Overview
- Zlatko Dalić announced he is leaving his role as Croatia head coach following the national team's elimination from the 2026 World Cup.
- Croatia were knocked out by Portugal in a 2-1 round-of-16 defeat that saw three Croatian goals disallowed for offside, a result that precipitated the coach's decision to step down.
- The Croatian Football Federation published an official farewell praising Dalić's contributions and quoted federation president Marijan Kustić as saying Dalić's name will be 'engraved' in Croatian football history.
- Dalić led the team from 2017 to 2026, guiding Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, a third-place finish at the 2022 World Cup, and the 2023 Nations League final.
- The federation is preparing a formal succession process and local media report that former coach Slaven Bilic is the likely candidate, a development that will shape Croatia's approach to qualifying and tournament planning going forward.