{
  "id": 5803083,
  "title": "Modric available for Croatia in Nations League",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/modric-available-for-croatia-in-nations-league",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-05T17:40:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/modric-available-croatia-nations-league-174044790.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Veteran Croatian midfielder Luka Modric will be available for the national team in upcoming Nations League matches, the Croatian Football Federation announced on Saturday. Modric, who turns 41 on Wednesday, is the key architect behind Croatia's recent sporting successes and has made 202 appearances for the national team. The seasoned player confirmed to coach Slaven Bilic and HNS head Marijan Kustic that he remains committed to the team. Bilic expressed his delight at Modric's decision, highlighting his significance to Croatia both on and off the pitch. Modric led Croatia to a second-place finish in the 2018 World Cup and a third-place position in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The veteran midfielder's contributions have been instrumental in Croatia's triumphs, including their runner-up finish in the 2018 World Cup. Croatia's next Nations League match against the Czech Republic is scheduled for September 26 in Prague, followed by a three-day encounter against Spain in Seville. England will also be part of Croatia's group.",
  "summary": "Croatia's veteran midfield maestro and captain Luka Modric will stay with the squad in the forthcoming Nations League matches, the national football federation said on Saturday.The key architect of Croatia's historic success in recent years, who turns 41 on Wednesday, will figure in the squad that coach Slaven Bilic will announce on Monday for the Nations League matches, a Croatian football…",
  "key_points": [
    "Luka Modric available for Croatia in Nations League matches.",
    "Veteran midfielder turns 41 on Wednesday.",
    "Modric key architect behind Croatia's recent successes."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Modric plans to play for Croatia past 41st birthday",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/modric-plans-to-play-for-croatia-past-41st-birthday",
        "published": "2026-09-05T13:45:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}