Croatian international striker Petar Musa is leveraging a prolific scoring run with FC Dallas to secure a place on Croatia's 2026 World Cup roster.
Musa's performance in Major League Soccer is critical as he seeks to prove his fitness and form to national team selectors. With the tournament target date of June 17, 2026 [2], the striker is using high-profile matches in the U.S. to maintain his international profile.
During the 2025 season, Musa established himself as a primary offensive threat for the Texas-based club. He recorded a hat-trick during a 3-3 tie against San Diego FC [7], marking both his second career hat-trick and his second multi-goal game of that season [8].
His impact extended to critical match moments, including the Texas Derby. Musa scored the winning goal in the 86th minute [5] to secure a victory for FC Dallas. He also contributed to a 1-1 draw against St. Louis City on Sept. 6, 2025 [3], a match in which teammate Jacob Jackson recorded 13 saves [4].
The striker's ability to find the net has remained consistent across different phases of competition. To open the 2026 season, Musa scored a brace with goals coming in the ninth and 74th minutes [6].
This club success follows his previous international experience, which includes scoring his first international goal during a 3-1 victory over the Faroe Islands [1]. By delivering consistent results in Frisco, Texas, Musa is positioning himself as a viable option for the Croatian front line during the upcoming global tournament.
“Petar Musa is leveraging a prolific scoring run with FC Dallas to secure a place on Croatia's 2026 World Cup roster.”
Musa's transition to a dominant role in MLS provides him with the consistent playing time and statistical output necessary to challenge established starters on the Croatian national team. For FC Dallas, his ability to score in clutch moments, specifically in derby matches, transforms him from a tactical asset into a franchise centerpiece ahead of the 2026 international window.
