Coach Zlatko Dalić leaves the Croatian national team.
The Croatian national team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup last week after a controversial 1-2 defeat to Portugal in Toronto.
In the 103rd minute, Croatia thought they had equalized, but the goal was disallowed when the referee ruled that Igor Matanović's header had gone to a teammate who was in an offside position before Joško Gvardiol finished with a shot into the net.
That result also officially marked the end of an era for Croatian football.
In an official statement, the Croatian Football Federation wrote: "A humble beginning. An unforgettable journey. A proud farewell. After almost nine years, coach Zlatko Dalić has decided to close his successful chapter with the Croatian national team."
Coach, thank you for everything – the victories, the achievements, the qualification for major tournaments, the medals, the team spirit, the respect, and the unwavering dedication in the fight for the Croatian flag, both on and off the field.
The results he achieved speak volumes about his coaching talent. And the respect he received from the players, coaching staff, and even his opponents speaks volumes about the man he is.”
Zlatko Dalić was appointed head coach of the Croatian national team in October 2017.
At the time, he stated that he would only continue his work if he helped Croatia qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia .
He has achieved this goal.
Not only that, the Croatian national team also achieved a miracle by reaching the 2018 World Cup final, including a 2-1 victory over England in the semi-final – a match that meant the "Three Lions" missed out on their first World Cup final since 1966.
In their final match, the Croatian national team lost 2-4 to France and finished as runners-up.
Subsequently, at EURO 2020, Croatia reached the round of 16 before losing to Spain after extra time.
At the 2022 World Cup, Zlatko Dalić's team continued to impress by reaching the semi-finals. They lost 0-3 to Argentina before defeating Morocco to secure third place.
However, at EURO 2024, Croatia disappointed by being eliminated in the group stage.
At the 2026 World Cup, the Croatian national team finished second in Group L, behind only England, before being eliminated in the round of 16 after a controversial defeat to Portugal.
The departure of coach Zlatko Dalić brings to an end nearly a decade of unparalleled success in Croatian football history, a period in which the national team consistently made its mark on the international stage and became one of the most formidable teams in Europe and the world.