Midfielder Luka Modric was included in Croatia's 26-man provisional squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 just ‌weeks after undergoing cheekbone surgery. The 40-year-old 2018 Ballon d'Or winner had suffered the injury following a clash of heads in their match against Juventus in April. "He's training with a facial mask ⁠and doing well," head coach Zlatko Dalic said.