone stays healthy… we will do everything to live up to the expectations of our supporters,” Dalic said.
There are several players still involved in competition, with Real Madrid duo Modrić and Mateo Kovačić, as well as Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren, all set to take part in the Champions League final on May 26 amongst them.
Croatia face Brazil in a pre-tournament friendly on June 3 at Anfield and take on Senegal five days later in Osijek before flying out to Russia.
World Cup squads must be reduced to 23 players by June 4.