Morocco vs Croatia World Cup lineup, starting 11 for Group F match at Qatar 2022

David Lynch

Morocco vs Croatia World Cup lineup, starting 11 for Group F match at Qatar 2022 image

Croatia begin their bid to go one better than the last World Cup when they take on Morocco on Wednesday.

Zlatko Dalic's men were surprise participants in the final of the 2018 edition of this tournament, where they were ultimately beaten by France.

Croatia aren't tipped for glory in Qatar, either, though a good start against Morocco will undoubtedly lead to suggestions they might be dark horses.

Below are the confirmed lineups for both teams.

MORE: Morocco vs. Croatia live: World Cup score, highlights, result from 2022 Group F match

Morocco vs Croatia lineups

Croatia boss Dalic is convinced his side are fully equipped for another deep World Cup run despite limited preparation time.

With the tournament taking place in the middle of the European season, there has been no opportunity for friendlies or much training before kickoff.

But Croatia's manager struck a bullish note in his press conference before the opener, saying: "We used this time to get used to the conditions that awaited us. I am very satisfied. We are ready.

"We chose the highest quality in terms of energy and experience. We don't have any doubts anymore; the guys know the lineup.

"We have experience and energy, and we have a good mix. A challenging match awaits us. I believe we made the right choice."

MORE: When is Morocco vs Croatia at FIFA World Cup? Updated TV schedule, time, odds

Morocco confirmed starting 11

(4-3-3, right to left): 1. Bounou (GK) — 5. Aguerd, 3. Mazraoui, 2. Hakimi — 15. Amallah, 8. Ounahi, 4. Amrabat 6. Saiss — 17. Boufal, 19. En-Nesyri, 7. Ziyech.

  • Injured: Sabiri, Ezzalzouli
  • Suspended: none

Walid Regragui is without both Abdelhamid Sabiri and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli for the opening match of Morocco's second consecutive World Cup.

However, he is able to name a talented starting XI featuring stars such as Achraf HakimiHakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui.

Croatia confirmed starting 11

Croatia (4-1-4-1, right to left): 1. Livakovic (GK) — 22. Juranovic, 6. Lovren, 19. Sosa, 20. Gvardiol — 10. Modric — 4. Perisic, 8. Kovacic, 11. Brozovic, 13. Vlasic — 9. Kramaric.

  • Injured: none
  • Suspended: none

Marko Livaja's recovery from injury means Dalic has a fully fit squad to choose from for his side's opening group game.

The experienced Luka Modric is partnered by Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic in a midfield that will be the envy of many of the top teams at the tournament.

Morocco vs Croatia World Cup squads

Here are the 26 names on each team's squad lists at the World Cup in Qatar:

Morocco

Position No. Player Club Age Caps
GK 1 Yassine Bono Sevilla (SPA) 31 45
GK 12 Munir Al Wehda (KSA) 33 43
GK 22 Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti Wydad (MOR) 26 3
DEF 2 Achraf Hakimi Real Madrid (SPA) 24 53
DEF 3 Noussair Mazraoui Bayern Munich (GER) 24 14
DEF 6 Romain Saiss Besiktas (TUR) 32 65
DEF 5 Nayef Aguerd West Ham (ENG) 26 21
DEF 20 Achraf Dari Brest (FRA) 23 4
DEF 18 Jawad El-Yamiq Valladolid (SPA) 30 11
DEF 25 Yahi Attain-Allal Wydad (MOR) 27 1
DEF 23 Badr Benoun Qatar SC (QAT) 29 3
MID 4 Sofyan Amrabat Fiorentina (ITA) 26 38
MID 15 Selim Amallah Standard Liege (BEL) 25 23
MID 11 Abdelhamid Sabiri Sampdoria (ITA) 25 2
MID 8 Azzedine Ounahi Angers (FRA) 22 9
MID 24 Bilel El Khanouss Genk (BEL) 18 0
MID 26 Yahya Jabrane Wydad (MOR) 31 4
FWD 7 Hakim Ziyech Chelsea (ENG) 24 42
FWD 19 Youssef En-Nesyri Sevilla (SPA) 25 49
FWD 17 Sofiane Boufal Angers (FRA) 29 31
FWD 14 Zaharia Aboukhlal Toulouse (FRA) 22 12
FWD 16 Abdessamad Ezzalzouli Osasuna (SPA) 20 1
FWD 10 Anass Zaroury Burnley (ENG) 22 0
FWD 13 Ilias Chair QPR (ENG) 25 10
FWD 9 Abderrazak Hamdallah Al Ittihad (KSA) 31 17
FWD 21 Walid Cheddira Bari (ITA) 24 2

Croatia

Position No. Player Club Age Caps
GK 1 Dominik Livakovic Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 27 34
GK 12 Ivo Grbic Atletico Madrid (SPA) 26 2
GK 23 Ivica Ivusic Osijek (CRO)  27 5
DEF 2 Josip Stanisic Bayern Munich (GER) 22 7
DEF 3 Borna Barisic Rangers (SCO) 29 28
DEF 5 Martin Erlic Sassuolo (ITA) 24 4
DEF 6 Dejan Lovren Zenit St Petersburg (ITA) 33 72
DEF 19 Borna Sosa VfB Stuttgart (GER) 24 8
DEF 20 Josko Gvardiol RB Leipzig (GER) 20 12
DEF 21 Domagoj Vida AEK Athens (GRE) 33 100
DEF 22 Josip Juranovic Celtic (SCO) 27 21
DEF 24 Josip Sutalo Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 22 3
MID 7 Lovro Majer Rennes (FRA) 24 11
MID 8 Mateo Kovacic Chelsea (ENG) 28 84
MID 10 Luka Modric Real Madrid (SPA) 37 155
MID 25 Luka Sucic RB Salzburg (AUS) 20 4
MID 11 Marcelo Brozovic Inter Milan (ITA)  29 77
MID 13 Nikola Vlasic Torino (ITA) 25 42
MID 15 Mario Pasalic Atalanta (ITA) 27 43
MID 26 Kristijan Jakic Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) 25 4
FWD 4 Ivan Perisic Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) 33 116
FWD 9 Andrej Kramaric Hoffenheim (GER) 31 74
FWD 14 Marko Livaja Hadjuk Split (CRO) 29 14
FWD 16 Bruno Petkovic Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 28 23
FWD 17 Ante Budimir Osasuna (ENG) 31 15
FWD 18 Mislav Orsic Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 29 21

David Lynch

David Lynch Photo

David Lynch is a freelance football journalist primarily covering Liverpool FC. He has reported on the the Reds for over a decade for publications such as the Sunday Mirror and Evening Standard, carving out a reputation as a trusted voice on all things Anfield in the process. Having followed Liverpool across England and Europe over the course of his career, David has filed from illustrious venues such as Camp Nou, the Allianz Arena and the Estadio do Dragao, as well as from multiple Champions League finals.