The Croatian national team will once again rely on the experience of captain Luka Modrić when they face Czechia in the Nations League on September 26. Coach Slaven Bilić has included the 41-year-old midfielder in his squad for the upcoming matches, as confirmed by thescore.com on Friday.
Modrić will earn his 203rd cap against the Czech side. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (233) and the retired Lionel Messi (207) have more appearances for a European nation. Czechia enters this fixture in poor form. They have just one point from three matches in 2026 World Cup qualifying and sit fourth in their group. Goals are an issue, with the team having scored only twice while conceding six. They trail group leaders Mexico by eight points.
What role will Modrić play for Croatia?
Slaven Bilić emphasized that the approach to the star midfielder will be tailored. "He will play at a pace that suits both him and us, similar to his rhythm at Milan," Bilić said. "We have to respect that, and it will be the best for everyone." Modrić extended his contract with AC Milan in July after returning from his fifth World Cup. At the 2026 tournament, he started all four of Croatia's matches and passed the 200-cap milestone.
Bilić also stated there was no need to persuade the player. "I did not have to persuade him. He is passionate about Croatia and the national team, so this is a win-win situation," the coach added. Modrić, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, remains a key figure at forty-one.
What is Czechia's current form?
The Czech team is searching for lost confidence. Their last match was a 3-0 defeat to Mexico on June 25. Their overall form from the last five games shows one win, two draws, and two losses. The sequence of results is LDDLW, with the most recent being a loss. The team must improve in both phases of the game to succeed in a tough Nations League group. A detailed performance overview is available on our stats page.
Besides Croatia, the Czech team will face World Cup champion Spain and England in the Nations League group stage. The group phase runs from September to November. For the Czech side, it's a chance to rectify a poor start to World Cup qualifying. The current qualifying standings can be followed in our standings overview.
What does this match mean for Czechia?
The home fixture against Croatia on September 26 is important for the Czech national team. It's an opportunity to reverse the negative trend and gain confidence before other demanding battles. The coaching staff must find a solution to neutralize the experience and quality of players like Modrić. For Czech fans, it's the first home game after an unsuccessful qualifying series.
Croatia carries a bitter taste from the last World Cup. Their tournament ended controversially in the round of 32 with a disallowed goal in the 109th minute of a 2-1 loss to Portugal. That provides extra motivation for them. For the Czech team, it's important to build on better performances from the past and show progress. The complete schedule of upcoming matches is in the fixtures calendar.
The match kicks off on September 26 on Czechia's home soil.
