Ghana’s 2026 World Cup opponents Croatia name squad for Brazil and Columbia friendlies

Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalić has named a formidable 26-man squad for this month’s high-stakes “Road to 26” friendly series in Orlando, Florida.

The Vatreni are set to test their mettle against South American giants Colombia and Brazil on March 26 and 31, respectively.

These matches serve as a critical final audition for the 2026 World Cup, but for fans in Accra and across the globe, the announcement carries a deeper resonance: it is the first official glimpse into the elite machine Ghana’s Black Stars must dismantle this June.

With the two nations drawn together in Group L, these friendlies represent a vital reconnaissance mission for Otto Addo’s technical team, who will be monitoring every tactical nuance Dalić implements at Camping World Stadium.

The squad list confirms that the legendary Luka Modrić will lead a core veteran group including Ivan Perišić and Andrej Kramarić, though they are currently without the defensive steel of Joško Gvardiol and the midfield engine of Mateo Kovačić due to injury.

As Croatia sharpens its claws against Brazil’s flair and Colombia’s physicality, the Black Stars will be taking notes, knowing that their June 27 showdown in Philadelphia could ultimately decide which of these two footballing powerhouses advances to the knockout rounds.