Panama vs Croatia Official Lineups, Tuesday, 23 June 2026, World Cup Group L

Croatia secured a 1-0 victory over Panama in a vital Group L match during the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at BMO Field in Toronto.  Ante Budimir netted the only goal in the 54th minute, thanks to a perfectly timed cross from Josip Stanišić.
This win kept Croatia's hopes alive in the tournament.   On the other hand, Panama was eliminated with a game remaining, having also faced a late defeat against Ghana in their opening match.

A standout moment in the match was when AC Milan midfielder Luka Modrić achieved his 200th cap for the Croatian national team.

Goalkeeper Dominik Livaković deserves significant praise for his performance, making several crucial saves to prevent Panama from equalizing.

It was a delight to see Serie A players called up to represent Croatia and make an impact.
These included Fiorentina defender Marin Pongračić, AC Milan midfielder Luka Modrić, Atalanta midfielder Mario Pašalić, Torino midfielder Nikola Vlasic, Como midfielder Martin Baturina, Inter midfielder Petar Sučić, and Bologna midfielder Nikola Moro.

 

Luka Modrić achieved a remarkable milestone with his 200th international cap for Croatia in their Group stage "L" match against Panama at BMO Field in Toronto on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. He becomes the second European player to participate in 10 different major international tournaments.

 



 

FIFA RANKING

Panama is ranked 34th in the world. This marks the Central American nation's second appearance in the World Cup (the first being in Russia 2018). They are recognized for their disciplined play and have consistently scored goals leading up to the tournament.

The latest FIFA World Rankings place the Croatia men's national football team at 11th in the world, based on the points calculated in the June 2026 update.

👉   Serie A players called up for    🇭🇷     the Croatia National team:

• Fiorentina Defender Marin Pongracic


• AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric


• Atalanta midfielder Mario Pasalic


• Torino midfielder Nikola Vlasic


• Como midfielder Martin Baturina


• Inter midfielder Petar Sucic


• Bologna midfielder Nikola Moro

👉   No Serie A players in the Panama National team.

👉   Click here for  Full 2026 World Cup Squad Lists – Confirmed rosters for all 48 teams.

👉  Click here for  2026 World Cup Group Stage Standings.

 



 

🏆👉 🇵🇦 Panama 0 - 1 Croatia 🇭🇷

⚽️ Croatia takes the lead in the 54th minute. Goal by Ante Budimir! A great build-up on the right from Croatia, with Stanišić combining with Marco Pašalić to deliver a perfect cross to the far post, where the newly substituted Budimir is ready and scores past Mosquera, giving Croatia the advantage.

   Panama World Cup Squad:

• Goalkeepers: Orlando Mosquera (Al-Fayha FC), Luis Mejía (Club Nacional), César Samudio (CD Marathon).


• Defenders: César Blackman (Slovan Bratislava), Jorge Gutiérrez (Deportivo La Guaira), Amir Murillo (Besiktas), Fidel Escobar (Deportivo Saprissa), Andrés Andrade (LASK), Edgardo Fariña (FC Pari Nizhniy Novgorod), José Córdoba (Norwich City), Eric Davis (CD Plaza Amador), Jiovani Ramos (Academia Puerto Cabello), Roderick Miller (Turan Tovuz)


• Midfielders: Aníbal Godoy (San Diego FC),  Adalberto Carrasquilla (UNAM Pumas), Carlos Harvey (Minnesota United FC), Cristian Martínez (Ironi Kiryat Shmona), José Luis Rodríguez (FC Juarez), Cesar Yanis (CD Cobresal), Yoel Bárcenas (Mazatlan FC), Alberto Quintero (CD Plaza Amador), Azarías Londoño (CD Universidad Catolica)


• Forwards: Ismael Díaz (Club Leon FC), Cecilio Waterman (Universidad de Concepcion), José Fajardo (CD Universidad Catolica), Tomás Rodríguez (Deportivo Saprissa)

   Croatia World Cup 2026 Squad:

• Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Dominik Kotarski (Copenhagen), Ivor Pandur (Hull City)


• Defenders: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Sutalo (Ajax Amsterdam), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina), Martin Erlic (Midtjylland), Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg)


• Midfielders: Luka Modric (AC Milan), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Luka Sucic (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakic (Augsburg), Petar Sucic (Inter), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka)


• Forwards: Ivan Perisic (PSV), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Orlando City), Petar Musa (Dallas), Igor Matanovic (Freiburg).

 

Croatia official starting lineup against Panama

HNS_CFFPhoto via x.com/

 



 

 



 

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World Cup Group L Matchday 2

Panama 0 - 1 Croatia

Date: Tuesday, 23 June 2026
Location: Toronto Stadium (BMO Field)
Toronto, Canada

Referee: Pierre Atcho GAB
Assistant Referee 1: Boris Ditsoga GAB
Assistant Referee 2: Amos Abeigne Ndong GAB
Fourth Official: Khalid Al-Turais KSA
Reserve AR: Mohammed Al-Bakry KSA
Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Gallo COL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Fu Ming CHN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Bastian Dankert GER

Panama starting lineup (3-4-3): Orlando Mosquera, José Córdoba, César Blackman, Jiovany Ramos, Carlos Harvey, Cristian Martínez, Andrés Andrade, Amir Murillo, Yoel Bárcenas, José Luis Rodríguez, José Fajardo.

Substitutes: Roderick Miller, Ismael Díaz, Edgardo Fariña, César Samudio, Alberto Quintero, Fidel Escobar, Azarías Londoño, Cecilio Waterman, Éric Davis, Aníbal Godoy, Adalberto Carrasquilla, César Yanis, Jorge Gutiérrez, Luis Mejía, Tomás Rodríguez

🇭🇷  Croatia starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Dominik Livakovic, Josko Gvardiol, Marin Pongracic, Josip Sutalo, Josip Stanisic, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Martin Baturina, Ivan Perisic, Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa

Substitutes: Ivor Pandur, Kristijan Jakic, Ante Budimir, Nikola Moro, Duje Caleta-Car, Toni Fruk, Luka Vuskovic, Igor Matanovic, Dominik Kotarski, Nikola Vlasic, Andrej Kramaric, Petar Sucic, Luka Sucic, Martin Erlic, Mario Pasalic

 



 

 Click the video to watch Panama 0 - 1 Croatia highlights on Tuesday, 23 June 2026