Nenad Gračan announces squad for 2027 World Cup Qualifiers

In the upcoming cycle, Croatia will play two matches – an away fixture against Bulgaria on 3 March and a home match against Kosovo in Karlovac on 7 March. The team will gather on 26 February in Zagreb, where preparations for the opening qualification matches will begin.

Croatia will compete in League C, Group C2, alongside Kosovo, Bulgaria and Gibraltar. If Croatia finishes first in the group or ranks among the two best runners-up in League C, it will advance to the play-offs for a place at the World Cup, where it would face one of the teams finishing second or third in League A.

“We are entering a new cycle – we have two matches against Bulgaria and Kosovo. These are opponents against whom we can perform well.

As for the squad list, there have been certain changes and we have significantly rejuvenated the team. The most important thing is to build on the friendly matches we played in Malta, as well as against Montenegro. It is also important that the younger players gain experience alongside the more senior ones, who are here for what lies ahead, so that we can establish quality continuity.

Of course, our goal is to win,” said head coach Gračan.

 

 

 

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Squad List

Goalkeepers: Doris Bačić (Lazio), Ana Ristovski (Hajduk), Carlotta Sesjak (Recklinghausen)

Defenders: Ana Jelenčić (Servette Geneva), Kristina Nevrkla (Lio Osijek), Tea Vračević (SKN St. Pölten), Lucia Orkić (RB Salzburg), Janja Čanjevac (Hajduk), Maria Kunštek (Agram), Nina Varga (Međimurje)

Midfielders: Izabela Lojna (Lio Osijek), Ella Ljuština (Grasshopper Zurich), Maja Joščak (Agram), Ivana Slipčević (SC Sand), Petra Pezelj (SFK 2000 Sarajevo), Bianca Rose Galić (Sydney FC), Barbara Živković (Hajduk), Helena Spajić (Dinamo), Lucija Vunić (Dinamo)

Forwards: Ivana Rudelić (Basel), Karla Kurkutović (GKS Górnik Łęczna), Petra Mikulica (SCR Altach), Paula Vidović (Ingolstadt), Erika Vrban Zschuppe (Tampa Bay Sun)

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