Croatia Squad List: Former Beijing Guoan Coach Bilic Set for First Match, Modric Included

Xinhua News Agency, Zagreb, September 7 (Reporter Ma Zhen): Croatia national football team head coach Bilic announced the list of players for the UEFA Nations League on the 7th, with veteran player Luka Modric included.

On July 2, in the round of 32 knockout match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in Toronto, Canada, Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 and advanced to the round of 16

At the press conference announcing the squad, Bilic first spoke about Modric, who is set to turn 41 this week. The Croatian Football Federation's official website quoted him as saying: "I don't need to convince him. He wants to play for his country and for the national team, and this is a win-win situation for both sides."

A former FIFA World Player of the Year and World Cup Golden Ball winner, Modric has played in five World Cups and has made 202 appearances for the national team, fewer only than Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (233 appearances) and Argentina's Lionel Messi (207 appearances).

In this season's UEFA Nations League, Croatia are grouped with the Czech Republic, Spain and England. Their opening match will be an away game against the Czech Republic, and it will also be Bilic's first match after taking charge of the Croatia national team again following his previous role as head coach of Beijing Guoan.