Croatia to Field Strongest Squad in Pursuit of 2027 World Cup
Head Coach Tomislav Mijatović Calls Up 15 Players for Crucial Qualifiers Against Latvia and the Netherlands, Announces Preparations in Opatija and Hamburg
Head Coach Tomislav Mijatović Calls Up 15 Players for Crucial Qualifiers Against Latvia and the Netherlands, Announces Preparations in Opatija and Hamburg
The Croatian men's national basketball team will continue its qualifying campaign for the 2027 World Cup with its strongest roster. On Friday, August 7, 2026, head coach Tomislav Mijatović announced a list of 15 players who will compete for the first two matches of the second qualifying round, against Latvia in Zadar and the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
The roster includes all key Croatian basketball players: 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.
The team will gather on August 13, 2026, in Opatija for the first phase of preparations. A week later, on August 20, they will travel to Hamburg for an international warm-up tournament. Their first opponent in Germany will be Turkey on August 21 at 5:45 PM. Depending on the outcome of that match, Croatia will play either the final or the third-place game on August 22 against the winner or loser of the Germany-Czech Republic clash.
"We are eagerly anticipating the start of preparations and reuniting with the players. Most of them were with us during the previous qualifying windows, and this time we will be joined again by Karlo Matković, Toni Nakić, and Mateo Drežnjak," said head coach Mijatović.
After returning from Hamburg, the final phase of preparations will take place in Zadar. The centerpiece will be the qualifying match against Latvia, scheduled for August 27, 2026, at 8:00 PM at the Krešimir Ćosić Sports Hall in Višnjik. Three days later, on August 30, Croatia will face the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
Mijatović is aware of the challenges posed by the players' return after the summer break. "We have very serious and specific preparations ahead because the players are coming back from the summer pause. We will place great emphasis on conditioning, technical, tactical, and individual work. We have also included an exceptionally strong tournament in Hamburg in the program. The tournament comes at the right time and will serve us for the final team integration," said the coach.
Under Mijatović's leadership, Croatia recorded five wins and only one loss in the first qualifying round, securing first place in their group and a solid foundation for qualifying for the World Cup, which will be hosted by Qatar. In the second round, where each team plays a total of six games, Poland currently leads with a 6-0 record. Croatia and Germany share second place with a 5-1 record, while Latvia stands at 3-3, and the Netherlands and Israel are both at 2-4.
The coach specifically highlighted the support from the stands ahead of the Zadar spectacle. "We know what kind of atmosphere Zadar can create for the Croatian national team, and we believe the arena will be packed to the rafters. I call on our fans to once again be with us and give us the much-needed wind at our backs," Mijatović concluded.
