Dalić: "Club trophies confirm Croatia quality"

According to the regulations, Dalić had to apply a maximum of 35 names to FIFA, including the 23 passengers to Russia. The final World Cup squad has to be presented no later than 4 June, with only injured players permitted to be replaced. The replacement does not have to be included in the preliminary squad. 

"I am happy that many Croatia internationals had the opportunity to fight for club trophies, and I congratulate to everyone who won some silverware. We are proud to have a Champions league winner sixth time running, and I wish the best of luck to Luka, Mateo, and Dejan, as well as Šime in the Europa League final. This confirms the quality of Croatia's side, and allow us to feel optimistic on the eve of the World Cup", says Croatia head coach.

"The preliminary squad basically included the players we have counted on before, especially in the qualifying round, with a couple of new names such as Sosa and Letica. Other considered players, like Brekalo, Vlašić, Livaja, Benković, or Halilović, remain acknowledged. We believe in their talent, they are the future of Croatia national team. I would like to avoid any injury during the remainder of the club season, so I can have all my internationals fit. The players look forward to the upcoming challenge, we are aware that the entire Croatia will breathe with us. We must do everything to justify our supporters' love, trust, and expectations", he added.

Croatia internationals are scheduled to meet on 26 May in Zagreb, with two more friendlies on the calendar: on 3 June in Liverpool against Brazil and on 8 June in Osijek against Senegal. Departure to Russia is scheduled for 11 June.

Goalkeepers: Danijel Subašić (Monaco), Lovre Kalinić (Gent), Dominik Livaković (Dinamo), Karlo Letica (Hajduk)

Defenders: Vedran Ćorluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Domagoj Vida (Besiktas), Ivan Strinić (Sampdoria), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Šime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid), Josip Pivarić (Dynamo Kiev), Tin Jedvaj (Bayer Leverkusen), Matej Mitrović (Club Brugge), Borna Barišić (Osijek), Zoran Nižić (Hajduk), Duje Ćaleta-Car (Red Bull Salzburg), Borna Sosa (Dinamo)

Midfielders: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitić (Barcelona), Mateo Kovačić (Real Madrid), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Marcelo Brozović (Inter), Marko Rog (Napoli), Mario Pašalić (Spartak), Filip Bradarić (Rijeka)

Forwards: Mario Mandžukić (Juventus), Ivan Perišić (Inter), Nikola Kalinić (Milan), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Marko Pjaca (Schalke), Ante Rebić (Eintracht), Duje Čop (Standard Liege), Ivan Santini (Caen)

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