Two very different football stories meet tonight in Group L at the 2026 World Cup. On one side, Croatia carry the weight of a golden generation approaching its final chapter — led, as always, by Luka Modric, now 40 years old and playing in what everyone expects to be his last World Cup. On the other, Panama make only their second ever appearance at the tournament, desperate to show the world they are here to leave a mark.
Modric: The Last Dance
Luka Modric is arguably the greatest midfielder of his generation. He won the Ballon d'Or in 2018 — the year he dragged Croatia to their first ever World Cup final — breaking the Messi-Ronaldo stranglehold on that award that had lasted over a decade. At 40, his role has evolved. He controls games with intelligence and positioning that younger players take years to develop. If Croatia are to do anything at this tournament, they need him playing well. And at moments that matter, Modric still shows up.
Panama's Second Chapter
Panama first appeared at a World Cup in 2018, where they went winless but earned enormous goodwill for their passion and commitment. Eight years on, they're back — with a squad that has benefited from those experiences and a generation of players who have grown up believing they can compete at this level. Manager Thomas Christiansen has built a side that will not be easy to break down, even for a team of Croatia's quality.
Group L Dynamics
Group L also contains England and Ghana. With England and Croatia both fancied to progress, Panama will need a strong showing in their opening game to stay in the conversation. Croatia, meanwhile, cannot afford a slow start. They know what it takes to go deep at tournaments — reaching the final in 2018 and the semi-finals in 2022 — but the squad has aged and there is less margin for error now.
One Last Shot at the Summit
For Modric, every touch tonight carries the weight of everything he has given to this sport. Croatia need their talisman at his best. Panama need to believe the impossible is possible. That's what the World Cup is for.
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