Soccer-Croatia's Dalic mixes youth and experience in bid for World Cup success

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - Group A - Croatia v Denmark - Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia - September 22, 2022 Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic REUTERS/Antonio Bronic/File Photo

(Reuters) - Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic named a 26-man squad with a blend of new and experienced players for this month's World Cup in Qatar, pairing the expertise of veterans like Luka Modric and Domagoj Vida with younger talent like Josko Gvardiol.

Croatia finished top of their Nations League group ahead of world champions France and Denmark, and the 2018 runners-up will be riding a wave of momentum heading into the tournament.