Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Croatia
Match Time & Date:
8 September 2025
19:45
Prediction: 2-0
Montenegro
After surviving Faroe Islands (1-0) at Torsvollur, Croatia will be looking to keep their 100% record in the 2026 World Cup qualifers intact when they face Montenegro in an ex-Yugoslav clash. AC Milan star Luka Modric is pushing for a star after coming as a substitute in the last qualifying game, while there are no fresh injury worries in the home team. Osasuna striker Ante Budimir is widely expected to lead the line for the hosts.
Robert Prosinecki’s men, on the other hand, failed to impress in a 2-0 loss to Czech Republic and with Croatia being a real force to be reckoned with at home, there is a big value in betting on Zlatko Dalic’s troops. FC Astana forward Driton Camaj is widely expected to return to the Montenegro starting XI. It has to be noted that the two teams meet for the first time in a competitive match.
Highlighted Player (Mateo Kovacic):
Born to Croatian parents in Linz, Austria, Mateo Kovacic spent seven years in the LASK Linz youth academy before joining Dinamo Zagreb, where he showed a great deal of potential shortly after being promoted to the senior squad.
The good return of 7 goals in 43 league appearances saw him secure a high-profile move to Inter Milan, where he acted as both holding midfielder and attacking midfielder, during the three years at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. And despite not exactly impressing in Italy, Kovacic was purchased by mighty Real Madrid, where he has been ever since. The youngster is widely regarded as one of Croatia’s most talented footballers at the moment and he has represented the country on international stage since the age of 19.
In just three years he managed to make over 25 appearances for the national team, playing at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 finals for Vatreni. Kovavic has yet to be given a real chance to impress at Real Madrid, but he has entire future ahead of him.
Highlighted Team (Montenegro):
Montenegro is yet another former Yugoslavian republic. The Montenegrins declared their independence in 2006 and they played their first official match under the name of Montenegro in March, 2007. The Hrabri sokoli defeated Hungary in their first official game, with the team coming from behind to beat the Hungarians.
Serie A superstar Mirko Vucinic and Igor Burzanovic scored for Montenegro in the 2-1 triumph over Hungary. Montenegro national football team participated in the UEFA Euro 2012 playoffs and that is regarded as the team’s biggest success. The Hrabri sokoli faced Czech Republic in the double-header, but they eventually failed to book their place at the showpiece tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
Aforementioned attacker Mirko Vucinic is seen as one of the most famous footballers who played for the Montenegro national team, but we should mention former Manchester City ace Stevan Jovetic as well. Montenegro play their home games at Stadion Pod Goricom and they recorded their biggest win against San Marino (6-0) in September, 2012.
Gibraltar 
Faroe Islands 
Greece 
Denmark 
Israel 
Italy 
Kosovo 
Sweden 
Switzerland 
Slovenia 
Albania 
Latvia 
