Croatia

Small country, massive overachievers — this Adriatic nation of just four million people has somehow punched way above its weight in international soccer for decades, finishing second in the world back in 2018. Heading into 2026, they're in a bit of a transition, with their golden generation aging out and younger players still finding their footing, so expectations are more cautious than usual. Keep an eye on whether they can find a new identity beyond leaning on veteran superstar Luka Modrić, who at this point is basically playing on borrowed time at the top level.