Zlatko Dalić Resigns as Croatia Coach After World Cup Defeat
WHO:
Newsday - Zlatko Dalić, head coach of Croatia's national soccer team
Yahoo Sports - Croatian Football Federation
The New York Times - Luka Modrić, star player of Croatia
Yahoo Sports - Goncalo Ramos, player for Portugal
WHAT:
Newsday - Dalić stated, “I leave with a fulfilled heart, proud of my contribution to the greatest successes of Croatian soccer in history, and I wish my successor, the national team and Croatian soccer many new successes.”
Yahoo Sports - Dalić expressed, “I have always said that there is no greater honor than leading my national team, and that I cannot have a more important, more responsible, and more beautiful job than this.”
The New York Times - Dalić's final game was marked by a controversial stoppage-time decision where Josko Gvardiol’s equalizer was ruled out for offside due to ball-chip technology.
Newsday - Zlatko Dalić resigned as Croatia's coach after a World Cup exit.
Yahoo Sports - Dalić's contract was valid until the end of the tournament, but he decided not to continue.
The New York Times - Croatia lost 2-1 to Portugal in the round of 32 at the World Cup.
Yahoo Sports - Croatia finished second in the UEFA Nations League in 2023.
Yahoo Sports - Under Dalić, Croatia was runner-up at the 2018 World Cup and third at the 2022 World Cup.
WHERE:
Newsday - The match against Portugal took place in Toronto, Canada.
WHEN:
Newsday - Dalić's resignation was announced less than a week after the World Cup match against Portugal.
The New York Times - Dalić was appointed head coach in October 2017.
WHY:
Fox News - Dalić mentioned, “The support in recent days has prompted me to reconsider my decision to leave, but... it’s about time. As much as I still feel the ambition and desire to write new successes with Croatia, I feel that this is the right moment to conclude this incredible era.”
Newsday - Dalić stated he felt it was the right moment to conclude his tenure despite his ambition to achieve more with Croatia.
Yahoo Sports - The Croatian Football Federation made efforts to keep Dalić as coach after the World Cup exit.
HOW:
Yahoo Sports - The Croatian Football Federation confirmed Dalić's departure through a statement on their official X account, describing his tenure as “an unforgettable journey” and a “proud farewell.”
The New York Times - Dalić's departure was confirmed through a statement from the Croatian Football Federation on their official X account.
(UPDATED July 8, 2026 14:45 UTC)
Croatian national soccer team coach Dalić has announced his departure, expressing pride in his contributions to the team's historic successes and wishing his successor well. He reflected on the honor of leading the national team, despite a recent controversial stoppage-time decision in his final game that ruled out Josko Gvardiol’s equalizer for offside. The Croatian Football Federation confirmed his exit, describing his tenure as “an unforgettable journey” and a “proud farewell.”
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(UPDATED July 8, 2026 13:28 UTC)
Zlatko Dalić has resigned as the head coach of Croatia's national soccer team following their recent World Cup exit, where they lost 2-1 to Portugal in Toronto. Although his contract was set to last until the end of the tournament, Dalić felt it was the right moment to conclude his tenure, despite the Croatian Football Federation's efforts to retain him. Under his leadership, Croatia achieved remarkable success, finishing as runner-up in the 2018 World Cup and third in the 2022 World Cup.