Key keywords: Luka Modrić, Croatia national football team, new Croatia head coach, 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, international football retirement, Luka Modrić career extension, Croatia World Cup upset, Ivan Jurić, Croatian football golden generation, Zlatko Dalić successor Just days after being appointed as the successor to long-time Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić, new head coach Ivan Jurić has publicly appealed to legendary midfielder Luka Modrić to delay his planned international retirement and stay with the national squad to help turn around their faltering 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. The plea comes in the wake of a devastating upset last week, where Croatia fell 0-1 to Armenia in an away European qualifying fixture, leaving the 2018 World Cup runners-up in third place in their group, 4 points behind leading sides Turkey and Wales with only 6 matches remaining in the qualifying cycle. Modrić, who turned 39 in September 2024, has long been the undisputed heart of Croatia’s golden generation, leading the side to a historic second-place finish at the 2018 Russia World Cup, a third-place finish at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and consecutive UEFA Nations League finals appearances. The Real Madrid midfield maestro had previously hinted that he would step away from international football after the 2026 World Cup if Croatia qualified, or immediately if the team failed to secure a spot in the tournament, prompting widespread concern among fans and football officials following the recent upset loss. In his first press conference as national team coach, Jurić emphasized that Modrić’s presence is irreplaceable for the squad, both for his elite on-pitch performance and his unmatched leadership in the locker room. “Luka is not just a player for us, he is the backbone of this team. His ability to control the tempo of the game, his pinpoint passing, and his experience in high-pressure situations are things no other player in our squad can replicate right now,” Jurić told reporters. “I have spoken to him personally, and I have begged him to stay with us at least until we lock in our spot for the 2026 World Cup. We still have enough time to fix our current position in the group, but we cannot do it without him.” Jurić also noted that the recent upset exposed clear gaps in the Croatian midfield when Modrić is not at his best, with younger players still lacking the consistency and tactical awareness to lead the side through high-stakes qualifying matches. Modrić, who remains a key starter for Real Madrid in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League this season, has not yet publicly responded to Jurić’s appeal, with sources close to the player stating that he is taking time to weigh his options before making a final decision. Croatian football fans across the globe have launched social media campaigns urging Modrić to stay, with many stating that his presence is the only guarantee that the team will qualify for what would be his fifth World Cup appearance.