Ivan Perisic

Ivan Perisic is a confirmed forward in Croatia's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named by Zlatko Dalic on 18 May 2026 and listed in the forward group alongside Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, Marco Pašalić, Petar Musa and Igor Matanović. The PSV Eindhoven left winger is 37 at kick-off and brings 152 senior Croatia caps and 38 international goals into the squad as of 31 March 2026, as one of four Croatia players in the squad with more than 100 caps.

Croatia face England, Ghana and Panama in Group L, with Croatia's opener against England at AT&T Stadium on 17 June. Dalic's side won UEFA Group L to qualify on 14 November 2025, and Perisic is confirmed in the forward group at his fourth World Cup squad inclusion.

Perisic is a winger usually deployed as a left winger, who has also featured as a left wing-back, right winger and earlier as an attacking midfielder or second striker. Ambipedality and versatility define his profile, and he is widely considered one of the greatest Croatian players of all time and one of the best in his position.

His 152 caps and 38 international goals make him one of four Croatia players in the 2026 squad with more than 100 caps. The senior winger profile carries through to a 37-year-old heading into his fourth World Cup in Dalic's 4-2-3-1 forward group.

Croatia sit in Tier 3 at £17m within the game's £200m card budget. The Group L draw — England, Ghana and Panama — frames Dalic's 4-2-3-1 group-stage selection logic.

Perisic gives Croatia's £17m pick its senior left-wing experience: 38 international goals, 152 caps, the Croatia record for most major-tournament goal contributions (18) and most major-tournament goals (10). The £17m slot pays off through that wide-attacking profile at his fourth World Cup.