Former Croatia player Davor Suker believes Croatia is “no longer an underdog story”, following the country’s recent achievement at the grandest stage of football.
Croatia has been grouped in Group L alongside England, Panama, and Ghana ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer.
Speaking to FIFA, Suker noted that reaching the semi-finals again in the previous World Cup edition has raised the country’s place in the hierarchy of world football.
“Reaching the semi-finals again in Qatar felt like confirmation Croatia is no longer an underdog story,” said Suker. “It’s a football nation with standards.”
The iconic striker who fired Croatia to third place at the 1998 World Cup in France says Croatia should be regarded as competitors rather than participants ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America.
“When you finish as runners-up and then in third place at back-to-back World Cups, you’re no longer just participants, but you compete for the trophy. Croatia won’t fear anyone,” Suker warned.
Croatia will kick off their World Cup campaign against England on June 17 before facing Panama on June 24 and concluding their group fixture against Ghana on June 27.
