DEFEATED finalists in 2018, Croatia were undoubtedly the feel-good team of the last World Cup.
France had to be on top of their game to beat them at the showpiece event in Russia four-and-a-half years ago, as they triumphed on the greatest stage of them all 4-2.
On route to the final Croatia had to beat Denmark, the hosts and of course England. Their group was a feisty one too, consisting of Nigeria, Argentina and Iceland.
Still, they managed to win every single game up until they stumbled across the French, who were certainly at their peak of their powers.
Fast-forward to present day, Croatia will fancy their chances of having a decent tournament.
Zlatko Dalic is still in charge and boasts an array of talent across his squad.
From former Ballon D’or winner Luka Modric to Mateo Kovacic, and Ivan Perisic to Dejan Lovren, they have plenty of good, experienced players who will hurt any team on any given day.
From a Scottish perspective, there could potentially be some very strong interest from both Celtic and Rangers fans in how Croatia gets on. Josip Juranovic, Borna Barisic and Antonio Colak will all be vying for positions in the final pool of players to head to Qatar. The trio are all within a shout having been named in Dalic’s 34-man preliminary squad.
Josko Gvardiol is another name to look out for in the tournament. The defender, 20, made quite the impression at Euro 2020 after making his debut a short while before the competition. Plying his trade with high-flying RB Leipzig, he is a pacey defender with a wicked left foot.
Most of Europe’s top clubs have been touted as taking an interest in him, so it would be no surprise to see him earn a big money move off the back of another impressive tournament.
That’s what Croatia will be aiming for overall. While they may not quite have what it takes to make it all the way to the final, there’s no reason they can’t progress to the latter stages once more.
Heading into the World Cup, Croatia have won four-games in-a-row. These victories came against Denmark on two occasions, France and Austria while on Nations League duty.
They are currently 12th in the FIFA world rankings, so by rights they shouldn’t really get past the last-16.
But with some of the aforementioned players, the fact that it will be Modric’s international swansong and their tactically astute manager setting them up with a defensively sound backline and dynamic attack, Croatia could be on course for another memorable World Cup.
They will be up against one of the favourites to win the competition in their group, though, in the form of Belgium.
Roberto Martinez’s side have promised much but delivered little in the major tournaments of recent years considering the immense pool of talent their country boasts.
They were knocked out at the quarter-final stage of the Euros, albeit by eventual winners Italy. Like Croatia, they did also make it to the semis in Russia 2018, however, of course France prevailed from that tie.
With the nation’s golden generation coming towards the end of their peaks, this World Cup could prove to be their last realistic shot of winning the trophy for quite some time.
They’re second in the world rankings, so their chances have got to be fancied if that’s anything to go by. As per their last World Cup outing, Romelu Lukaku will need to be firing on all cylinders if they are to go all of the way.
One very interesting talking point from Group F will be the meeting of the Belgians and Morocco.
Described as a “big football derby”, the teams will lock horns on Sunday, November 27 in their second group game.
The countries have a deep rivalry which stems back to a very strong community of Moroccan people in Belgium.
Martinez recently commented: “Unless you are Belgian you do not understand the story but there is a strong link.
“There are up to five or six players [in the Moroccan squad] who were born in Belgium and that creates an even stronger link.”
Morocco will have Hakim Ziyech back among their ranks for the tournament with the Chelsea player having performed a U-turn on his international retirement back in February.
