Why you should watch every team at the 2018 World Cup

Croatia

Croatia have a tendency to fly under the radar of European national teams. However, they’re one of a select few countries that possesses significant top-tier players populating the world’s best club teams, and for a side that includes household names Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric, it’s a bit surprising they aren’t thought of as a power.

Given their recent results in major tournaments, though, it’s difficult to argue they deserve more recognition.

They bowed out of Euro 2016 in the round of 16, falling to the eventual champs Portugal on a last-gasp Ricardo Quaresma goal in extra time, and they disappointingly failed to get out of the group stage in the 2014 World Cup. It was a loss to Mexico that knocked them out in Brazil, as they gave up three goals in a short span in the second half en route to a decisive 3-1 defeat. They didn’t even qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Now is the time for Croatia, who are in the midst of a golden age. This cycle is their last chance to make something of a 30-year-old Rakitic and a 32-year-old Modric, and it will be their first cycle with a core of players on the books of big clubs.

Tin Jedvaj, Bayer Leverkusen’s 22-year-old defender, joins Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic (23) and Napoli midfielder Marko Rog as stars who have come of age in the last four years. Holdovers like Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic, Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren and Atletico Madrid right-back Sime Vrsaljko fill out the starting XI.

It is not easy to put as many players on top-tier sides as Croatia have in recent years. 2018 will be their opportunity to show the world they can take advantage of that talent.