Niko Kovač announces World Cup preliminary squad

Croatia was drawn in Group A, with hosts Brazil, Cameroon and Mexico, and head coach Niko Kovač has decided on the players to compete for the final World Cup squad.

"We have spent half a year following all our players, watched them live weekend after weekend, and analyzing their form. Then we have reached our decision", explained Kovač.

Croatia head coach Niko Kovač announces 30-man World Cup squad. #BeProud pic.twitter.com/txMxjBGSBg

— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) May 14, 2014

"Of course I feel sorry for everyone who hasn't made it, but this is our job. However, Croatia will play football after the World Cup as well, and those that are not on the list are not written off. We have mixed experienced players with younger ones, we are trying to build a future", he continued.

Fatigue must not be an issue, says Kovač, who is aware that the friendly match against Mali - after the preparation phase in Austria - will have specific requirements.

"Croatia has never been in a better situation regarding the players that are regular in their clubs. Other teams will be in the same situation considering the fatigue, and we will see where we are in Bad Tatzmannsdorf".

The players will come to Croatia between May 20th and May 22nd, and then open the World Cup against Brazil on June 12th in Sao Paulo.

"We are lucky to be there and we feel no pressure. We would like to achieve something, of course. We are glad that this is finally beginning, we are counting the days. Every match is important, but the first one is even more so. Brazil is the favourite to win the World Cup and we have to find the best solution to stop them. We will be prepared", concluded the Croatian head coach.

Niko Kovač: "We are happy to participate at the World Cup! We are going to Brazil to play the best we can!"

— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) May 14, 2014

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov), Danijel Subašić (Monaco), Oliver Zelenika (Lokomotiva Zagreb).

Defenders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar), Dejan Lovren (Southampton), Vedran Ćorluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Gordon Schildenfeld (Panathinaikos), Danijel Pranjić (Panathinaikos), Ivan Strinić (Dnipro), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev), Šime Vrsaljko (Genoa), Igor Bubnjić (Udinese).

Midfielders: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitić (Sevilla), Niko Kranjčar (QPR), Ognjen Vukojević (Dynamo Kiev), Ivan Perišić (Wolfsburg), Mateo Kovačić (Internazionale), Milan Badelj (HSV), Ivo Iličević (HSV), Marcelo Brozović (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivan Močinić (Rijeka), Mario Pašalić (Hajduk Split), Sammir (Getafe).

Strikers: Mario Mandžukić (Bayern Munich), Ivica Olić (Wolfsburg), Eduardo Alves da Silva (Shakhtar), Nikica Jelavić (Hull City), Ante Rebić (Fiorentina), Duje Čop (Dinamo Zagreb).

The final list of 23 players will be announced after the friendly match with Mali in Osijek on May 31st.

The press conference will be available at the Croatian Football Federation official Youtube channel.

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