Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has expressed confidence that captain Luka Modric will be fit for the 2026 World Cup despite undergoing surgery for a broken cheekbone. The 40-year-old AC Milan midfielder suffered the injury during a clash of heads with Juventus's Manuel Locatelli in a 0-0 draw on Sunday.
Milan confirmed that Modric sustained a "complex, multi-fragment fracture of the left zygomatic bone" and underwent "completely successful" surgery. The club did not specify his recovery timeline but wished him well ahead of the World Cup, which starts on 11 June. Croatia's opening match is against England on 17 June.
"I've been talking to Luka and wished him a successful surgery and a speedy recovery," Dalic said. "I am convinced that he will do everything to be ready for the World Cup, and we'll provide full support."
Modric is expected to miss the remainder of the Serie A season as Milan push for a Champions League spot. They currently sit third with 67 points, four ahead of fourth-placed Juventus.