Croatia Seeks World Cup Berth, Faroe Islands Aim for Shock Win

On November 14, 2025, Croatia will host the Faroe Islands in a crucial World Cup qualifying match. Croatia, who have won five and drawn one of their six games so far, are on the verge of securing their spot at the 2026 World Cup. With 20 goals scored and just one conceded, the home side simply needs to avoid defeat to reach the tournament for the seventh time in their history.

Despite their status as heavy favorites, Croatia's coach Zlatko Dalić will not underestimate the minnows from the Faroe Islands. The Nordic islanders, with a population of just under 55,000, have defied expectations in Group L, currently sitting third in the standings. Their recent 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic has kept their slim hopes of reaching the playoffs alive. To achieve this, they will need to pull off a shock win against Croatia and hope that winless Gibraltar can beat the Czech Republic.

The Faroe Islands, ranked 136th in the world, have delivered a string of remarkable performances in the qualifying campaign, proving they are no longer the whipping boys they were expected to be. This Friday's match presents them with a chance to further cement their status as the surprise package of the group.