2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up are to face two former world champions this November. On 15 November, Croatia hosts Spain in Zagreb, and three days later visits Wembley to play England - this year's opponent in the semifinals stage in Russia.
To top the group and reach UEFA Nations League Final Four, Croatia has to win both matches.
🇭🇷#Croatia squad for #NationsLeague encounters with 🇪🇸@SeFutbol (15/11, Zagreb) and 🏴@England (18/11, London)! 🔥#BeProud #Vatreni pic.twitter.com/OzilYD7lwL
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) 2. studenoga 2018.
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalić has selected 25 players to meet on 12 November in Zagreb. Josip Brekalo of Wolfsburg, a key player for Croatia U-21, is called up for the first time, while Nikola Vlašić and Duje Ćaleta-Car have already made senior international debuts.
"We are in for great, yet difficult matches, but Croatia can respond to such challenge. First, we are focused on Spain, and we want to win in front of our home crowd to remain in contention for the Final Four. I am convinced that the fans will come to support us, since it will be our first competitive home tie - not behind closed doors - following the World Cup, and the opponent could not be any better or more attractive", said Dalić.
"Brekalo, Vlašić, and Ćaleta-Car have greatly contributed to U-21 national team, and now is the time to have them with us. Their energy and talent can provide an extra spark to the senior team. I am happy that there are no major injury issues, and I hope nothing will change in the upcoming days. The players are reaching their top level and I believe in better performances, as an introduction for the European qualifiers - with EURO 2020 remaining our clear objective", he added.
Croatia squad list for Spain and England:
Goalkeepers: Lovre Kalinić, Dominik Livaković, Karlo Letica
Defenders: Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Šime Vrsaljko, Josip Pivarić, Tin Jedvaj, Matej Mitrović, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Antonio Milić
Midfielders: Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, Mateo Kovačić, Milan Badelj, Marcelo Brozović, Marko Rog, Mario Pašalić, Filip Bradarić
Forwards: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Rebić, Marko Pjaca, Nikola Vlašić, Josip Brekalo
