Barcelona attacking midfielder Ivan Rakitić has opined that Croatia were handed a dangerous group at the 2018 World Cup, a group that also contains two-time world champions Argentina, three-time African champions Nigeria and one of the dark horses of European football Iceland.

With several stars in the ranks of Croatia like Danijel Subašić (Monaco), šime Vrsaljko (Atlético Madrid), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Ivan Perišić (Inter Milan) and influential skipper Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Rakitić is confident that Croatia will advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup.

''I hope very well. I think we've been in the strongest group of all,'' Rakitić told Marca.

''Croatia has never had so many players in so many important teams, playing and setting the pace. If we get out of our group, I think everything is possible. ''

Ivan Rakitić is one of the first names on Barcelona's teamsheet and has been involved in every single game played by the club in La Liga this season.

Nigeria and Croatia will meet in their World Cup opener at Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad on June 16.

Igho Kingsley