The Vatreni will first travel to London to face England at Wembley Stadium before returning home to meet the Czech Republic at Opus Arena in Osijek. Both matches will help determine the final standings in League A Group 3, where Croatia are attempting to improve their position after a difficult opening four rounds.
Bilić is expected to reduce his preliminary squad before the international break, with the final selection scheduled to be announced on November 6. The Croatian national team will gather in Zagreb three days later before travelling to England, leaving the coaching staff with limited preparation time ahead of two demanding fixtures.
Hajduk Talents Earn First Senior Call-Ups
Among the most interesting decisions in Bilić's selection are the inclusions of Hajduk Split players Šimun Hrgović and Marin Šotiček. Both have been regular members of Croatia's youth national teams but have not previously appeared on a senior squad list, making their inclusion an important milestone in their international development.
Their call-ups follow encouraging performances at club level, where Hajduk have enjoyed a strong period under head coach Gonzalo García. Both players have contributed to the Split club's competitive domestic and European campaign, attracting attention through their performances and providing Bilić with additional options in defence and attack.
Hrgović, a young defender capable of operating on the left side, offers energy, mobility and an attacking contribution from deeper positions. His inclusion gives the Croatian coaching staff an opportunity to assess another emerging player in an area where squad depth and tactical versatility remain important. Šotiček, meanwhile, provides an alternative in attacking positions, with his direct approach and movement offering different qualities from those of Croatia's more established forwards.
Their selection also demonstrates the importance of domestic football in the national team's development. While many Croatian internationals compete in Europe's major leagues, Bilić continues to monitor players from the SuperSport HNL and recognises that strong performances at home can create opportunities at international level.
However, neither player's inclusion in the preliminary squad guarantees a place in the final selection. With 32 players initially called up, Bilić must still decide which members of the wider group will join the team for the November fixtures.
Modrić Leads an Experienced Croatian Core
Despite the introduction of younger players, Croatia's squad remains built around several internationally experienced footballers. Captain Luka Modrić is once again included, continuing his long-standing role as the team's central figure and providing leadership during an important stage of the Nations League campaign.
The midfield selection also features Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić, Lovro Majer, Martin Baturina, Petar Sučić and Luka Sučić. Their presence gives Bilić a wide range of tactical options, from technically gifted playmakers to more energetic midfielders capable of pressing opponents and supporting the defence.
Josip Mišić and Kristijan Jakić complete a particularly competitive midfield group, while Rijeka's Toni Fruk offers another creative alternative. The number of midfielders included suggests that competition for places will be especially intense when the coach reduces his preliminary selection.
In defence, Manchester City star Joško Gvardiol remains one of Croatia's most important players. He is joined by Josip Šutalo, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Stanišić, Marin Pongračić, Luka Vušković and Ivan Smolčić, alongside newcomer Hrgović. The combination provides experience, physical strength and the possibility of using several different defensive formations.
The goalkeeping department includes Dominik Livaković, Dominik Kotarski, Karlo Letica and Ivor Pandur. All four will compete for places in the final squad, with Bilić aiming to maintain reliable options ahead of two matches against opponents capable of creating considerable attacking pressure.
Croatia's forward line also contains several familiar names. Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić and Ante Budimir bring extensive international experience, while Marco Pašalić, Igor Matanović, Petar Musa, Franjo Ivanović and Dion Drena Beljo provide additional attacking depth. Šotiček's inclusion completes a nine-player attacking group in which competition for places is likely to be particularly demanding.
England and Czech Republic Present Different Challenges
Croatia's remaining Nations League fixtures arrive after a difficult run in League A Group 3. Bilić's team have collected three points from their opening four matches, with their only victory coming against the Czech Republic in a 2–1 away win.
The other three matches ended in defeat, including losses against Spain by 4–1 and 2–1 scorelines and a heavy 7–0 setback against England. Those results have left Croatia third in the group, behind Spain and England, and highlighted areas requiring improvement before the concluding fixtures.
Spain currently lead the standings with 12 points, followed by England with nine. Croatia occupy third place with three points, while the Czech Republic remain bottom without a point. With two rounds remaining, Croatia still have an opportunity to strengthen their final position, although their results against the group's strongest opponents have demonstrated the difficulty of competing consistently at the highest level.
The trip to Wembley represents an especially demanding challenge. England's previous victory over Croatia demonstrated their attacking quality and ability to punish defensive mistakes, making tactical organisation and concentration essential for Bilić's side.
The Czech Republic encounter in Osijek offers a different test. Croatia have already defeated the Czechs away from home, but repeating that result will require another disciplined performance. Playing in front of Croatian supporters at Opus Arena could provide additional motivation, particularly as the team attempt to end the group stage with a stronger collective display.
For Bilić, the matches also offer an opportunity to evaluate his squad before future international competitions. The coach must balance the need for immediate results with the longer-term development of younger players, particularly those making their first appearances in the senior national team environment.
Croatia's Full 32-Man Preliminary Squad
The Croatian Football Federation has confirmed the following players for the November international window. The final squad will be announced on November 6, before the team begins preparations in Zagreb.
Hrvatski nogometni savez
GOALKEEPERS: Dominik Livaković, Dominik Kotarski, Karlo Letica, Ivor Pandur
DEFENDERS: Joško Gvardiol, Josip Šutalo, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Stanišić, Marin Pongračić, Luka Vušković, Ivan Smolčić, Šimun Hrgović
MIDFIELDERS: Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić, Lovro Majer, Martin Baturina, Petar Sučić, Luka Sučić, Kristijan Jakić, Toni Fruk, Josip Mišić
FORWARDS: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, Marco Pašalić, Igor Matanović, Petar Musa, Franjo Ivanović, Dion Drena Beljo, Marin Šotiček
Important Decisions Await Bilić
The expanded squad highlights both the strengths and the challenges facing the Croatian national team. Bilić can rely on internationally established players with experience at the highest level, but he must also determine how best to introduce younger footballers into a squad that continues to evolve.
The competition for places is particularly strong in midfield and attack, where several players offer similar qualities but different tactical possibilities. The final selection could therefore provide a clearer indication of Bilić's preferred approach for the closing matches of the Nations League campaign.
The inclusion of Hrgović and Šotiček is especially encouraging for Croatian youth football, demonstrating that strong club performances can earn recognition at senior international level. Their participation in the preliminary squad does not guarantee playing time, but the opportunity to enter the national team environment represents an important step in their development.
Croatia's immediate objective will be to deliver more competitive performances against England and the Czech Republic after a challenging start to the group stage. Greater defensive stability, improved attacking efficiency and stronger collective organisation will all be important as Bilić attempts to guide his team towards a positive conclusion.
The national team will assemble in Zagreb on November 9 before travelling to London two days later. Following the England encounter at Wembley on November 12, Croatia will return to Osijek for their final group match against the Czech Republic on November 15.
For Slaven Bilić, the upcoming international window represents more than an opportunity to collect Nations League points. It is another important stage in shaping Croatia's future, balancing experienced internationals with emerging talent and developing a team capable of competing against Europe's strongest national sides.
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