On the eve of the penultimate qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup against the Faroe Islands, Croatian coach Zlatko Dalić and vice-captain Ivan Perišić spoke to the press.
Vatrene shares a new placement at the world fair only one pointand tomorrow they can mathematically ensure it – it would be their seventh appearance at the World Cup.
In past years, we had excellent results and deserved an easier group. Now it is important to do well until the end. If we solve everything tomorrow, it will be easier in these last days,, but we will go for both victories, because our path, if the other results coincide, can be easier that way in the WC draw. We are Croatia and we always go for victorysaid Perišić.
The experienced Perišić also commented on the situation with the younger players in the national team.
Everyone should be maximally focusedI want them to enjoy themselves, live for it and give their best for Croatia. We veterans are here to help them, and they to do their thing.
Perišić’s PSV is currently first in the rankings, and the Croatian national team player plays regularly.
I live for every day and every training sessionafter the severe injury I experienced, I am grateful for everything. That injury allowed me to see and appreciate everything in a new way. The experience is there, I know that the end is coming and now I know that I have to work even harder to play for both the club and the national team.
Coach Dalić announced all three points against the game with the Faroe Islands, but with caution:
Our habit is to we respect every opponentas well as the Faroe Islands. We have a tough game ahead of us, we won’t just get to victory. The Faroe Islands had a historic qualifying cycle, they have 12 points, but our goal is to win three points and have the best cycle in our historyDalić started by saying that he was not happy with the first game against the same team.
At that time I was not happy with our game, except for the result, but after seeing the defeat of Montenegro and the Czech Republic, I was happyDalić said briefly.
Dalić was recently nominated for the best coach in 2025.
If we were only looking at individual accolades, we wouldn’t be here. I am happy about that, but if there was no team, there would be no recognition, so we are all here for Croatia.
Dalić also commented on the possibility of additional subpoenas.
The goal is to let’s confirm that we are at the WC tomorrowbut there will be no new pre-invitations if this is confirmed. There are 24 of us and then we will give all players a chance. What we have here is enough, concluded Dalić, who said that he would Martin Erlić to be ready for Montenegro and that he is the only one who will not be in the lineup for the Faroe Islands tomorrow.
The match between Croatia and the Faroe Islands will be played on Friday from 20:45 in Rijeka’s Rujevica, and then on Monday Vatreni conclude the qualifiers with a match against Montenegro in Podgorica.
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: Luka Stanzl/PIXSELL)
