When and where does Croatia play against Latvia?

The match takes place on August 27, 2026, at 8:00 PM at the Krešimir Ćosić Hall in Zadar.

Which players return to the national team for the August cycle?

Karlo Matković, Toni Nakić, and Mateo Drežnjak return to the squad after missing the July window.

Why is Michael Ružić not on the roster?

Due to his move to a U.S. university, Ružić won't be available for future qualifying windows either, so the head coach decided to give opportunities to players he counts on in the final stretch of qualifiers.

Who does Croatia play at the tournament in Hamburg?

In the semifinal on August 21, they face Turkey, and depending on the result, they'll play in the final or for third place against the winner of the Germany-Czech Republic match.

Basketball

Mijatović Announces Squad: Matković, Nakić, and Drežnjak Return

K.O. · Prije 2h | 3 min

The Croatian national basketball team heads into the final stretch of World Cup 2027 qualifiers, with the head coach calling on fans to fill Krešin dom.

Summary

Head coach Tomislav Mijatović announced a 15-man squad for preparations and qualifying matches against Latvia and the Netherlands.
Preparations begin on August 13 in Opatija, followed by a strong tournament in Hamburg featuring Turkey, Germany, and Czech Republic.
The key match against Latvia takes place on August 27 in Zadar, with Mijatović calling on fans to fill the arena.
Matković, Nakić, and Drežnjak return to the squad, while Michael Ružić is omitted due to his move to study in the U.S.

Croatian senior men's national basketball team head coach Tomislav Mijatović announced the squad for the upcoming preparation cycle and crucial FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifying games on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The 15-man preliminary roster notably features the return of three players who missed the July window: Karlo Matković, Toni Nakić, and Mateo Drežnjak.

The team will assemble on August 13 in Opatija, where the first block of preparations begins. Mijatović emphasized that a demanding period lies ahead as players return from their summer break. "We'll place a major emphasis on conditioning, technical, tactical, and individual work," the head coach stated.

Strong Test in Hamburg Against Turkey and Hosts

Following Opatija, the team travels to Hamburg on August 20 for a high-caliber international tournament. Croatia will face Turkey on August 21 at 5:45 PM, while the other semifinal at 8:30 PM pits hosts Germany against Czech Republic. The following day, August 22, features the third-place game and the final.

"The tournament comes at the right time and will serve as the final tune-up for the team," Mijatović noted, aware that matches against renowned opponents will be an ideal test ahead of the qualifiers' resumption.

Zadar as a Key Asset Against Latvia

The centerpiece of the August cycle is the qualifying match against Latvia, scheduled for August 27 at 8:00 PM at the Krešimir Ćosić Hall in Zadar. The head coach makes no secret of how much he counts on support from the stands and the atmosphere long known as one of the Croatian team's strongest assets.

"We know what kind of atmosphere Zadar can create for the Croatian national team, and we believe the hall will be filled to the last seat. I call on our fans to stand by us once again and give us that much-needed wind at our backs," Mijatović said.

The day after the Latvia clash, on August 28, the squad travels from Zadar to Amsterdam, where they face the Netherlands on August 30.

Squad List: Ružić Omitted, Mavra and Škara Represent Zadar

Mijatović's roster features 15 players. Zadar's colors in the national jersey will once again be defended by Dominik Mavra and David Škara, while Michael Ružić remains out of the squad, as he was in July. Croatian Basketball Federation's sports director Krunoslav Simon explained to Sportske novosti that this is linked to Ružić's move to a U.S. university.

"He wasn't here in July, and since he's heading to a U.S. university, he won't be available during the November and February windows either, so it might be more appropriate for players we'll count on in the final two qualifying rounds to be with us," Simon explained.

The preliminary roster includes: Krešimir Radovčić, Jaleen Smith, Dominik Mavra, Roko Badžim, Antonio Jordano, Mateo Drežnjak, Mario Hezonja, Luka Božić, Toni Nakić, Dario Šarić, David Škara, Ivica Zubac, Karlo Matković, Danko Branković, and Krešimir Ljubičić.