Gibraltar vs Croatia

Croatia’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign kicks off at Estadio Algarve against continental minnows Gibraltar.

Since joining FIFA in 2016, Gibraltar have never won a World Cup qualifier, and expectations remain understandably low for the 196th-ranked nation as they prepare to face 11th-ranked Croatia. Their Group L campaign has already started on a sour note, with back-to-back defeats, including a heavy 4-0 home loss to the Czech Republic last time out. Gibraltar’s qualifying record paints a bleak picture – they’ve lost all 22 World Cup qualifiers to date, conceding at least three goals in 21! Their recent form in competitive action has shown signs of improvement, with a four-game unbeaten run (W1, D3) in the UEFA Nations League offering a glimmer of hope for future progress, including a potential League C promotion next year.

Croatia’s Nations League commitments delayed their World Cup qualifying campaign until now as they fought France for a place in the semi-finals in March. Despite a 2-0 first-leg win, they bowed out of that quarter-final tie, worsening an already worrying five-game form (W1, D2, L2). A second-leg loss in Paris extended Croatia’s winless away streak to four matches (D1, L3), prompting fierce reactions from long-serving coach Zlatko Dalic, who expects his side to bounce back in this fixture. The Blazers hammered Gibraltar 4-0 in their only previous meeting in 2015 and will expect nothing less. Getting the game off to a flyer will be the visitors’ priority after conceding first in five of their last six internationals (W2, D2, L2).