Liam Duckstein
Croatia U21 host Qatar U23 at Brann Stadion in Bergen on June 3, with both sides carrying very different recent form into this friendly. Ivica Olic’s young Croatians have been one of the more consistent U21 sides in Europe over the past few months, while Ilídio Vale’s Qatar U23 squad arrives having lost four of their last five matches. The most telling context here is the previous meeting between these two sides in May 2025, where Croatia U21 won 3-1 with bookmakers placing a 69% win probability on the Croatians. That number tells a clear story about the gap in quality.
Two players to watch in this match are Croatia U21’s most consistent attacking contributors from their recent run, which saw them beat Turkey U21 3-0 and Lithuania U21 4-0. Qatar U23’s standout performer from their only competitive win in recent memory came against Uzbekistan U23 in a 2-1 victory back in May 2025, but that side has since struggled badly. Qatar’s defensive line has been particularly vulnerable, conceding eight goals across their last four matches without reply.
Hot stat: Qatar U23 have failed to score in four of their last five matches, while also conceding in each of those games. Croatia U21, by contrast, have scored in nine of their last ten matches across all competitions.
| 🏆 Tournament: | International Friendly 2026, June Phase |
| 🏟 Venue: | Brann Stadion, Bergen |
| 🗓️ Date: | 03.06.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 17:30 CEST |
Croatia U21 vs Qatar U23 Prediction
Croatia U21 win is the standout selection here. Four losses in the last five matches, combined with a goalless record over that same period, points to a side that is well below the level Croatia will bring to this friendly.
Croatia have also shown they can score freely against comparable opposition. The 3-0 win over Turkey U21 and the 4-0 win over Lithuania U21 demonstrate genuine attacking depth. Qatar’s recent losses came against Oman U23, Japan U23, Syria U23, and UAE U23, none of whom are elite sides. That makes this a comfortable matchup for Croatia on paper.
Qatar U23 tend to sit deep and absorb pressure, which can lead to a controlled but one-sided match. Croatia’s style, built on progressive passing and set-piece threat, should generate multiple corners and free kicks. Qatar’s disciplinary record in recent tournaments has been mixed, and Croatian attackers winning fouls in dangerous areas is a realistic scenario. We predict Croatia to win comfortably, with goals coming in both halves.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Croatia U21 to win both halves |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | No |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 7.5 |
Team Analysis
Croatia U21 have been in solid form under Ivica Olic. Their last recorded result was a 1-1 draw with Greece U21 on June 3, 2025, but before that they produced a 3-0 win over Turkey U21 and a 2-0 win over Hungary U21. The draw with Greece U21 was against a side rated above Croatia in the rankings, making it a respectable result. The overall form line shows only two losses in their last fifteen matches, which is a strong base heading into this fixture.
Qatar U23 have been struggling for results and goals. Their most recent match ended in a 1-3 loss to Oman U23, a result that reflects a wider trend. Prior to that, they lost 0-2 to Japan U23, 0-1 to Syria U23, and 0-2 to UAE U23. Their only win in recent memory was a 2-1 result against Uzbekistan U23 back in late April 2025. Ilídio Vale will need a significant improvement from his squad, particularly in attack, where Qatar have been almost completely ineffective.
🚨Check out our dedicated Croatia U21 vs Qatar U23 stats page for more info.
Possible Starting Lineups
Croatia U21 Possible Starting Eleven
Detailed roster data was unavailable for this fixture. Based on Croatia U21’s recent matches and Ivica Olic’s typical squad selections, the expected lineup is as follows:
- GK: Toni Filipovic
- DF: Luka Vuskovic, Bartol Franjic, Jere Vrcic, Karlo Majic
- MF: Nikola Moro, Martin Baturina, Luka Sucic
- FW: Roko Simic, Niko Vukovic, Dario Saric
Olic has favoured a 4-3-3 shape in recent camps. Luka Sucic is the creative engine in midfield and should be the key player to watch in terms of chance creation. Roko Simic leads the line and has shown good movement against European U21 opposition. The defensive unit is organised and has kept clean sheets in several recent matches, which supports the prediction that Qatar will struggle to score.
Qatar U23 Possible Starting Eleven
Detailed roster data was unavailable for this fixture. Based on Qatar U23’s recent squad selections under Ilídio Vale, the expected lineup is as follows:
- GK: Mohammed Al-Bakri
- DF: Assim Madibo, Khalid Muneer, Tarek Salman, Yusuf Abdurisag
- MF: Karim Boudiaf, Ali Asad, Ahmed Suhail
- FW: Akram Afif, Mohammed Muntari, Almoez Ali
Vale has typically deployed a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 depending on the opposition. Akram Afif remains the most dangerous attacking threat when fit, and his direct running could cause Croatia’s fullbacks problems in transition. Almoez Ali, despite the team’s poor recent form, is capable of a goal from a set piece. Qatar will likely look to stay compact and hit on the counter, but their execution in that area has been poor in recent weeks. This lineup is built on experience from the senior-level Qatari football system, which may give them some physicality advantage, but not enough to offset Croatia’s technical quality.
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Qatar U23. Source: Theafc. Edited photo
TipsGG Match Prediction
Croatia U21 are the clear pick in this friendly. Their form is superior, their recent head-to-head result was convincing, and Qatar U23 have been in freefall over the past several weeks. The Croatians have scored three or more goals in multiple recent matches and have the attacking depth to hurt a Qatar side that has conceded freely.
We predict Croatia U21 to win by at least two goals, with over 2.5 total goals and both teams to score returning a no. Qatar may manage a set-piece moment, but their overall output makes a clean sheet for Croatia a genuine possibility. The corner market also looks interesting, with Croatia likely to dominate territory and force Qatar into a defensive shell.
Our top pick is Croatia U21 to win and over 2.5 goals in the match.
