Croatia vs Canada World Cup lineup, starting 11 for Group F match at Qatar 2022

Author Photo
Luka Modric, Croatia
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Canada's World Cup dream could be squashed in their next match, unless they can upset 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia. 

Alphonso Davies and Co. did their nation proud on their first trip to the finals in 36 years against Group F heavyweights Belgium, despite falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat. Indeed, had Davies scored an early penalty, things could have been different. 

Their first-half performance will have given Croatia cause for concern after the Luka Modric-led nation's poor 0-0 draw against Morocco. 

Below are the confirmed lineups for both teams based on the latest news leading up to the match.

MORE: How to watch Croatia vs. Canada

Croatia vs Canada lineups

Canada came away from their Belgium defeat with zero points, but coach John Herdman still has a fully fit squad to take on Croatia. 

Herdman was proud of his team after the opening match, but wants more.

"The big question was can we cope with the big boys and for a lot of that game we did," the Canada coach said. "But we didn't take three points and there was a deep frustration underneath all of the celebration of the performance."

Croatia confirmed starting 11

(4-3-3, right to left): Livakovic (GK) — 22. Juranovic, 6. Lovren, 20. Gvardiol, 19. Sosa — 10. Modric, 11. Brozovic, 8. Kovacic — 14. Livaja, 9. Kramaric, 4. Perisic.

  • Injured: Nikola Vlasic
  • Suspended: None

One change was inevitable in Croatia's lineup, with Nikola Vlasic set to be sidelined. The Torino man was withdrawn at halftime against Morocco with a calf problem. 

Vlasic was absent from training for two days in the aftermath but rejoined the squad on Saturday. As some Croatian outlets reported pre-match, it was Hadjuk Split forward Marko Livaja who replaces the injured winger in attack.

Despite some speculation as to other changes, all other players who started against Morocco retain their places, with the likes of Dejan Lovren and Andrej Kramaric continuing to see the field.

Canada confirmed starting 11

(3-5-2, right to left): 18. Borjan (GK) — 2. Johnston, 5. Vitoria, 4. Miller — 22. Laryea, 7. Eustaquio, 11. Buchanan, 13. Hutchinson, 19. Davies — 20. David, 17. Larin.

  • Injured: None
  • Suspended: None

Canada were expected to stick with the lineup that faced Belgium, with a fully fit squad still at Herdman's disposal. That came true, as there was just one change, with Canada all-time leading goalscorer Cyle Larin coming into the attack, while playmaker Junior Hoilett drops to the bench.

Alphonso Davies was fantastically sharp in the opening match, cooling pre-tournament fears over his condition. The Bayern Munich star picked up a hamstring problem in Germany on November 5, but is clearly back to full fitness.

Croatia vs Canada World Cup squads

Here are the names on the Canadian and Croatian World Cup squads in Qatar (caps correct as of start of Qatar 2022):

Croatia

Position No. Player Club Age Caps
GK 1 Dominik Livakovic Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 27 35
GK 12 Ivo Grbic Atletico Madrid (SPA) 26 2
GK 23 Ivica Ivusic Osijek (CRO)  27 5
DEF 2 Josip Stanisic Bayern Munich (GER) 22 7
DEF 3 Borna Barisic Rangers (SCO) 29 28
DEF 5 Martin Erlic Sassuolo (ITA) 24 4
DEF 6 Dejan Lovren Zenit St Petersburg (ITA) 33 73
DEF 19 Borna Sosa VfB Stuttgart (GER) 24 9
DEF 20 Josko Gvardiol RB Leipzig (GER) 20 13
DEF 21 Domagoj Vida AEK Athens (GRE) 33 100
DEF 22 Josip Juranovic Celtic (SCO) 27 22
DEF 24 Josip Sutalo Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 22 3
MID 7 Lovro Majer Rennes (FRA) 24 12
MID 8 Mateo Kovacic Chelsea (ENG) 28 85
MID 10 Luka Modric Real Madrid (SPA) 37 156
MID 25 Luka Sucic RB Salzburg (AUS) 20 4
MID 11 Marcelo Brozovic Inter Milan (ITA)  29 78
MID 13 Nikola Vlasic Torino (ITA) 25 43
MID 15 Mario Pasalic Atalanta (ITA) 27 44
MID 26 Kristijan Jakic Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) 25 4
FWD 4 Ivan Perisic Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) 33 117
FWD 9 Andrej Kramaric Hoffenheim (GER) 31 75
FWD 14 Marko Livaja Hadjuk Split (CRO) 29 15
FWD 16 Bruno Petkovic Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 28 23
FWD 17 Ante Budimir Osasuna (ENG) 31 15
FWD 18 Mislav Orsic Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 29 22

Canada

Position No. Player Club Age Caps
GK 18 Milan Borjan Red Star Belgrade (SRB) 35 68
GK 16 James Pantemis CF Montreal (CAN) 25 0
GK 1 Dayne St. Clair Minnesota United (USA) 25 2
DEF 3 Sam Adekugbe Hatayspor (TUR) 27 34
DEF 25 Derek Cornelius Panetolikos (GRE) 24 14
DEF 2 Alistair Johnston CF Montreal (CAN) 24 30
DEF 22 Richie Laryea Toronto FC (CAN) 27 34
DEF 4 Kamal Miller CF Montreal (CAN) 25 29
DEF 5 Steven Vitoria GD Chaves (POR) 35 35
DEF 26 Joel Waterman CF Montreal (CAN) 26 2
MID 7 Stephen Eustaquio FC Porto (POR) 25 22
MID 8 Liam Fraser KMSK Deinze (BEL) 24 15
MID 13 Atiba Hutchinson Besiktas (TUR) 39 98
MID 14 Mark-Anthony Kaye Toronto FC (CAN) 27 38
MID 15 Ismael Kone CF Montreal (CAN) 20 6
MID 21 Jonathan Osorio Toronto FC (CAN) 30 57
MID 23 Liam Millar FC Basel (SWZ) 23 16
MID 6 Samuel Piette CF Montreal (CAN) 28 66
MID 24 David Wotherspoon St. Johnstone (SCO) 32 10
MID 10 Junior Hoilett Reading FC (ENG) 32 50
FWD 11 Tajon Buchanan Club Brugge (BEL) 23 26
FWD 9 Lucas Cavallini Vancouver Whitecaps (CAN) 29 34
FWD 20 Jonathan David LOSC Lille (FRA) 22 35
FWD 19 Alphonso Davies Bayern Munich (GER) 22 34
FWD 17 Cyle Larin Club Brugge (BEL) 27 55
FWD 12 Ike Ugbo Troyes (FRA) 24 8
Author(s)
Toby Miles Photo

Toby Miles is a freelance content producer for The Sporting News.