“Croatia’s calm and coordinated play under pressure made the difference in the decisive moments.”
Croatia secured their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after beating the Faroe Islands 3‑1 in Rijeka. The win confirmed Croatia as the winners of their qualifying group and ended the Faroe Islands’ hopes of reaching the tournament. The victory also highlighted Croatia’s strong squad depth and tactical discipline throughout the qualifiers.
The Faroe Islands took an early lead through Geza Dávid Turi, surprising the home crowd, but Croatia quickly responded. Joško Gvardiol scored the equalizer, and Petar Musa put Croatia ahead with a clinical finish. Nikola Vlašić sealed the 3‑1 victory with a well-placed late goal, ensuring the team’s dominance.
Croatia played a 3‑4-2-1 formation, with Luka Vušković making his first senior start. Captain Luka Modrić led the team with experience and composure, guiding younger players and controlling the midfield throughout the match.
The win ensures Croatia will play in the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. For the Faroe Islands, this campaign was still historic, finishing with their best-ever points tally in European qualifying. While their dream of a World Cup ended, the team gained valuable experience and recognition on the international stage.