Joško Gvardiol

Joško Gvardiol is a defender in Croatia's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named on 18 May 2026 and listed in the defender group alongside Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Šutalo, Josip Stanišić, Marin Pongračić, Martin Erlić and Luka Vušković. The Manchester City centre-back is 24 at kick-off and brings 46 senior Croatia caps and four international goals into the tournament, his second senior World Cup after the third-place finish at Qatar 2022.

Croatia play England, Ghana and Panama in Group L, with their opener against England at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on 17 June. Dalić's side qualified by topping their UEFA qualifying group on 14 November 2025. Gvardiol was named in the squad despite a January shin injury, with his fitness expected in time for the tournament.

Gvardiol is a left-footed, ball-playing centre-back whose game starts with carrying the ball out of defence and moving play forward with his passing. He is an aggressive, front-foot defender who makes a high volume of tackles and interceptions, and his recovery pace lets him step up to defend high without leaving space in behind.

His left foot and comfort in possession also let Dalić use him at left-back or in a back three. That versatility fits Croatia's 4-2-3-1 shape, whether he is used centrally or on the left.

Gvardiol gives a Croatia card a modern defender: a left-footed centre-back who carries the ball forward and already has four international goals, including one at the 2022 World Cup. Croatia are rated in the third tier on the card, valued at £17m within the game's £200m card budget, and Group L lies ahead.

As a defender his return leans on how far Croatia advance and on clean sheets, with his ball progression and the occasional goal from the back adding a little more.