Key Takeaways:
- Zlatko Dalic resigned as Croatia manager less than a week after the team’s Round of 32 exit from the 2026 World Cup against Portugal
- During Dalic’s tenure from 2017, Croatia reached the 2018 World Cup final, secured third place in 2022, and finished as UEFA Nations League runners-up in 2022-23
- Dalic led Croatia in 111 matches, recording 62 wins and three major tournament medals
Dalic’s Nine-Year Journey Comes to an End
Zlatko Dalic has ended his historic spell as the Croatian national football team’s head coach, as confirmed by the Croatian Football Federation on Wednesday. This announcement arrives just days after Croatia exited the 2026 World Cup, following a 2-1 defeat by Portugal in the Round of 32.
A humble arrival. An unforgettable journey. A proud farewell.
Following nearly nine years, head coach Zlatko Dalić has decided to close his incredibly successful chapter with #Croatia. 🥈🥉🥈
Head coach, thank you for everything – the victories, the achievements, the qualifying… pic.twitter.com/LHLzoe0JVj
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) July 8, 2026
Achievements under Dalic’s Leadership
Appointed in 2017, Dalic ushered in a period of unprecedented success for Croatian football. The team finished as World Cup runners-up in 2018 and claimed third place at the 2022 edition in Qatar. Croatia also achieved a silver medal as runners-up in the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.
Dalic managed Croatia through 111 fixtures, registering 62 victories. Reflecting on his time in charge, he expressed immense pride in the squad’s accomplishments, stating:
“When I took over the national team, I believed in the players’ quality and in myself, but I didn’t dare dream that we’d achieve everything we have over these nearly nine years,” Dalic said.
“I can’t describe how proud I am of every victory, of qualifying for major tournaments, of the three medals, of those great nights in Croatian football like when we beat England or Brazil at World Cups.”
World Cup 2026: Campaign Recap
In the 2026 World Cup, Croatia progressed to the Round of 32 after finishing second in Group L. Their group stage included a 4-2 defeat by England, a narrow 1-0 win over Panama in which they produced only two shots on target, and a victory over Ghana. However, their journey concluded with a 2-1 loss to Portugal. After the match, Dalic voiced concerns over refereeing decisions, particularly regarding a VAR-awarded penalty and a late offside call that saw Josko Gvardiol’s stoppage-time equaliser disallowed. He was keen to note, though, that officiating was not an excuse for Croatia’s World Cup exit.
Tributes from the Federation
As Dalic steps down, the Croatian Football Federation expressed their gratitude: “Head coach, thank you for everything – the victories, the achievements, the qualifying berths, the medals, the unity, the respect, and your unwavering commitment to fight for Croatia, both on and off the pitch.”
