"I played well at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 UEFA European Championship. Every such tournament is an invaluable experience, because you get to play against the best players. But now... it is important to show a high level at the current World Cup," the 29-year-old told journalists.

Perisic played three games and scored two goals for Croatia at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He also played four games and scored twice at UEFA Euro 2016 in France.

Croatia will face two-time World Cup winners Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria in Group D. They will start their 2018 World Cup campaign with the match against Nigeria in Kaliningrad on June 16.