Josip Šutalo is a 26-year-old Croatian centre-back who plays for Ajax. The right-footed defender remains part of the Croatia player pool before World Cup 2026. This article covers his age, nationality, position, current club, salary, net worth, career stats, and international outlook.
Josip Šutalo matters to Croatia because he is a disciplined defender who covers space, wins duels, and lets Croatia keep pressure high without losing protection. Readers tracking FIFA World Cup 2026 can judge his role through club rhythm, international caps, and tactical fit. His squad case also connects to Group L, where balance and match discipline will shape Croatia's route.
Quick Answer
Josip Šutalo is an Croatian professional footballer from Čapljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He plays as a centre-back for Ajax and wears number 24. Josip Šutalo has 24 senior caps and 0 international goals for Croatia. His profile is built around a disciplined defender who covers space, wins duels, and lets Croatia keep pressure high without losing protection.
Early Life and Background
Josip Šutalo was born on 28 February 2000 in Čapljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. His route into senior football came through club development, where technical detail and competitive standards are central. That base helped him move from Croatian football into a larger international conversation.
Croatia's player pool is deep, so every squad place demands more than reputation. Josip Šutalo built his case by turning training standards into first-team trust. His career now shows how club consistency can support a World Cup role.
Birthplace, family, and youth football journey
Public coverage of Josip Šutalo's background focuses mainly on football development. His professional identity comes from club progress, national-team call-ups, and the ability to handle stronger opponents. That route fits a player whose value is measured through role clarity rather than off-field attention.
Senior experience across Dinamo Zagreb, Ajax shaped his development path. His early years gave him the technical habits needed for elite football. As a result, his current profile reflects both Croatian grounding and international ambition.
Josip Šutalo Personal Info and Profile
| Full name | Josip Šutalo |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 28 February 2000 |
| Age | 26 |
| Nationality | Croatia |
| Height | 1.90 m |
| Weight | 82 kg |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Current club | Ajax |
| Jersey number | 24 |
| Weekly salary | Approx EUR35,000 per week |
| Estimated net worth | Approx $5 million to $10 million |
The profile data places Josip Šutalo in a clear senior squad role. His height, position, preferred foot, and club level explain why he fits the current national-team pool. Those details matter because World Cup selection rewards role fit as much as reputation.
His current club work gives selectors a weekly view of rhythm and readiness. Croatia need players who can translate league habits into short tournament windows. Josip Šutalo's value sits in that bridge between domestic performance and international trust.
Transfer News and Market Value
Josip Šutalo's market value is around EUR12 million in the current public range. That figure reflects age, contract stage, position, club level, and recent national-team involvement. Market value should be read as a football valuation, not a prediction of an immediate transfer.
Transfer attention around Josip Šutalo depends on minutes, role stability, and tournament exposure. A strong World Cup preparation run can lift interest because scouts trust players who perform under national pressure. Still, his immediate priority is protecting club form before the final squad decision.
Ajax remains the key reference point for his short-term football path. The club role gives him the match rhythm needed to stay visible. That is especially important when Croatia compare players with similar profiles.
Josip Šutalo Salary and Net Worth
Josip Šutalo's estimated annual salary is Approx EUR1.82 million per year. That equals about Approx EUR35,000 per week before bonuses, image income, and private commercial details. The figure gives a contract-level view rather than a full career wealth calculation.
His estimated net worth is Approx $5 million to $10 million in 2026. That range reflects club contracts, senior-team bonuses, domestic football earnings, and likely personal sponsorship income. Salary and net worth stay separate because one measures current pay while the other reflects career value.
A stable club role can protect both income and football visibility. Tournament selection can also increase commercial value, especially for players in a high-profile World Cup group. Josip Šutalo's financial profile should be judged through that wider career lens.
Josip Šutalo Club Career
Josip Šutalo's senior club record covers Dinamo Zagreb, Ajax. That run shows a player who has stayed inside competitive football while fighting for national-team relevance. Club continuity matters because the World Cup window leaves little time for players to recover form.
His club career also explains his tactical identity. Training across club football exposes players to different pressing speeds, defensive demands, and decision-making patterns. Those habits can help Croatia build a more flexible tournament squad.
Early clubs and development
Josip Šutalo's first senior steps gave him the rhythm needed to handle bigger dressing rooms. His early club environment taught him how to manage pressure from teammates, supporters, and coaches. That experience supports a player moving toward high-stakes international matches.
Development was not only about minutes. It also involved tactical learning, physical growth, and the discipline to keep a role inside demanding squads. Those traits remain central to his World Cup 2026 case.
Current club and recent form
Josip Šutalo currently plays for Ajax. His recent form should be judged through minutes, role stability, and how well his skill set matches national-team needs. A player can strengthen selection hopes by staying fit, sharp, and tactically reliable.
Croatia's staff will need clear evidence before final squad registration. Josip Šutalo can help his case by showing consistency in league matches and training camps. That combination often matters more than one isolated highlight.
Josip Šutalo - Stats and Performance
Senior Club Record
| Season | Club | League Apps | Goals | Total Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior | Dinamo Zagreb | 74 | 4 | 74 |
| Senior | Ajax | 75 | 3 | 75 |
Career Totals Snapshot
| Career area | Appearances | Goals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior club record | 149 | 7 | League appearances and goals across listed senior clubs |
| Croatia | 24 | 0 | Senior international record |
The club record separates senior league numbers from full reputation. That matters because World Cup squads are usually decided by fresh rhythm and tactical reliability. Josip Šutalo's numbers show how his club role supports his Croatia case.
International Career
Josip Šutalo has 24 senior caps and 0 international goals. His national-team role has developed through qualification, friendlies, and squad camps. Croatia need that depth because the 2026 tournament format increases squad management pressure.
Croatia's staff will judge him through form, position fit, and tactical reliability. Players who can understand compact defending and quick transitions have extra value in difficult groups. Josip Šutalo's profile gives the staff another option in that preparation window.
Caps, goals, and major tournaments
His international record shows how often he has been trusted at senior level. Caps alone do not guarantee selection, yet they show familiarity with national-team demands. That familiarity can matter when preparation time is short.
| National team | Caps | Goals | Tournament involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia | 24 | 0 | World Cup qualification, UEFA Nations League, senior friendlies |
World Cup Record by Tournament
| Year | Host | Matches | Goals | Assists | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Qatar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3rd Place |
| 2026 | USA / Canada / Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | World Cup squad candidate |
| Total | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
Honours and Trophies
| Trophy | Times Won | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Croatian First Football League | 4 | 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 |
| Croatian Cup | 1 | 2020-21 |
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Josip Šutalo's playing style is defined by a disciplined defender who covers space, wins duels, and lets Croatia keep pressure high without losing protection. That skill set gives Croatia a specific tool rather than a generic squad number. Tournament football rewards players who understand their role quickly and repeat it under pressure.
His key strengths are role discipline, competitive toughness, and the ability to fit a team shape. Croatia often need players who can defend space first, then move forward at the right moment. Josip Šutalo fits that demand when his club form keeps him sharp.
Position, role, and standout qualities
Josip Šutalo plays as a centre-back, but the exact role depends on the match plan. He can help the team by keeping distances tight and making simple decisions under pressure. His standout qualities connect directly to Croatia's need for structure in 2026.
The next test is consistency. A World Cup squad spot depends on fitness, match rhythm, and the final coach's tactical preference. Josip Šutalo has enough profile value to stay in that conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Josip Šutalo and what is his nationality?
Josip Šutalo is 26 years old and Croatian. He was born in Čapljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina on 28 February 2000.
Which club does Josip Šutalo play for?
Josip Šutalo plays for Ajax. His Croatia squad position is Centre-back.
What is Josip Šutalo's playing style?
Josip Šutalo is a disciplined defender who covers space, wins duels, and lets Croatia keep pressure high without losing protection. That role helps Croatia manage pressure in Group L.
Is Josip Šutalo part of Croatia national team?
Josip Šutalo remains part of Croatia's senior picture with 24 caps and 0 goals.
What is Josip Šutalo's salary or net worth?
Josip Šutalo's estimated weekly salary is Approx EUR35,000 per week. His estimated net worth is Approx $5 million to $10 million.
Conclusion
Josip Šutalo gives Croatia a clear defender option before World Cup 2026. His club role, senior caps, and tactical fit keep him relevant in a competitive squad. The final decision will depend on fitness, form, and how the coach balances experience with freshness.
Croatia need reliable players who can handle Group L pressure. Josip Šutalo can help if his club rhythm stays strong. His profile is strongest when role clarity, fitness, and match discipline all arrive together.