STWF Sports | FRISCO, Texas | May 21, 2026— For a professional soccer player, moving away from the European spotlight can sometimes feel like a gamble for one’s international career. FC Dallas striker Petar Musa openly admitted to that reality on Thursday, reflecting on a period where he felt “far from the eyes” of selectors back home.

However, top-tier production has a way of commanding attention.

Following a spectacular domestic campaign under head coach Eric Quill, Musa met with the media at Toyota Stadium to discuss his official selection to the Croatia Men’s National Team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement marks a historic watershed moment for the Frisco-based franchise; with winger Don Deedson Louicius also earning a call-up for Haiti, FC Dallas will have two active roster players simultaneously represented at a World Cup for the first time in club history.

Overcoming the European Exile

The Rise of Petar Musa in American Soccer

Musa’s inclusion on Zlatko Dalić’s final 26-man roster is a testament to the forward’s relentless work ethic and mental resilience. After leaving Portuguese giants Benfica to sign a club-record Designated Player deal with Dallas in 2024, the 28-year-old found himself on the international periphery, missing out on national team camps for nearly two years.

“I was not there for two years since when I left Europe,” Musa shared candidly. “I was a little bit far from the eyes, let’s say like this. But sometimes it’s like this. You just need to keep grinding, keep working hard, and perform well with the club.”

Rather than letting the perceived distance discourage him, Musa channeled it into his daily training regimen. Pulling level with club icon Kenny Cooper for third place on the franchise’s all-time scoring list, Musa’s absolute clinical execution forced the Croatian federation to take notice.

“I never put pressure on myself,” Musa said. “But this was my goal all these years. The work I was putting in every day, the discipline, and my family supporting me fully—I am very grateful. The work never stops.”

A Surreal Homecoming in Arlington

By an extraordinary stroke of theatrical luck, Musa’s international return will feature a full-circle moment that feels almost scripted. Croatia has been drawn into Group L, meaning the Vatreni will kick off their tournament on June 17 against heavyweight contenders England right in Musa’s current backyard: Dallas Stadium in Arlington.

Musa smiled when recalling an earlier prediction he made to his inner circle. “It was funny when I said I would like that one of our games would be in Dallas, and it happened,” Musa said. “First game against England, a big team, but we are not scared of no one. We know our strength and power.”

For local soccer fans, the opportunity to watch their club’s starting talisman square off against English superstars on the sport’s grandest stage adds an unprecedented layer of civic pride to the tournament.

Navigating a Grueling Group L

While the opening match against England dominates the headlines, Musa remains grounded regarding the challenges that await Croatia in the group stage, which also features tricky fixtures against Panama and Ghana.

The striker emphasized that execution in the opener will dictate their momentum. “I think we have a really hard group,” Musa concluded. “The first game will be the most important. It is important how we enter the tournament to give us confidence. We have a very good, mixed generation of young and old players, which is great for the group. We can’t wait to start.”