Modrić's 201st cap: Croatia-Ghana XIs revealed

Croatia face Ghana in the final round of Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and both lineups have been confirmed. With Croatia needing a win to secure a last-32 spot, Ghana would all but qualify even with a draw.

Zlatko Dalić's selections contain a surprise. Manchester City's Joško Gvardiol is left out of the XI and named among the substitutes; Ivan Perišić takes over at left back. Nikola Vlašić and Petar Sučić start in the attacking line, with Ante Budimir leading the line. Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić make up the midfield pivot; Modrić also captains the side on his 201st appearance for his country. Andrej Kramarić and Petar Musa are among those starting on the bench.

For Ghana, the biggest surprise came in attack. Iñaki Williams, expected to start, begins on the bench, with Kamaldeen Sulemana taking his place on the wing. Carlos Queiroz brought Elisha Owusu into midfield and Derrick Luckassen into defense. Jerome Opoku and Caleb Yirenkyi were the players dropped to the bench. Benjamin Asare keeps his place in goal, with Jordan Ayew wearing the captain's armband. Thomas Partey will provide the balance at the base of midfield.

The two nations meet in a competitive fixture for the first time in their history. Croatia will look to control the game through the midfield of Modrić and Kovačić, while Ghana aim to take the result they want from this tough tie with the disciplined defense that kept two straight clean sheets. How Dalić's decision to bench Gvardiol and Queiroz's call to bench Williams affect the game will be among the key talking points in Philadelphia.

Predicted lineups:
Croatia (4-2-3-1): Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Pongračić, Perišić; Modrić, Kovačić; Sučić, Baturina, Vlašić; Budimir.
Ghana (4-3-3): Asare; Senaya, Adjetey, Luckassen, Mensah; Partey, Owusu, Sibo; Sulemana, Ayew, Semenyo.

Image: Yahoo Sports