Preview: Faroe Islands vs Croatia – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

Croatia will aim to maintain their perfect record in Group L of the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers when they take on Faroe Islands on Friday night.

The away side have won each of their first two qualifying games, while the hosts have won one and lost two of their three fixtures.

Match preview

Faroe Islands have never qualified for either the FIFA World Cup or UEFA European Championship, and they are on course to fail to qualify once again for the 2026 World Cup tournament. 

Friday’s hosts lost both of their opening two qualifiers in Group L, defeating 2-1 by Czech Republic and 1-0 by Montenegro, though they did secure a win on matchday three. 

Faroe Islands managed to come from 1-0 behind to secure a 2-1 win over Gibraltar, with goals from Arni Frederiksberg in the 71st minute and Patrik Johannesen in the 86th minute. 

Those results leave Faroe Islands sitting fourth in Group L with three points after three matches played, meaning they trail the top two by three points.

Manager Eydun Klakstein will be hoping his side can build on their most recent victory when they take on Croatia, as a surprise win would lift them to joint level on points with the current second-placed visitors.

However, Croatia are undoubtedly the favourites heading into the encounter, with the visitors widely expected to finish top of the group. 

Zlatko Dalic, in charge since October 2017, has led his team to two wins from their first two group games, smashing both Gibraltar (7-0) and Czech Republic (5-1). 

That leaves Croatia sitting second in the standings with a flawless six points from two games, while they trail first-placed Czech Republic by three points – though Dalic’s side have played two games fewer than the leaders.

Now looking to maintain their perfect qualifying record and move closer to qualifying for their fourth consecutive World Cup tournament.

Faroe Islands World Cup Qualifying – Europe form:

Faroe Islands form (all competitions):

Croatia World Cup Qualifying – Europe form:

Croatia form (all competitions):

Team News

Faroe Islands secured their only victory in Group L thus far in their most recent clash with Gibraltar, and Klakstein could name a similar side as a result in this one. 

Johannesen, who scored the winning goal in that match, could be awarded a start against Croatia, while Frederiksberg and Adrian Justinussen should retain their places in attack.

As for Croatia, Andrej Kramaric leads the goalscoring charts for the side in their Group L matches with four goals, and the forward is expected to start just behind striker Ante Budimir in this one. 

In midfield, the legendary Luka Modric should start alongside Petar Sucic, while a central defensive partnership of Duje Caleta-Car and Marin Pongracic is expected.

Faroe Islands possible starting lineup:

Reynatrod; Faero, Vatnhamar, Edmundsson; Danielsen, Benjaminsen, Olsen, Davidsen; Frederiksberg, Johannesen, Justinussen

Croatia possible starting lineup:

Livakovic; Smolcic, Pongracic, Caleta-Car, Sosa; Modric, Sucic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic; Budimir

We say: Faroe Islands 0-4 Croatia

Croatia have dominated both of their first two World Cup qualifying matches, and a similar performance and result is expected against Faroe Islands on Friday.

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