Zlatko Dalic has confirmed Croatia's final 23 for Russia, including two Real Madrid midfielders and a Barcelona ace.
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is the standout star in Croatia's richly-talented final 23 that will attempt to go deep at the World Cup.
Club Brugge defender Matej Mitrovic, on loan from Besiktas, was the only player culled on Monday as head coach Zlatko Dalic settled on the squad that will look to reach the knockout rounds for the first time since their third-place finish in 1998.
Those hopes will be largely pinned on the likes of Modric, Madrid team-mate Mateo Kovacic, Barcelona playmaker Ivan Rakitic and gifted Inter attacker Ivan Perisic.
Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren and Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic also figure in an experienced group which includes just three players with fewer than 10 caps.
Though beaten 2-0 by Brazil in a friendly at Anfield on Sunday, Croatia's depth of talent will have them confident of atoning for a disappointing exit in the group stage in 2014.
Their first Group D fixture in Russia is against Nigeria on June 16 before meetings with Argentina on June 21 and Iceland five days later.
Croatia's final 23-man World Cup squad in full:
Lovre Kalinic (Dinamo Zagreb), Dominik Livakovic (Gent), Danijel Subasic (Monaco); Duje Caleta-Car (Red Bull Salzburg); Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Tin Jedvaj (Bayer Leverkusen), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Josip Pivaric (Dynamo Kyiv), Ivan Strinic (AC Milan), Domagoj Vida (Besiktas), Sime Vrsajlko (Atletico Madrid); Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Filip Bradaric (Rijeka), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter), Mateo Kovacic (Real Madrid), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona); Nikola Kalinic (Milan), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Mario Mandzukic (Juventus), Ivan Perisic (Inter), Marko Pjaca (Juventus), Ante Rebic (Eintracht Frankfurt).
Luka_Modric10
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Good luck Croatia I hope you go far this world cup
_mufc_
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This team is one of the best Croatia World Cup teams ever. I truly believe they can go all the way to the semifinals. [Croatia]
Antireal
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its all about the ic..
Antireal
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this team is all gonna be rivals the ic
frank_leo
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Good luck Croatia
kelvinkings
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I most say this... this squad is capable of given Argentina a tough time.
Ngong Alain
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is it an "ic" competition in Croatia?...kovacic, modric, manzukiv, rakitic
fecbekops
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croats always play smart
Shina-Ayo
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Modric is just a club player! No international trophy! Typing like CR7 fans...
Barcelona-Arsenal
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good luck to them
Elsa98
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Croatia need some improvement..
TalhaArshad
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they have a good squad they can compete with big teams in World Cup
dossier
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If I was them I’d go with the same 4-1-2-1-2 that Madrid played in the UCL final. Brozovic, Rakitic, Modric, and Kovacic in that flexible and fluid focused midfield would be really tough to beat. Solid back line and good choice of forwards as well. No holes in this entire team really.
Oceania
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Eventhough the midfield looks great on paper, arent all these players pretty similiar in their playstyle?
kazoo
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Let’s go Hrvatska!! The first game against Nigeria is gonna be crucial
Hymanhugo
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What’s the starting midfield then? Modrić Rakitić Badelj?
getaway
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Hope mandzukic doesnt play should be a sub
Eddrew
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Does Croatia have the second strongest midfield in the world, besides Spain?
intolerant
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Ajmo Vatreni! Let's go win this thing!
Weigens
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surprised Pjaca got called at all considering he played very little
UUCall
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Played very well yesterday. Nice squad
Primoroy
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I actually think that Croatia has a very good squad for a 3-5-2 formation of sorts. Vida - Lovren -Corluka in the back with Vrsaljko and Perisic as wingbacks.
rucksack
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Really good squad. Very capable of going far in the world cup.
Biainkobe
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That's one great midfield you got there Croatia
basicallye
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Solid squad. Don't see any notable snubs here.
EmrysMani
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bonne chance LM10!!!