Luka Modric has been named in Croatia's 24-man squad for the UEFA Nations League matches against Portugal and Poland, despite speculation about his future following Croatia's group stage exit at Euro 2024. The 39-year-old midfielder, who has made 178 appearances for his country, continues to play a vital role for the national team, especially after the retirement of teammates Domagoj Vida and Marcelo Brozovic. Head coach Zlatko Dalic expressed his satisfaction with Modric's inclusion, emphasizing his importance both on and off the field. Croatia aims to build a competitive team leading to the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, having previously secured a silver medal in the last Nations League edition. They will kick off their campaign on September 5 in Lisbon before hosting Poland three days later. Dalic also noted the potential for new players to earn their spots in the team as they prepare for future competitions.