Morocco vs Croatia – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Odds, Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup 

Luka Modric of Croatia against Scotland
Luka Modric of Croatia against Scotland / IMAGO

2018 World Cup finalists Croatia will begin their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign this Wednesday when they face Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.

Venue: Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor) 

Key Statistics

Morocco are currently on a run of seven internationals without defeat (W5, D2).

They have a poor record against active UEFA nations currently in FIFA’s top-40 (W8, D9, L18).

Morocco are the first African country to top their group in a World Cup.

Croatia are unbeaten in their last six games (W5, D1).

They have three clean sheets from their last five games.

Luka Modrić is the second-most capped European in Qatar behind Cristiano Ronaldo. 

None of Croatia’s five prior World Cup openers (W2, L3) have ended level.

Head to head

This is the first meeting between both sides. 

Latest performances in all competitions

Morocco: W-D-W-W-D 

Croatia: W-W-W-W-W 

Morocco 

Morocco will launch another attempt to better their all-time best World Cup run when they face Croatia at the Al Bayt Stadium, which hosted the opening game between Qatar and Ecuador.

The Atlas Lions reached the Round of 16 in 1986 and became the first African nation to top a World Cup group. 

But they finished bottom of their 2018 group with one point, and the odds are stacked against them in this group, which includes Canada and Belgium.

Under former Morocco international Walid Regragui, the Atlas Lions will be slightly confident of enjoying a solid run in the tournament. They currently are a run of seven internationals without defeat (W5, D2).

However, Morocco’s all-time record vs active UEFA nations currently in FIFA’s top-40 remains very bleak (W8, D9, L18), so they will have to dig in this time to get a result against Croatia.

Possible Morocco starting line-up

Yassine Bounou; Noussair Mazraoui, Romain Saiss, Nayef Aguerd, Achraf Hakimi; Azzedine Ounahi, Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah; Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal. 

Injured: None 

Doubtful: None  

Suspended: None 

Croatia 

After a strong run in the 2018 World Cup edition, Croatia have another chance at making history this year, beginning with this game against Morocco.

Since finishing second in the World Cup last year, Croatia have sustained their upward trajectory and come into this tie in good shape. They are currently ranked 12th in the FIFA rankings, so they are expected to qualify from the group.

Croatia is led on-field by Russia 2018’s official ‘Best Player’ and reliable captain, Luka Modrić. Their high self-esteem has been most lately upheld by reaching the 2023 UEFA Nations League finals earlier this year after finishing Group A1 with four wins. They come into this fixture unbeaten in their last six games, with five wins in their last five games.

So there will be much determination, especially with half of the 12 outfield players used in their 4-2 grand final defeat to France four years ago travelling to Qatar alongside coach Dalić.

Possible Croatia starting line-up

Dominik Livakovic; Josip Juranovic, Dejan Lovren, Josko Gvardiol, Borna Sosa; Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic; Mario Pasalic, Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic.

Injured: None 

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None 

Odds

Prediction

Morocco 1-3 Croatia 

Live Stream

For details, FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 – TV Broadcast / Live Stream