FC Dallas forward Petar Musa has been named to Croatia's 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup [1].
His selection highlights the growing influence of Major League Soccer players on the international stage. Musa enters the tournament as one of the most potent goalscorers currently playing in the U.S. league, positioning him as a key offensive asset for the Croatian national team [2].
Musa is one of only two MLS players selected for the Croatian squad [2]. He joins Marco Pasalic in representing the league as Croatia seeks to build upon its recent success on the world stage. The team is coming off a strong performance in the 2022 World Cup, where they finished in third place [1].
The inclusion of Musa reflects a strategic need for clinical finishing in the Croatian attack. As a weapon for FC Dallas, Musa has demonstrated the ability to score consistently against high-level opposition, a trait essential for the knockout stages of the tournament.
Croatia's roster depth will be tested as they compete against the world's top nations. The 26-man limit requires a balance of versatile midfielders and reliable strikers [1]. Musa's form in the U.S. has convinced the coaching staff that he is the right fit for this specific cycle.
While many European-based players typically dominate national team selections, the presence of two MLS players suggests a shift in how Croatian scouts view the quality of play in North America. This selection provides Musa with a global platform to showcase his scoring ability beyond the domestic league.
“Petar Musa has been named to Croatia's 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup”
The selection of Petar Musa and Marco Pasalic underscores a trend of national teams increasingly looking toward Major League Soccer for top-tier talent. For Croatia, integrating a high-volume scorer from the U.S. league provides a tactical alternative to their traditional European-based forwards, potentially diversifying their offensive approach as they attempt to improve upon their third-place finish from four years ago.
