Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic resigns after Round of 32 exit at World Cup

July 8 (UPI) -- Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic resigned after his team's Round of 32 exit at the World Cup, the Croatian Football Federation announced Wednesday.

Dalic, who became manager in 2017, led the Croatians to second-place at the 2018 World Cup and third place in 2022. He also led Croatia to a runner-up finish in the 2023 UEFA Nations League.

"The role of a selector demands many tough decisions, but this one has certainly been the hardest for me," Dalic said, according to the federation. "I've always said there's no greater honor than leading your national team, and that I couldn't have a more important, responsible or beautiful job than this.

"When I took over the national team, I believed in the players' quality and in myself, but I didn't dare dream that we'd achieve everything we have over these nearly nine years."

The Croatians, who sit at No. 13 in the FIFA world rankings, were 2-1-0 in Group L, behind group winner England (No. 4). They advanced to the knockout stages of the World Cup but lost to No. 7 Portugal in a Round of 32 match Thursday in Toronto.

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This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 9:46 AM.