Croatia look for new coach after years of success: Dalic leaves
The Croatian Football Federation announced this Wednesday the departure of Zlatko Dalic as national coach after the 2026 World Cup. The 59-year-old coach ends a historic cycle that began in 2017, a period in which he elevated Croatia to a level of constant protagonism in major international competitions and set the national record for games on the bench, with 111 caps as a coach.Dalic took over the team after a period of frustration at the World Cups: in 2002 and 2006 the Croatians reached the group stage, failed to qualify in 2010 and, in 2014, fell again in the first round. The turning point came in 2018. In Russia, Croatia surprised the world by reaching the final, in a memorable trajectory that included victories over teams such as Argentina and England. In the decisive game, they would end up being beaten by France, but the campaign consolidated the generation led by Luka Modric at the top of world football.
Four years later, in Qatar, the team returned to compete at the highest level and secured the bronze medal, defeating Morocco in the third-place match. In between, the Croatians did not shine in the European Championships, but they once again showed solidity in the Nations League: in 2023, they beat the Netherlands and reached the final, lost to Spain.
At the 2026 World Cup, held in the United States, Mexico and Canada and already in an extended format, Croatia advanced in the group stage with victories over Panama and Ghana. However, they fell short in the second round, against Portugal. In that campaign, Dalic counted Ivan Perisic and Josip Sutalo, both playing in the Eredivisie, among his options.
In the official note, the federation highlighted the coach's legacy and the respect he gained in the locker room and among opponents, highlighting the unique journey that returned the team to the big stage. "A discreet arrival. An unforgettable journey. A proud farewell", noted the organization, praising the consistency of the results obtained over almost a decade.
With Dalic's departure, Croatia is now entering a new phase, beginning the search for a successor capable of continuing the work and empowering a generation that has accustomed the country to contesting decisions. After years of success and notoriety, the bar is set high for the next coach, who will inherit a competitive team recognized for its resilience in the final stages.
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