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Croatia
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Vatreni (Blazers)
Kockasti (Checkered Ones)
AssociationCroatian Football Federation (HNS)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachZlatko Dalić
CaptainLuka Modrić
Most capsLuka Modrić (183)
Top scorerDavor Šuker (45)
FIFA codeCRO
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 12 Steady (24 October 2024)[1]
Highest3 (July 1998)
Lowest125 (March 1994)
First international
 Croatia 4–0 Switzerland 
(Zagreb, Yugoslavia; 2 April 1940)
Biggest win
 Croatia 10–0 San Marino 
(Rijeka, Croatia; 4 June 2016)
Biggest defeat
 Spain 6–0 Croatia 
(Elche, Spain; 11 September 2018)
World Cup
Appearances6 (first in 1998)
Best resultRunners-up (2018)
European Championship
Appearances7 (first in 1996)
Best resultQuarter-finals (1996, 2008)
Nations League Finals
Appearances1 (first in 2023)
Best resultRunners-up (2023)
Websitewww.hns-cff.hr Edit this at Wikidata

The Croatia national football team (Croatian: Hrvatska nogometna reprezentacija) represents Croatia in international football matches. It is governed by the Croatian Football Federation (HNS), the governing body for football in Croatia. It is a member of UEFA in Europe and FIFA in global competitions. The team's colours reference two national symbols: the Croatian checkerboard and the country's tricolour. They are colloquially referred to as the Vatreni (Blazers) and Kockasti (Checkered Ones).

Since 1994, the Vatreni have qualified for every major tournament with the exception of UEFA Euro 2000 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. At the World Cup, Croatia has finished second once (2018) and third on two occasions (1998, 2022), securing three World Cup medals. Davor Šuker won the Golden Shoe and the Silver Ball in 1998, while Luka Modrić won the Golden Ball in 2018 and the Bronze Ball in 2022. The team has reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA European Championship twice (1996, 2008). They finished second in the UEFA Nations League in 2023.

Upon its admission into FIFA in 1994 ranked 125th, they ascended to third place with their debut 1998 World Cup campaign. This marked the fastest, most volatile ascension in FIFA ranking history, making them the youngest team to ever reach a Top 10 place in the World Ranking. Croatia is the second-smallest country by population (after Uruguay) and land mass (after the Netherlands) to reach a World Cup final. At the World Cup, Croatia hold records for most penalty shoot-out played (4) and won (4) and most penalties saved in a shoot-out (3), among other team records. They were named FIFA Best Mover of the Year in 1994 and 1998, thus becoming the first national team to win the award twice and also equalling joint records with France and Colombia.

History

[edit]

Official formation

[edit]

The early history of Croatian football was delineated by a variety of unofficial sides as Croatia was not an independent entity until the late 20th century.[3][4] Hugo Kinert first managed an unofficial side that played some international matches in 1918–19.[5] In 1940, Jozo Jakopić led the national side representing the Yugoslav Banovina of Croatia in four friendly matches.[6] Croatia's first official international match was a 4–0 win over Switzerland in their capital city, Zagreb, on 2 April 1940.[7] Following the 1941 Axis invasion of Yugoslavia, Germany and Italy took control of Croatia, forming the Independent State of Croatia and installing Rudolf Hitrec as an unofficial manager for two years.[8] The side played 15 friendly matches from its re-activation in FIFA in 1941 until the end of World War II.[9][10] In 1945, Croatia returned to Yugoslavia as the People's Republic of Croatia with sides active until 1956.[9][6] During the nation's pre-independence, Croat footballers played for Yugoslavia at the Summer Olympics,[11] the FIFA World Cup,[12] and the UEFA European Championship from 1956 to 1990.[13][14]

Croatia debuted their modern checkered jersey against the United States on 17 October 1990, winning 2–1.[15][16] Caretaker manager Dražan Jerković, led the de facto national side before their formal re-admission into FIFA on 3 July 1992,[17] winning two more friendly games against Romania in December 1990 and Slovenia in June 1991.[18][19] Stanko Poklepović took over team management and led them on an exhibition tour against Australia, before he was succeeded by Vlatko Marković in April 1993.[20] Croatia gained admission into UEFA in June 1993, three months after qualification for the 1994 World Cup started, missing their window to enter the competition.[21] After winning a match against Ukraine in June 1993, Marković was succeeded by Miroslav Blažević in March 1994.[22]

Blažević period (1994–1999)

[edit]
Croatia's third-place certificate and bronze medal for the 1998 World Cup

After its independence from Yugoslavia, the newly formed Croatia entered the FIFA World Rankings in 125th place in March 1994.[23][24] Blažević launched Croatia's qualifying campaign for Euro 1996 with a 2–0 win over Estonia on 4 September 1994 and a 1–0 away loss to Ukraine on 1 June 1995, their first competitive win and loss.[6] After finishing first in qualifying, the team halved their spot in the World Ranking, ascending to number 62, winning FIFA's 1994 Best Mover of the Year in December 1994.[25][26] In the group stage of Euro 1996, Goran Vlaović scored the team's first goal at a tournament, a late strike to win 1–0 against Turkey.[27] Croatia then beat reigning champions Denmark 3–0,[28] later losing to Portugal by the same scoreline.[29] The team advanced to the knockout stage and were beaten in the quarter-finals 1–2 by Germany.[30] Croatia's qualifying campaign from 1998 to 1999 for Euro 2000 was unsuccessful as they finished third in their group behind FR Yugoslavia and the Republic of Ireland.[31] Both fixtures against Yugoslavia ended in draws which prevented Croatia from qualifying by one point.[32]

Croatia began their qualification campaign for the 1998 World Cup with an aggregate victory against Ukraine in the two-legged playoff. In the group stage, Croatia beat both Jamaica and Japan, later losing to Argentina to advance with them to the knockout stage. A 1–0 victory over Romania moved the Croatians to the quarter-finals against Germany.[33] Croatia beat the Germans 3–0 with goals from Robert Jarni, Goran Vlaović and Davor Šuker, all after Christian Wörns had been sent off.[34] They advanced to their first semi-finals against the hosts France.[35] After a goalless first-half, Croatia led after Aljoša Asanović pushed past Zinedine Zidane to cross a ball downfield to Šuker who scored after a one-on-one with goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.[36] France's defender Lilian Thuram equalized quickly after, and scored another goal later in the game to beat Croatia 2–1.[37] In the third place playoff, Croatia prevailed against the Netherlands 2–1 to secure bronze and claim their first World Cup medal.[21] Šuker won the Golden Shoe for scoring the most goals in the World Cup: six goals in seven games.[38] The Croatians' performance during the late-1990s propelled them to rank third place in the FIFA World Ranking in January 1999.[24][13] The team of the 1990s was dubbed the "golden generation"[a] for their contributions to Croatia's ascension in international football.[39][40]

Jozić, Barić and Kranjčar period (2000–2006)

[edit]
Fans during Euro 2004 in Portugal

Croatia started their qualifying campaign for the 2002 World Cup with draws against Belgium and Scotland prompting Blažević's resignation as head coach in October 2000.[41] His successor, Mirko Jozić, pushed the team through the rest of qualifiers undefeated. In the group stage, Croatia narrowly lost to Mexico before beating Italy 2–1 and sustaining a 1–0 loss to Ecuador.[42][43] The team was eliminated by one point,[44] leading to the resignation of Jozić and succession of Otto Barić in July 2002, their first manager born outside of Southeastern Europe.[45] During Barić's tenure, most of the remaining players from the "golden generation" squad were gradually replaced by younger players over the course of qualifying for Euro 2004.[46] Croatia qualified in a playoff victory against Slovenia, winning 2–1 on aggregate after Dado Pršo's decisive late goal in the second leg.[47] The team was eliminated at the group stage after drawing 0–0 with Switzerland and 2–2 with France, and losing 2–4 to England.[48][49] Barić departed after his two-year contract expired in June 2004.[50] Prior to launching the team's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, Zlatko Kranjčar succeed Barić in July 2004.[51] Croatia qualified undefeated, topping the group ahead of Sweden and Bulgaria.[52][53] In the group stage, Croatia lost their opening game to Brazil and drew 0–0 with Japan after Darijo Srna missed a first-half penalty.[54][55] A 2–2 draw with Australia in which three players were sent off confirmed Croatia's elimination.[56]

Bilić period (2006–2012)

[edit]
Croatia vs. Brazil at the 2006 World Cup

In July 2006, prior to Euro 2008, Kranjčar was replaced with Slaven Bilić, who introduced newer, younger players to the squad and finished qualifying undefeated.[57][58] His first game was a 2–0 victory against reigning world champions Italy during an international friendly.[59][60] Croatia lost once to Macedonia and beat England twice, who as a result failed to qualify for the first time since 1984.[61][62] Eduardo da Silva, the team's top goalscorer during qualifying, sustained an injury while playing for his club, Arsenal, leading to a shake-up in the finals squad with less experienced players.[63][64] Croatia finished group stage undefeated with a 1–0 win over co-hosts Austria, 2–1 win over Germany, and 1–0 win over Poland.[65] The team collected the maximum group stage points possible (9) for the first time in their Euros history.[66][67][68] Niko Kovač and Dario Šimić held captaincy during the group and knockout stages, respectively.[69][70] Croatia pushed Turkey to a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals in which the Turkish side prevailed in an upset win where Luka Modrić, Mladen Petrić and Ivan Rakitić all missed their penalties.[71][72] Croatia set multiple Euro records: fewest goals conceded (2), fewest games lost (0),[b] and earliest goal scored.[73][74][75]

Bilić renewed his contract in April 2008,[76] before the qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup. Croatia won 3–0 against Kazakhstan, before taking a 4–1 loss to England at Stadion Maksimir, their first home loss in 14 years.[77][78][79] The team drew 0–0 with Ukraine and beat Andorra twice, drawing again with Ukraine and beating Belarus twice. In the final stretch of the qualifiers, England delivered Croatia's then-heaviest loss, a 5–1 scoreline, at Wembley Stadium.[80] The team had a number of players' injuries during qualifying and were ultimately eliminated, on points, as Ukraine defeated both England and Andorra to advance in the group.[81]

Croatia was a candidate to co-host Euro 2012 with Hungary which would have resulted in automatic qualification for both countries; UEFA ultimately selected Poland and Ukraine.[82] The Croatians began their qualifying campaign for Euro 2012 with a 3–0 win over Latvia, a goalless draw with Greece, and a 2–1 win against Israel. In the qualifying playoff against Turkey, the team won 3–0 on aggregate.[83] They were grouped with the Republic of Ireland, Italy and defending champions Spain, opening with a 3–1 victory over the Irish.[84] Croatia drew with Italy 1–1 in a match marred by disruptive fans and controversial refereeing from English official Howard Webb.[85] The side was knocked out by Spain in a 0–1 loss, which, along with 1–1 rematch with Italy, had Croatia eliminated.[85] Bilić retired before Euro 2012, with the Croatians continuously ranked among the top ten teams in the world during his tenure – 2007 to 2012.[86][87][88]

Štimac, Kovač and Čačić period (2012–2017)

[edit]
Croatia vs. Brazil at 2014 World Cup

Succeeding Bilić, former player Igor Štimac was appointed manager while Davor Šuker assumed the presidency of the Croatian Football Federation in 2012 after the death of Vlatko Marković.[89][90] A year in, Štimac was replaced by former captain Niko Kovač.[91] Kovač led the team to a 2–0 aggregate victory over Iceland in the qualifying playoffs for the 2014 World Cup with both goals coming in the home leg in Zagreb.[92] In the group stage, Croatia opened their campaign with a 3–1 loss to Brazil. The match garnered media attention for controversial refereeing from Yuichi Nishimura which was scrutinized for a number of decisions.[93][94] In their second match, Croatia won 4–0 against Cameroon then lost 3–1 to Mexico, finishing third in the group and missing the knockout stage.[95][96][97]

Croatia vs. Portugal at Euro 2016

During the qualifying campaign of Euro 2016, Croatia drew with Azerbaijan and lost to Norway,[98] leading to Kovač's replacement with Ante Čačić.[99][100] The team broke their record for most goals scored in a match with a friendly 10–0 win over San Marino in June 2016.[101] They topped the group stage of that year's Euros, advancing with defending champions Spain.[102][103] Croatia prevailed over Turkey 1–0 with a long-range volley goal from Luka Modrić,[104] before drawing 2–2 draw against the Czech Republic.[105] In the latter match, Croatia led with goals from Ivan Perišić and Ivan Rakitić, while opposing Czech striker Milan Škoda and a last-minute penalty from Tomáš Necid drew the match.[106] There was severe crowd trouble[106] and on-field flares in the game's last minutes with a steward injured by a stray firework.[107] Croatia then overtook Spain 2–1, confirming the Spaniards' first defeat at a Euro finals match since 2004.[108][109] The Croatians were tipped as one of the tournament favourites[110][111] as they entered the knockout stage with Portugal.[112] The Portuguese prevailed 1–0 with Ricardo Quaresma's winning goal in the 117th minute after Perišić hit the post with a header in the previous attack.[113][114] Following the campaign, Darijo Srna announced his retirement and the succession of Modrić as team captain in August 2016.[115][116]

Dalić period (since 2017)

[edit]
The team arrival in Zagreb after their 2018 World Cup campaign

Croatia qualified for the 2018 World Cup undefeated for their first five matches.[117] Two defeats to Iceland and Turkey, as well as a draw against Finland, led to a public outcry that ousted manager Čačić.[118] He was replaced by Zlatko Dalić, who formally qualified the team with a 2–0 win against Ukraine,[119] and a 4–1 win with Greece, on aggregate, during a playoff round in the first leg in Zagreb.[120][121] The 2017–18 squad was known as Croatia's second "golden generation",[122][123] referencing their 1998 counterparts, during the side's World Cup campaign.[124][125][126] They topped their group with a 2–0 victory over Nigeria,[127][128] a 3–0 win over Argentina,[129][130][131] and a 2–1 win with Iceland – their best-ever group stage performance.[132][133]

During the knockout stage, they beat Denmark in a penalty shoot-out for the first time[134][135] after goalkeeper Danijel Subašić saved three penalties, equalling the record for most penalties saved in a shoot-out.[136] In the quarter-finals, Croatia drew 2–2 with hosts Russia, becoming the first team since 1990 to win two consecutive penalty shoot-outs.[137][138][139] Playing England in the semi-finals, Croatia equalized to force their third consecutive extra time, matching the tournament record.[140][141] Mario Mandžukić and Perišić scored as Croatia won 2–1 making them the second-smallest country by population (after Uruguay) and land mass (after the Netherlands) to reach a World Cup final.[142][143] In the World Cup final they lost to France 4–2, finishing in second place and securing the silver medal.[144] The match was controversial[c] for its refereeing.[146][147] The team was welcomed by an estimated half a million people[d] at their homecoming in Zagreb.[150]

The team entered the Nations League's inaugural 2018–19 edition in League A, along with England and Spain in January 2018.[151][152] Croatia lost 6–0 away to Spain in their first game, the side's record loss in a match.[153] Croatia drew 0–0 home with England,[154] played behind closed doors due to UEFA sanctions.[155] The team then overtook Spain 3–2 with a goal in stoppage time, followed by a 2–1 away defeat to England.[156] Croatia were set to be relegated to League B until a tournament rule change retained them in League A, grouping them with Portugal, France and Sweden in the 2020–21 tournament.[157][158][159] Croatia lost to France and Portugal, but a victory against Sweden was sufficient to avoid relegation.[160][161][162]

The team topped their group for the qualifying campaign of Euro 2020,[163][164][165] with a loss to Hungary, and draws against Azerbaijan and Wales.[166][167] The 2020 finals were delayed into 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[168] Overall, winning only two out of eight games in 2020, Croatia achieved their worst-ever aggregate win-rate.[169][170] Croatia finished second in their Euros group,[171] with a 1–0 loss to England, a 1–1 draw with the Czech Republic and a 3–1 win over Scotland. They advanced to the round of 16, where they lost to Spain 5–3 after extra time.[172] The loss to Spain led to heightened criticism against Dalić and the team by the Croatian public,[173][174] a faction of whom called for resignations.[175][176] Dalić refreshed the team roster by introducing younger debutants for the remainder of World Cup qualifying in 2021.[177][178]

Croatia qualified for the 2022 World Cup with one loss, two draws and seven wins.[179][180][181][182] The team advanced from group stage after a 0–0 draw with Morocco, a 4–1 win against Canada, and finished ahead of Belgium by a single point after drawing 0–0.[183][184] They won against Japan in a penalty shootout in the round of 16 where Dominik Livaković saved three of four Japanese penalties, equalling a record held by Ricardo and Danijel Subašić.[185][186] Croatia similarly beat Brazil during the quarter-finals in an upset victory on penalties, having come from behind to draw 1–1 in the final minutes of extra time.[187][188] In the semi-final match, Croatia sustained their heaviest World Cup defeat, 3–0 against Argentina.[189] They prevailed 2–1 over Morocco in the third place playoff, securing their second bronze medal.[190]

The team topped their group in the 2023 Nations League, knocking out reigning champions France by winning 1–0 on a penalty – their first-ever win against the French.[191][192] Croatia beat the Netherlands 4–2 in the semi-finals, advancing to their first Nations League final, against Spain.[193][194] After drawing the Spanish 0–0 in extra time, the team lost the penalty shootout 4–5, finishing the tournament in second place.[195] Croatia finished second in the qualifying for Euro 2024, being drawn into a "group of death" with Spain, Italy, and Albania.[196][197] After a 3–0 loss to Spain, they drew 2–2 with Albania and 1–1 with Italy.[198] The Italians shut them out of the knockout stage, on points, with a 98th minute stoppage-time goal from striker Mattia Zaccagni.[199]

Croatia is set to compete in the 2024 Nations League in Autumn 2024, followed by qualification matches for the 2026 World Cup.

Image

[edit]

Kits

[edit]
The team's image references the national colors of Croatia. Pictured: Šime Vrsaljko, 2018.

Croatia's modern-day team jersey was created in 1990 by Miroslav Šutej, the designer behind the nation's flag and coat of arms. The red-and-white motif is based on the Croatian checkerboard (šahovnica).[200][201][202] The typical kit color-way features red-and-white checkered shirts, white shorts and blue socks to match the Croatian tricolor (Trobojnica).[200] There have been variations made by the kit manufacturers since the original release; the jersey design has remained consistent throughout the years and has served as a blueprint for other Croatian national sports teams and entities.[16]

Meanwhile, the away kits used by the team have for a period been all-blue, incorporating the red-and-white checkers as a trim. Since then, Croatia has used darker colored away kits such as the dark navy-and-black checkered design that featured prominently in the 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign. The Vatreni have often been required to use their darker away kits even when playing at home because their opponents have red-and-white color schemes that clash with the chequers of Croatia.[203][204]

Kit supplier Period
Germany Uhlsport 1990–1991
Italy Lotto 1992–1994
Italy Kappa 1994
Italy Lotto 1994–2000
United States Nike 2000–present

Supporters

[edit]
Croatia supporters at Euro 2012, featuring the national checkerboard

The team has developed an extensive fan base since the 1990s.[205] Following their debut run at the 1998 World Cup, there was a rise in domestic and global attention for the side. Political scientist Alex J. Bellamy observed in 2003 that the national team became a symbol of statehood in Croatia after their independence through the cultural export of football.[206] The government's influence on team affairs eased substantially after the death of President Franjo Tuđman in 1999. All matches are followed and televised throughout the country, particularly during major tournaments.[207] In November 2022, the Ministry of Science and Education issued guidance to let school children watch matches during the school day as long coursework is made up later.[208] Following the 2018 World Cup, the Croatian Cabinet attended ministerial meetings in team jerseys,[209] and during the 2022 World Cup, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković delivered a hurried speech "[lasting] only 37 seconds" at the Euro-Mediterranean Summit to catch the quarter-finals.[210]

The Croatian Football Federation endorses an official fan club for the team, known as Uvijek Vjerni ("Always Faithful").[211] A part of the team's support consists of fans of Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split, the two largest clubs in Croatia's top domestic football league, the Hrvatska nogometna liga (HNL).[212] Both sets of fans—Bad Blue Boys from Zagreb and Torcida from Split—have been associated with hooliganism due to their ultra-style support.[213][214] Regional support for the team also comes from Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly from fans of domestic clubs Zrinjski Mostar and Široki Brijeg.[215] The diaspora of Croatians across the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America contribute to the majority of the side's international support.[216][217] It is customary among supporters to include an inscription of their city of origin onto the Croatian flag. Fans also coordinate their vocal support and orchestrate chants during matches. One section may shout "U boj, u boj" ("To battle, to battle") with another responding "Za narod svoj" ("For our people").[218] In addition to chants, the team regularly have songs dedicated to them, such as Slaven Bilić's "Vatreno ludilo" (Fiery Madness) which topped Croatian music charts during Euro 2008.[219][220]

Smoke from supporters' pyrotechnics in Ban Jelačić Square, 2018

The disruptive behaviour of supporters during matches – in particular those exhibiting ultra-style fandom – has complicated national team affairs. Hooliganism, rioting, vandalism, littering, violence, use of pyrotechnics and discriminatory political expression has led to sanctions both domestically and internationally. The link between the team and national identity generates perennial tension around ethnic nationalism and fascism stemming from the dissolution of Yugoslavia.[8][221] The football federation, government, and players have made material efforts to prevent unwanted incidents in order to avoid damage to the perception of the team and Croatian people.[222] This has included banning their own fans from certain games.[223] The behaviour of fans has led to penalties and fines for the national team imposed by FIFA and UEFA.[224][225] The Croatian Football Federation has been assessed significant disciplinary fines and penalties since the early 2000s.[226][227][228] In addition to monetary fines, the team has faced tournament point deductions and have had their supporters banned.[229][230] There have also been multiple acts of protest against the national team, in response to allegations of corruption.[231]

Charity

[edit]

To advance the team's charitable efforts manager Slaven Bilić established the Vatreno Srce (Fiery Heart) Foundation in 2010.[232] The primary cause of the foundation is helping children.[233] As of 2012, the foundation made fifty donations of 1,200,000 HRK to various children's organizations.[234] In December 2012, the foundation made 500,000 HRK on an auction of Niko Kranjčar's shirt and Lionel Messi's shirt that was signed by all FC Barcelona players. The auction was organized in the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel and attended by President of Croatia Ivo Josipović.[234] In November 2018, the players gathered in The Westin Hotel in Zagreb to answer fans' phonecalls, the proceeds of which were donated to the Vatreno Srce Foundation. In 2018, the foundation financed Children's Hospital Zagreb and Korak u Život (A Step Into Life), a charity that helps young children raised in orphanages make the transition into higher education.[232][235] In November 2019, more than 500,000 HRK was collected in another call event that were then directed to Children's Hospital Kantrida.[236] In March 2020, the players collectively donated 4.2 million HRK to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and for repair of damage caused by the 2020 Zagreb earthquake.[237] Members of national team also visit and help children with special needs and their education institutions.[238]

Stadiums

[edit]

The national team has played in thirteen stadiums around the country. The majority of Croatia's home matches take place at Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb, the country's largest football stadium, which is also the home-ground of local football club Dinamo Zagreb.[239] It was one of two venues for Euro 1976, hosted by Yugoslavia, alongside Red Star Stadium in Belgrade. The Croatian Football Federation previously agreed on extensive plans with the government to renovate the stadium and increase its forty-thousand seating capacity, the proposal was eventually rejected by Mayor of Zagreb Milan Bandić in 2008 due to construction costs.[239][240][241]

Home matches are occasionally played at other, smaller venues around the country. Stadion Poljud in Split has hosted some qualifying fixtures since 1995. In the period between 1995 and 2011, Croatia never won a competitive match at Poljud, which the local media dubbed Poljudsko prokletsvo ("the Poljud curse").[242] Qualifying fixtures have also been played at Stadion Kantrida in Rijeka along with Stadion Gradski Vrt in Osijek and Stadion Varteks in Varaždin.[243]

Stadium City / town Pld W D L Win % Last match hosted Map of the host cities
Stadion Maksimir  Zagreb 69 48 15 6 069.6 2024
Stadion Poljud Split-Dalmatia County Split 18 4 9 5 022.2 2023
Stadion Gradski vrt Osijek-Baranja County Osijek 14 10 3 1 071.4 2022
Stadion Kantrida Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Rijeka 11 10 1 0 090.9 2011
Stadion Rujevica 9 7 2 0 077.8 2024
Stadion Varteks Varaždin County Varaždin 8 5 2 1 062.5 2019
Stadion A. Drosina Istria County Pula 5 4 0 1 080.0 2019
Opus Arena Osijek-Baranja County Osijek 2 1 0 1 050.0 2024
Stadion Koprivnica Koprivnica-Križevci County Koprivnica 1 1 0 0 100.0 2016
Stadion Cibalia Vukovar-Syrmia County Vinkovci 1 1 0 0 100.0 2009
Stadion Kranjčevićeva  Zagreb 1 1 0 0 100.0 1996
Stadion Šubićevac Šibenik-Knin County Šibenik 1 0 1 0 000.0 2003
Stadion Radnik Zagreb County Velika Gorica 1 0 1 0 000.0 2021
Total 142 92 34 15 64.8% 2024

Last updated: Croatia vs. Scotland, 12 October 2024
Statistics include only official matches recognized by Croatian Football Federation (HNS)[244]

Results and fixtures

[edit]

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

[edit]
18 November UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Latvia  0–2  Croatia Riga, Latvia
18:00 CET
(19:00 EET)
Report
Stadium: Skonto Stadium
Attendance: 6,747
Referee: Urs Schnyder (Switzerland)
Assistant referees: Marco Zürcher (Switzerland)
Assistant referees: Benjamin Zürcher (Switzerland)
Fourth official: Sven Wolfensberger (Switzerland)
21 November UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Croatia  1–0  Armenia Zagreb, Croatia
20:45 CET
Report Stadium: Stadion Maksimir
Attendance: 20,398
Referee: Ivan Kružliak (Slovakia)
Assistant referees: Branislav Hanckov (Slovakia)
Assistant referees: Jan Pozor (Slovakia)
Fourth official: Martin Dohal (Slovakia)

2024

[edit]
3 June Friendly Croatia  3–0  North Macedonia Rijeka, Croatia
19:00
Report Stadium: Stadion Rujevica
Attendance: 8,030
Referee: Matej Jug (Slovenia)
8 June Friendly Portugal  1–2  Croatia Oeiras, Portugal
18:45
Report
Stadium: Estádio Nacional
Attendance: 37,500
Referee: Harm Osmers (Germany)
15 June UEFA Euro 2024 Group B Spain  3–0  Croatia Berlin, Germany
18:00 CEST
Report Stadium: Olympiastadion
Attendance: 68,844
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
19 June UEFA Euro 2024 Group B Croatia  2–2  Albania Hamburg, Germany
15:00 CEST Report
Stadium: Volksparkstadion
Attendance: 46,784
Referee: François Letexier (France)
24 June UEFA Euro 2024 Group B Croatia  1–1  Italy Leipzig, Germany
21:00 CEST
Report
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 38,322
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
5 September 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A Portugal  2–1  Croatia Lisbon, Portugal
20:45 CEST
(19:45 WET)
Report
Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 57,675
Referee: Halil Umut Meler (Turkey)
8 September 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A Croatia  1–0  Poland Osijek, Croatia
20:45 CEST
Report Stadium: Opus Arena
Attendance: 12,612
Referee: François Letexier (France)
12 October 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A Croatia  2–1  Scotland Zagreb, Croatia
18:00 CEST Report Stadium: Stadion Maksimir
Attendance: 21,702
Referee: István Kovács (Romania)
15 November 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A Scotland  1–0  Croatia Glasgow, Scotland
20:45 CET
(19:45 GMT)
Report Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 48,810
Referee: Orel Grinfeeld (Israel)

Management

[edit]
Manager Zlatko Dalić, 2018
Position Name[245]
Head coach Croatia Zlatko Dalić
Assistant coach Croatia Vedran Ćorluka
Goalkeeping coaches Croatia Marjan Mrmić
Croatia Danijel Subašić
Fitness coaches Croatia Marin Dadić
Croatia Luka Milanović
Analyst Croatia Dražen Ladić
Video analyst Scotland Marc Rochon
Scouts Croatia Nikola Jerkan
Croatia Ognjen Vukojević
Physiotherapists Croatia Goran Beloglavec
Croatia Neven Golubar
Croatia Miroslav Jamnić
Croatia Nenad Krošnjar
Kosovo Nderim Redžaj
Doctors Croatia Saša Janković
Croatia Eduard Rod
Croatia Tomislav Vlahović
Technical director Croatia Stipe Pletikosa
Team manager Croatia Iva Olivari
Security officer Croatia Miroslav Marković
Media officer Croatia Tomislav Pacak
Chef Croatia Tomica Đukić
Kit men Croatia Dennis Lukančić
Croatia Mladen Pilčić
Croatia Goran Vincek

Manager history

[edit]

The following table provides a summary of the complete record of each Croatia manager's results in the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship.

Manager Period Pld W D L Win %
Pre-independence
Kingdom of Yugoslavia Jozo Jakopić 1940–1941 4 2 1 1 050.00
Independent State of Croatia Rudolf Hitrec 1941 1 0 0 1 000.00
Independent State of Croatia Bogdan Cuvaj 1941–1943 13 6 3 4 046.15
Independent State of Croatia Bernard Hügl 1943–1945 1 1 0 0 100.00
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Bogdan Cuvaj 1956 1 1 0 0 100.00
Total 20 10 4 6 50%
Manager Period Pld W D L Win % Major competitions
Post-independence
Croatia Dražan Jerković 1990–1991 3 3 0 0 100.00
Croatia Stanko Poklepović 1992 4 1 1 2 025.00
Croatia Vlatko Marković 1993–1994 1 1 0 0 100.00
Croatia Miroslav Blažević 1994–2000 72 33 24 15 045.83 1996 European Championship – Quarter-finals
1998 World Cup – Third place
2000 European Championship – Failed to qualify
Croatia Tomislav Ivić (c)[e] 1994 1 1 0 0 100.00
Croatia Mirko Jozić 2000–2002 18 9 6 3 050.00 2002 World Cup – Group stage
Croatia Otto Barić 2002–2004 24 11 8 5 045.83 2004 European Championship – Group stage
Croatia Zlatko Kranjčar 2004–2006 25 11 8 6 044.00 2006 World Cup – Group stage
Croatia Slaven Bilić 2006–2012 65 42 15 8 064.62 2008 European Championship – Quarter-finals
2010 World Cup – Failed to qualify
2012 European Championship – Group stage
Croatia Igor Štimac 2012–2013 15 8 2 5 053.33
Croatia Niko Kovač 2013–2015 19 10 5 4 052.63 2014 World Cup – Group stage
Croatia Ante Čačić 2015–2017 25 15 6 4 060.00 2016 European Championship – Round of 16
Croatia Zlatko Dalić 2017–present 91 45 24 22 049.45 2018 World Cup – Runners-up
2020 European Championship – Round of 16
2022 World Cup – Third place
2024 European Championship – Group stage
Total 363 190 99 74 52.34% 13 out of 15

Last updated: Poland vs. Croatia, 15 October 2024 Source: Croatian Football Federation

Players

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]

The following players were selected for Croatia's 2024–25 UEFA Nations League matches against Scotland and Portugal on 15 and 18 November 2024, respectively.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
SUS 1GK Dominik Livaković (1995-01-09) 9 January 1995 (age 29) 61 0 Turkey Fenerbahçe
23 1GK Ivica Ivušić (1995-02-01) 1 February 1995 (age 29) 6 0 Cyprus Pafos
12 1GK Nediljko Labrović (1999-10-10) 10 October 1999 (age 25) 2 0 Germany FC Augsburg
1 1GK Dominik Kotarski (2000-02-10) 10 February 2000 (age 24) 2 0 Greece PAOK

2 2DF Kristijan Jakić (1997-07-14) 14 July 1997 (age 27) 8 0 Germany FC Augsburg
4 2DF Joško Gvardiol (2002-01-23) 23 January 2002 (age 22) 38 2 England Manchester City
5 2DF Duje Ćaleta-Car (1996-09-17) 17 September 1996 (age 28) 28 1 France Lyon
19 2DF Borna Sosa (1998-01-21) 21 January 1998 (age 26) 25 2 Italy Torino
6 2DF Josip Šutalo (2000-02-28) 28 February 2000 (age 24) 22 0 Netherlands Ajax
3 2DF Marin Pongračić (1997-09-11) 11 September 1997 (age 27) 11 0 Italy Fiorentina

10 3MF Luka Modrić (captain) (1985-09-09) 9 September 1985 (age 39) 183 27 Spain Real Madrid
8 3MF Mateo Kovačić (third captain) (1994-05-06) 6 May 1994 (age 30) 107 5 England Manchester City
15 3MF Mario Pašalić (1995-02-09) 9 February 1995 (age 29) 71 10 Italy Atalanta
13 3MF Nikola Vlašić (1997-10-04) 4 October 1997 (age 27) 57 8 Italy Torino
21 3MF Luka Sučić (2002-09-08) 8 September 2002 (age 22) 15 0 Spain Real Sociedad
16 3MF Martin Baturina (2003-02-16) 16 February 2003 (age 21) 8 1 Croatia Dinamo Zagreb
17 3MF Petar Sučić (2003-10-25) 25 October 2003 (age 21) 5 1 Croatia Dinamo Zagreb
7 3MF Nikola Moro (1998-03-12) 12 March 1998 (age 26) 1 0 Italy Bologna

14 4FW Ivan Perišić (vice-captain) (1989-02-02) 2 February 1989 (age 35) 139 33 Netherlands PSV Eindhoven
9 4FW Andrej Kramarić (1991-06-19) 19 June 1991 (age 33) 101 30 Germany TSG Hoffenheim
SUS 4FW Ante Budimir (1991-07-22) 22 July 1991 (age 33) 27 3 Spain Osasuna
18 4FW Mislav Oršić (1992-12-29) 29 December 1992 (age 31) 27 2 Turkey Trabzonspor
20 4FW Marko Pjaca (1995-05-06) 6 May 1995 (age 29) 28 1 Croatia Dinamo Zagreb
11 4FW Marco Pašalić (2000-09-14) 14 September 2000 (age 24) 5 1 Croatia Rijeka
22 4FW Igor Matanović (2003-03-31) 31 March 2003 (age 21) 4 1 Germany Eintracht Frankfurt

Recent call-ups

[edit]

The following players have also been called up to the squad in the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Martin Erlić INJ (1998-01-24) 24 January 1998 (age 26) 10 0 Italy Bologna v.  Scotland, 15 November 2024PRE
DF Šimun Hrgović (2004-03-20) 20 March 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Croatia Hajduk Split v.  Scotland, 15 November 2024PRE
DF Dominik Prpić INJ (2004-05-19) 19 May 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Croatia Hajduk Split v.  Scotland, 12 October 2024PRE
DF Josip Stanišić INJ (2000-04-02) 2 April 2000 (age 24) 20 0 Germany Bayern Munich v.  Portugal, 5 September 2024
DF Borna Barišić (1992-11-10) 10 November 1992 (age 32) 35 1 Turkey Trabzonspor v.  Portugal, 5 September 2024 PRE
DF Domagoj Vida RET (1989-04-29) 29 April 1989 (age 35) 105 4 Greece AEK Athens UEFA Euro 2024
DF Josip Juranović INJ (1995-08-16) 16 August 1995 (age 29) 39 0 Germany Union Berlin UEFA Euro 2024

MF Lovro Majer INJ (1998-01-17) 17 January 1998 (age 26) 34 8 Germany VfL Wolfsburg v.  Scotland, 15 November 2024PRE
MF Toni Fruk (2001-04-09) 9 April 2001 (age 23) 0 0 Croatia Rijeka v.  Scotland, 15 November 2024PRE
MF Robert Ljubičić (1999-07-14) 14 July 1999 (age 25) 0 0 Greece AEK Athens v.  Scotland, 12 October 2024PRE
MF Marcelo Brozović RET (1992-11-16) 16 November 1992 (age 32) 99 7 Saudi Arabia Al Nassr UEFA Euro 2024
MF Niko Sigur CAN (2003-09-09) 9 September 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Croatia Hajduk Split UEFA Euro 2024 PRE

FW Luka Ivanušec (1998-11-26) 26 November 1998 (age 25) 22 2 Netherlands Feyenoord v.  Scotland, 15 November 2024PRE
FW Bruno Petković INJ (1994-09-16) 16 September 1994 (age 30) 42 11 Croatia Dinamo Zagreb v.  Scotland, 15 November 2024
FW Marin Ljubičić (2002-02-28) 28 February 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Austria LASK UEFA Euro 2024 PRE

  • INJ = Injured or ill.
  • WD = Withdrew.
  • SUS = Suspended from participating.
  • RET = Retired after latest call-up.
  • U21 = Joined the Croatia U21 team instead.
  • PRE = Preliminary squad.
  • CAN = Switched to Canada national team

Individual statistics

[edit]
As of 15 October 2024[247]
Statistics below are sourced from the Croatian Football Federation, players in bold are still active with Croatia.

Most appearances

[edit]
Luka Modrić is Croatia's most capped player.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Luka Modrić 183 27 2006–present
2 Ivan Perišić 139 33 2011–present
3 Darijo Srna 134 22 2002–2016
4 Stipe Pletikosa 114 0 1999–2014
6 Mateo Kovačić 108 5 2013–present
5 Ivan Rakitić 106 15 2007-2019
7 Josip Šimunić 105 3 2001–2013
Domagoj Vida 4 2010–2024
9 Ivica Olić 104 20 2002–2015
10 Vedran Ćorluka 103 4 2006–2018

Surpassing Robert Jarni's previous record of 81 appearances,[248][249] Dario Šimić was the first player to reach 100 appearances, doing so before his retirement in 2008.[250] Darijo Srna, Josip Šimunić and Stipe Pletikosa collectively reached their 100th cap in February 2013.[251] Srna was the most capped player from 2016 to 2021, with 134 appearances.[252] He was surpassed by Luka Modrić in 2021.[253]

The youngest player to play for Croatia is Alen Halilović (aged 16 years, 11 months and 23 days),[254] while the oldest is Luka Modrić (39 years, 1 month and 6 days).[255]

Top goalscorers

[edit]
Davor Šuker is Croatia's top goalscorer.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Davor Šuker 45 69 0.65 1991–2002
2 Mario Mandžukić 33 89 0.37 2007–2018
Ivan Perišić 138 0.24 2011–present
4 Andrej Kramarić 30 100 0.3 2014–present
5 Eduardo da Silva 29 64 0.45 2004–2014
6 Luka Modrić 27 182 0.15 2006–present
7 Darijo Srna 22 134 0.16 2002–2016
8 Ivica Olić 20 104 0.19 2002–2015
9 Niko Kranjčar 16 81 0.2 2004–2013
10 Nikola Kalinić 15 42 0.36 2008–2018
Goran Vlaović 51 0.29 1992–2002
Ivan Rakitić 106 0.14 2007–2019

Davor Šuker is Croatia's highest goalscorer with a record 45 international goals from 1991 to 2002.[32]

The team's youngest goalscorer is Luka Ivanušec (aged 18 years, 1 month and 19 days).[256]

Most clean sheets

[edit]
Stipe Pletikosa is Croatia's record holder in most clean sheets.
Rank Player Clean sheets Caps Ratio Career
1 Stipe Pletikosa 54 114 0.47 1999–2014
2 Dražen Ladić 26 59 0.44 1990–2000
3 Danijel Subašić 24 44 0.55 2009–2018
4 Dominik Livaković 20 61 0.33 2017–present
5 Tomislav Butina 15 28 0.54 2001–2006
6 Vedran Runje 9 22 0.41 2006–2011
7 Tonči Gabrić 5 9 0.56 1990–1997
Marjan Mrmić 13 0.38 1995–1999
9 Ivica Ivušić 4 6 0.67 2021–present
Lovre Kalinić 19 0.21 2014-2022

Competitive record

[edit]

  Champions  
  Runners-up  
  Third place  
  Fourth place  
  Tournament played fully or partially on home soil  

FIFA World Cup

[edit]
FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pos Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Part of  Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Kingdom of Italy 1934
French Third Republic 1938
Fourth Brazilian Republic 1950 Part of  Yugoslavia
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958
Chile 1962
England 1966
Mexico 1970
West Germany 1974
Argentina 1978
Spain 1982
Mexico 1986
Italy 1990
United States 1994 Did not enter
France 1998 Third place 3rd 7 5 0 2 11 5 Squad 2ndOFF 10 5 4 1 20 13
South Korea Japan 2002 Group stage 23rd 3 1 0 2 2 3 Squad 1st 8 5 3 0 15 2
Germany 2006 22nd 3 0 2 1 2 3 Squad 1st 10 7 3 0 21 5
South Africa 2010 Did not qualify 3rd 10 6 2 2 19 13
Brazil 2014 Group stage 19th 3 1 0 2 6 6 Squad 2ndOFF 12 6 3 3 14 9
Russia 2018 Runners-up 2nd 7 4 2 1 14 9 Squad 2ndOFF 12 7 3 2 19 5
Qatar 2022 Third place 3rd 7 2 4 1 8 7 Squad 1st 10 7 2 1 21 4
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined To be determined
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030[f]
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total Runners-up 6/7 30 13 8 9 43 33 6/7 72 43 20 9 129 51

Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out; correct as of 17 December 2022 after the match against  Morocco.

Matches
First match  Croatia 3–1 Jamaica 
(Lens, France; 14 June 1998)
Biggest win  Croatia 4–0 Cameroon 
(Manaus, Brazil; 18 June 2014)
Biggest defeat  Argentina 3–0 Croatia 
(Lusail, Qatar; 13 December 2022)
Best result Runners-up in 2018
Worst result Group stage in 2002, 2006 and 2014

UEFA European Championship

[edit]
UEFA European Championship record Qualifying record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pos Pld W D L GF GA
France 1960 Part of  Yugoslavia
Francoist Spain 1964
Italy 1968
Belgium 1972
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1976
Italy 1980
France 1984
West Germany 1988
Sweden 1992
England 1996 Quarter-finals 7th 4 2 0 2 5 5 Squad 1st 10 7 2 1 22 5
Belgium Netherlands 2000 Did not qualify 3rd 8 4 3 1 13 9
Portugal 2004 Group stage 13th 3 0 2 1 4 6 Squad 2ndOFF 10 6 2 2 14 5
Austria Switzerland 2008 Quarter-finals 5th 4 3 1 0 5 2 Squad 1st 12 9 2 1 28 8
Poland Ukraine 2012 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 4 3 Squad 2ndOFF 12 8 2 2 21 7
France 2016 Round of 16 9th 4 2 1 1 5 4 Squad 2nd 10 6 3 1 20 5
Europe 2020 14th 4 1 1 2 7 8 Squad 1st 8 5 2 1 17 7
Germany 2024 Group stage 20th 3 0 2 1 3 6 Squad 2nd 8 5 1 2 13 4
United Kingdom Republic of Ireland 2028 To be determined To be determined
Italy Turkey 2032
Total Quarter-finals 7/8 25 9 8 8 33 34 7/17 78 50 17 11 148 50

Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out; correct as of 24 June 2024 after the match against  Italy.

Matches
First match  Croatia 1–0 Turkey 
(Nottingham, England; 11 June 1996)
Biggest win  Croatia 3–0 Denmark 
(Sheffield, England; 16 June 1996)
Biggest defeat  Portugal 3–0 Croatia 
(Nottingham, England; 19 June 1996)
 Spain 3–0 Croatia 
(Berlin, Germany; 15 June 2024)
Best result Quarter-finals in 1996 and 2008
Worst result Group stage in 2004, 2012, and 2024

UEFA Nations League

[edit]
UEFA Nations League Finals record
Season LG Grp Pos Pld W D L GF GA P/R RK Year Round Pld W D L GF GA Squad
2018–19 A 4 3rd 4 1 1 2 4 10 Same position 9th Portugal 2019 Did not qualify
2020–21 A 3 3rd 6 1 0 5 9 16 Same position 12th Italy 2021
2022–23 A 1 1st 6 4 1 1 8 6 Same position 2nd Netherlands 2023 Runners-up 2 1 1 0 4 2 Squad
2024–25 A 1 2nd 4 2 1 1 7 6 TBD 2025 To be determined
Total 20 8 3 9 28 38 2nd Total 1/3 2 1 1 0 4 2

Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out; correct as of 15 October 2024, after the match against  Poland.

Matches
First match  Spain 6–0 Croatia 
(Elche, Spain; 11 September 2018)
Biggest win  Austria 1–3 Croatia 
(Vienna, Austria; 25 September 2022)
 Netherlands 2–4 Croatia 
(Rotterdam, Netherlands; 14 June 2023)
Biggest defeat  Spain 6–0 Croatia 
(Elche, Spain; 11 September 2018)
Best result Runners-up in 2022–23
Worst result 12th place in 2020–21

Other

[edit]
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Morocco 1996 King Hassan II International Cup Tournament Champions 1st 2 0 2 0 3 3
Japan 1997 Kirin Cup Soccer Runners-up 2nd 2 0 1 1 4 5
South Korea 1999 Korea Cup Champions 1st 3 1 2 0 5 4
Hong Kong 2006 Lunar New Year Cup Third place 3rd 2 1 0 1 4 2
China 2017 China Cup Fourth place 4th 2 0 2 0 2 2
Egypt 2024 ACUD Cup Champions 1st 2 1 1 0 4 2
Total 3 Title 6/6 13 3 8 2 22 18

Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks; correct as of 26 March 2024 after the match against  Egypt.

Head-to-head record

[edit]
Key
  More wins than losses
  As many wins as losses
  Fewer wins than losses

Correct as of 15 October 2024, after the match against  Poland.
Source: Croatian Football Federation[258]

Pre-independence
Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
 Bulgaria 1 1 0 0 6 0 +6 100.00
 Germany 3 0 0 3 2 12 −10 000.00
 Hungary 3 0 2 1 2 3 −1 000.00
 Indonesia 1 1 0 0 5 2 +3 100.00
 Italy 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4 000.00
 Romania 1 0 1 0 2 2 +0 000.00
 Slovakia 7 6 1 0 25 9 +16 085.71
  Switzerland 3 2 0 1 5 1 +4 066.67
Total: 8 teams played 20 10 4 6 47 33 +14 050.00
Post-independence
Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD Win % Confederation
 Albania 1 0 1 0 2 2 +0 000.00 UEFA
 Andorra 6 6 0 0 24 0 +24 100.00 UEFA
 Argentina 6 2 1 3 7 8 −1 033.33 CONMEBOL
 Armenia 3 2 1 0 3 1 +2 066.67 UEFA
 Australia 6 2 2 2 11 6 +5 033.33 AFC
 Austria 7 6 0 1 12 6 +6 085.71 UEFA
 Azerbaijan 4 2 2 0 9 2 +7 050.00 UEFA
 Belarus 2 2 0 0 4 1 +3 100.00 UEFA
 Belgium 9 3 3 3 9 6 +3 033.33 UEFA
 Bosnia and Herzegovina 4 4 0 0 14 6 +8 100.00 UEFA
 Brazil 5 0 2 3 3 8 −5 000.00 CONMEBOL
 Bulgaria 8 5 2 1 12 6 +6 062.50 UEFA
 Cameroon 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 100.00 CAF
 Canada 1 1 0 0 4 1 +3 100.00 CONCACAF
 Chile 1 0 1 0 1 1 +0 000.00 CONMEBOL
 China 1 0 1 0 1 1 +0 000.00 AFC
 Cyprus 3 3 0 0 6 0 +6 100.00 UEFA
 Czech Republic 4 1 3 0 8 6 +2 025.00 UEFA
 Denmark 8 4 2 2 11 8 +3 050.00 UEFA
 Ecuador 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 000.00 CONMEBOL
 Egypt 2 1 1 0 6 4 +2 050.00 CAF
 England 11 3 2 6 13 22 −9 027.27 UEFA
 Estonia 9 6 2 1 16 5 +11 066.67 UEFA
 Finland 2 1 1 0 2 1 +1 050.00 UEFA
 France 10 1 3 6 10 20 −10 010.00 UEFA
 Georgia 3 2 0 1 4 3 +1 066.67 UEFA
 Germany 5 2 1 2 8 6 +2 040.00 UEFA
 Gibraltar 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 100.00 UEFA
 Greece 8 2 4 2 10 9 +1 025.00 UEFA
 Hong Kong 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 100.00 AFC
 Hungary 9 4 4 1 17 7 +10 044.44 UEFA
 Iceland 7 5 1 1 13 3 +10 071.43 UEFA
 Iran 2 1 1 0 4 2 +2 050.00 AFC
 Israel 9 8 1 0 22 8 +14 088.89 UEFA
 Italy 9 3 6 0 11 7 +4 033.33 UEFA
 Jamaica 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 100.00 CONCACAF
 Japan 4 1 2 1 5 5 +0 025.00 AFC
 Jordan 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 100.00 AFC
 Kazakhstan 2 2 0 0 5 1 +4 100.00 UEFA
 Kosovo 2 2 0 0 7 0 +7 100.00 UEFA
 Latvia 6 6 0 0 17 1 +16 100.00 UEFA
 Liechtenstein 2 2 0 0 8 2 +6 100.00 UEFA
 Lithuania 2 1 1 0 2 0 +2 050.00 UEFA
 Mali 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 100.00 CAF
 Malta 10 9 1 0 29 5 +24 090.00 UEFA
 Mexico 6 4 0 2 9 6 +3 066.67 CONCACAF
 Moldova 2 2 0 0 2 0 +2 100.00 UEFA
 Morocco 3 1 2 0 4 3 +1 033.33 CAF
 Netherlands 3 2 0 1 6 6 +0 066.67 UEFA
 Nigeria 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 100.00 CAF
 North Macedonia 9 6 2 1 15 9 +6 066.67 UEFA
 Northern Ireland 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 100.00 UEFA
 Norway 5 3 1 1 10 6 +4 060.00 UEFA
 Peru 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 000.00 CONMEBOL
 Poland 7 4 2 1 11 6 +5 057.14 UEFA
 Portugal 9 1 1 7 7 18 −11 011.11 UEFA
 Qatar 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 100.00 AFC
 Republic of Ireland 7 2 3 2 8 8 +0 028.57 UEFA
 Romania 3 3 0 0 4 1 +3 100.00 UEFA
 Russia 6 2 4 0 6 3 +3 033.33 UEFA
 San Marino 3 3 0 0 18 0 +18 100.00 UEFA
 Saudi Arabia 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100.00 AFC
 Scotland 7 2 3 2 7 7 +0 028.57 UEFA
 Senegal 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 100.00 CAF
 Serbia[g] 4 1 3 0 5 3 +2 025.00 UEFA
 Slovakia 10 5 3 2 18 11 +7 050.00 UEFA
 Slovenia 12 7 4 1 20 10 +10 058.33 UEFA
 South Korea 7 3 2 2 11 7 +4 042.86 AFC
 Spain 11 3 2 6 12 23 −11 027.27 UEFA
 Sweden 6 4 0 2 8 7 +1 066.67 UEFA
  Switzerland 4 1 2 1 6 7 −1 025.00 UEFA
 Tunisia 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1 000.00 CAF
 Turkey 12 4 6 2 15 10 +5 033.33 UEFA
 Ukraine 9 5 3 1 15 5 +10 055.56 UEFA
 United States 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 100.00 CONCACAF
 Wales 8 4 3 1 12 7 +5 050.00 UEFA
Total: 76 teams played 362 189 99 74 612 355 +257 052.21 Confederation

FIFA ranking history

[edit]

The following is a chart of yearly averages of Croatia's FIFA World Ranking.[259] Upon admission to FIFA in 1994, Croatia entered the World Ranking at 125th.[259] Their debut World Cup campaign, during 1998, propelled Croatia to third place after the tournament, marking the fastest, most volatile ascension in FIFA ranking history.[260] It hit a then-record Elo rating of 2,006 points in July 1998 and maintained third place until February 1999.[261][262] The national team recorded its highest Elo rating in June 2023 with 2,012 points.[263] With an average Elo rating of 1,877 points, Croatia maintains the sixth-highest average rating in the world.[264] They are one of three teams—along with Colombia and France—to be named FIFA Best Mover of the Year more than once, winning the award in 1994 and 1998.[265][266]

Honours

[edit]

Major competitions

[edit]

Friendly

[edit]

Summary

[edit]
Competition 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Total
FIFA World Cup 0 1 2 3
UEFA European Championship 0 0 0 0
UEFA Nations League 0 1 0 1
Total 0 2 2 4

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ A portion of this squad (Jarni, Štimac, Boban, Prosinečki and Šuker) previously won the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship with the Yugoslavia under-20 team.[36]
  2. ^ Under the rules of Association football and the official European Championship tournament regulations, a loss inflicted via a penalty shootout does not count as a defeat but rather a tie which needed a final process to determine the team which advances per the Laws of the Game.
  3. ^ A free kick was awarded to France for a possible dive by Antoine Griezmann as well as penalty later in the game awarded by the video assistant referee (VAR) for a handball by Ivan Perišić.[145]
  4. ^ The mass gathering amounted to over 10% of the nation's population.[148] With 550,000 Croatians present, the event constituted the second-largest gathering in modern Croatia.[149]
  5. ^ In September 1994, national team manager Miroslav Blažević, who was also coaching Croatia Zagreb at the time, was dismissed in a 1994–95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup match against Auxerre. Blažević was suspended by UEFA for one game and Ivić was appointed as his replacement for the qualifying match against Italy in November 1994 for UEFA Euro 1996.
  6. ^ Additional matches are scheduled to be played in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup, however they are not considered to be official hosts of the tournament.[257]
  7. ^ Includes the records against the no longer active FR Yugoslavia national team, whose successor is considered by UEFA and FIFA to be Serbia national team.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  3. ^ Rogić, Marijan (2008). Hrvatsko nogometno predstavništvo 1940. - 2008 (in Croatian). Zagreb: Gipa. ISBN 9789539529718.
  4. ^ Sengupta, Arjun (10 December 2022). "The improbable rise of the Croatian football team". The Indian Express. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Hrvatska nogometna reprezentacija kroz povijest" (in Croatian). Uvijek Vjerni. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2008. Translation
  6. ^ a b c Kramarsic, Igor/Puric, Bojan. "Croatia International matches". Rec. Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 14 July 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "Croatia (4) – Switzerland (0) 2 April 1940". Croatian Football Federation (HNS). 12 December 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2024. IGRALIŠTE GRAĐANSKOG, ZAGREB, 02.04.1940. 16:00 Gledatelja: 10.000, Florijan Matekalo (46'), Zvonimir Cimermančić (70', 82'), August Lešnik (84')
  8. ^ a b Colborne, Una Hajdari, Michael. "In Croatia, Sympathizers Are Welcome to Join the Party". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 15 December 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ a b "Povijest Hrvatskog Nogometnog Saveza" (in Croatian). H-R. 25 September 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2008. Translation
  10. ^ "Goal Programme – Croatian Football Federation – 2006". FIFA. 17 July 2008. Archived from the original on 4 September 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2008.
  11. ^ Esamie, Thomas. "Games of the XVI. Olympiad". Rec. Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 22 September 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2008.
  12. ^ "1990 FIFA World Cup squads – Yugoslavia". Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA.com). Archived from the original on 8 September 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2008.
  13. ^ a b Longman, Jere (6 July 1998). "World Cup '98; Croatia and Its Fortunate Sons". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
  14. ^ Ramet 2005, p. 171
  15. ^ "Aljosa Asanovic – International appearances". Rec. Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 20 July 2008.
  16. ^ a b Mario Duspara; Tanja Simić (20 February 2006). "Hrvatske kocke opet modni hit" [Croatian chequy are fashionable again]. Nacional (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  17. ^ "Sve o sportu". Sve o sportu. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  18. ^ "Croatia Marks Independence Day for First Time". Southeast European times. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  19. ^ "Croatia – International matches 1990–1995". Rec. Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 12 June 2008. Retrieved 18 July 2008.
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Further reading

[edit]
  • Ramet. P, Sabrina (2005). Thinking about Yugoslavia. Cambridge University. ISBN 0-521-85151-3.
  • Klemenčić, Mladen (2004). Nogometni leksikon. Miroslav Krleža lexicographic institute. ISBN 953-6036-84-3.
  • Foster, Jane (2004). Footprint Croatia. Footprint Travel Guides. ISBN 1-903471-79-6.
  • Bellamy. J, Alex (2003). The Formation of Croatian National Identity. Manchester University Press. ISBN 0-7190-6502-X.
  • Giulianotti, Richard (1997). Entering the Field: New Perspectives on World Football. Berg Publishers. ISBN 1-85973-198-8.
[edit]