By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Mario Hezonja was called up by the Croatian Basketball Federation to represent his country in the upcoming FIBA window, dedicated to the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers.
Croatia advanced through the second round of the Pre-Qualifiers to join Europe’s Group E, alongside Cyprus, Israel, and Germany.
Opening the six-game schedule, the team coached by Tomislav Mijatovic welcomes Cyprus in Osijek next Friday and faces Israel in Riga three days later. Meanwhile, 30-year-old Hezonja is expected to also suit for Real Madrid in Round 13 of the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season, opposite Hapoel Tel Aviv in Bulgaria’s Arena Botevgrad on Tuesday.
Izbornik Tomislav Mijatović je objavio popis reprezentativaca koji će krenuti u borbu za Svjetsko prvenstvo! 🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷
Idemooooo!
Sve info + 🎤 izjava izbornika na https://t.co/ZSbbyDDZk7🎟 ulaznice na Core Eventu#StepItUpCroatia #iznadsvihHrvatska pic.twitter.com/EMxLlGKehF
— HKS_CBF 🇭🇷🏀 (@CbfHks) November 21, 2025
Croatia’s roster
- Roko Badzim (Yukatel Merkezefendi)
- Luka Bozic (Coviran Granada)
- Danko Brankovic (Rio Breogan)
- Mateo Dreznjak (SC Derby)
- Goran Filipovic (Movistar Estudiantes)
- Mario Hezonja (Real Madrid)
- Mate Kalajzic (Zabok)
- Dominik Mavra (Rio Breogan)
- Toni Nakic (UCAM Murcia)
- Roko Prkacin (Nanterre 92)
- Kresimir Radovcic (Cibona)
- Michael Ruzic (Joventut Badalona)
- Jaleen Smith (Turk Telekom)
- David Skara (Cedevita Olimpija)
Besides the only EuroLeague player, the remaining selections are set to gather in Zagreb on Monday.
“Our next two opponents require maximum attention and preparation from the coaching staff and the players,” noted 49-year-old Mijatovic. “Our approach remains the same, step by step, practice by practice, and game by game. Perhaps it sounds boring, but it is the only correct way.”
“Our goal is to cheer up the fans and supporters of Croatian basketball and take another step toward qualifying for the World Cup,” he added.
At the end of a six-game schedule, the top three seeds of Group E will advance and carry their respective W-L tallies to Group K. In a new six-game schedule opposite the top three of Group F’s Austria, Latvia, Netherlands, and Poland, three tickets to the World Cup will be decided.