Modrić's Last Dance: Croatia at the 2026 World Cup
Luka Modrić is playing his last World Cup at 40. The Croatia captain reached his 200th cap in the win over Panama and faces a final group test.
Luka Modrić is playing the last World Cup of his career. Croatia's captain confirmed his retirement plans before the tournament and reached 200 international caps on Tuesday 23 June as Croatia beat Panama 1-0 to keep their qualifying hopes alive. Modrić is 40. He is the first Croatian player to reach 200 caps and the only player still active from his country's golden generation. Manager Zlatko Dalić said Modrić had played "excellently at 40 years of age" against Panama.
Luka Modrić has confirmed the 2026 World Cup will be his last. The 40-year-old Croatia captain reached 200 international caps in the 1-0 win over Panama on 23 June 2026. Modrić retires from football after the tournament. Croatia must beat Ghana in their final group game to confirm a place in the last 32.
Is the 2026 World Cup Luka Modrić's last?
Yes. Modrić has confirmed he will retire from professional football after the 2026 World Cup. The decision came as the 40-year-old's club career wound down following his departure from Real Madrid as the most decorated player in the club's history.
He led Croatia to the final in Russia 2018, winning the Ballon d'Or as part of that run. He carried Croatia to a third-place finish in Qatar 2022. The 2026 tournament closes a glittering international career that brought 28 trophies at Real Madrid alongside the 2018 Croatia runner-up medal.
Manager Zlatko Dalić has built the current Croatia team around a transition. Modrić is the bridge between the 2018 generation and the new players Dalić wants to develop. The decision to stay on for one more tournament was made to lead the group through the change.
Croatia's tournament path and Modrić's 200th cap
Croatia opened the tournament with a 4-2 loss to England at Dallas Stadium on 17 June. Harry Kane scored twice, Bellingham added the third, and the result left Croatia with a must-win against Panama in their second group game.
That game came on 23 June. Croatia won 1-0 through an Ante Budimir finish in the 54th minute, completing a low cross from Josip Stanišić on the right. Modrić made his 200th appearance for Croatia in the same match. He is the first Croatian player to reach the milestone, and Dalić singled out his performance after the game.
Croatia sit second in Group L with three points behind England's four. Ghana sit third on one point after a goalless draw with England. Panama are bottom. Croatia play Ghana in their final group game, with a win confirming qualification for the round of 32 and an exit otherwise.
What Modrić's retirement means for collectors
A player's last World Cup is one of the most-watched moments in the signed memorabilia market. Modrić retires as the most decorated player in Real Madrid history with 28 trophies, the 2018 Ballon d'Or, and Croatia's all-time appearance record. Every signed item from his final tournament window carries the closing-chapter premium that drives appreciation.
Signed Luka Modrić memorabilia is part of the authenticated catalogue at MVPs. The collection covers Croatia, Real Madrid and Tottenham-era pieces with full Beckett certificates of authenticity.
For Croatia, the path through the knockouts depends on the Ghana result. For Modrić, every minute on the pitch from here is one of the last he will play in a national team shirt.