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).
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.[2][3] Hugo Kinert first managed an unofficial side that played some international matches in 1918–19.[4] In 1940, Jozo Jakopić led the national side representing the YugoslavBanovina of Croatia in four friendly matches.[5] Croatia's first official international match was a 4–0 win over Switzerland in their capital city, Zagreb, on 2 April 1940.[6] Following the 1941 Axisinvasion of Yugoslavia, Germany and Italytook control of Croatia, forming the Independent State of Croatia and installing Rudolf Hitrec as an unofficial manager for two years.[7] The side played 15 friendly matches from its re-activation in FIFA in 1941 until the end of World War II.[8][9] In 1945, Croatia returned to Yugoslavia as the People's Republic of Croatia with sides active until 1956.[8][5] During the nation's pre-independence, Croat footballers played for Yugoslavia at the Summer Olympics,[10] the FIFA World Cup,[11] and the UEFA European Championship from 1956 to 1990.[12][13]
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.[32] Croatia beat the Germans 3–0 with goals from Robert Jarni, Goran Vlaović and Davor Šuker, all after Christian Wörns had been sent off.[33] They advanced to their first semi-finals against the hosts France.[34] 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.[35] France's defender Lilian Thuram equalized quickly after, and scored another goal later in the game to beat Croatia 2–1.[36] In the third place playoff, Croatia prevailed against the Netherlands 2–1 to secure bronze and claim their first World Cup medal.[20] Šuker won the Golden Shoe for scoring the most goals in the World Cup: six goals in seven games.[37] The Croatians' performance during the late-1990s propelled them to rank third place in the FIFA World Ranking in January 1999.[23][12] The team of the 1990s was dubbed the "golden generation"[a] for their contributions to Croatia's ascension in international football.[38][39]
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.[40] 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.[41][42] The team was eliminated by one point,[43] leading to the resignation of Jozić and succession of Otto Barić in July 2002, their first manager born outside of Southeastern Europe.[44] 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.[45] Croatia qualified in a playoff victory against Slovenia, winning 2–1 on aggregate after Dado Pršo's decisive late goal in the second leg.[46] 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.[47][48] Barić departed after his two-year contract expired in June 2004.[49] Prior to launching the team's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, Zlatko Kranjčar succeed Barić in July 2004.[50] Croatia qualified undefeated, topping the group ahead of Sweden and Bulgaria.[51][52] 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.[53][54] A 2–2 draw with Australia in which three players were sent off confirmed Croatia's elimination.[55]
Bilić renewed his contract in April 2008,[75] 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.[76][77][78] 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.[79] 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.[80]
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.[81] 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.[82] They were grouped with the Republic of Ireland, Italy and defending championsSpain, opening with a 3–1 victory over the Irish.[83] Croatia drew with Italy 1–1 in a match marred by disruptive fans and controversial refereeing from English official Howard Webb.[84] The side was knocked out by Spain in a 0–1 loss, which, along with 1–1 rematch with Italy, had Croatia eliminated.[84] Bilić retired before Euro 2012, with the Croatians continuously ranked among the top ten teams in the world during his tenure – 2007 to 2012.[85][86][87]
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.[88][89] A year in, Štimac was replaced by former captain Niko Kovač.[90] 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.[91] 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.[92][93] 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.[94][95][96]
During the qualifying campaign of Euro 2016, Croatia drew with Azerbaijan and lost to Norway,[97] leading to Kovač's replacement with Ante Čačić.[98][99] The team broke their record for most goals scored in a match with a friendly 10–0 win over San Marino in June 2016.[100] They topped the group stage of that year's Euros, advancing with defending champions Spain.[101][102] Croatia prevailed over Turkey 1–0 with a long-range volley goal from Luka Modrić,[103] before drawing 2–2 draw against the Czech Republic.[104] 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.[105] There was severe crowd trouble[105] and on-field flares in the game's last minutes with a steward injured by a stray firework.[106] Croatia then overtook Spain 2–1, confirming the Spaniards' first defeat at a Euro finals match since 2004.[107][108] The Croatians were tipped as one of the tournament favourites[109][110] as they entered the knockout stage with Portugal.[111] 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.[112][113] Following the campaign, Darijo Srna announced his retirement and the succession of Modrić as team captain in August 2016.[114][115]
The team arrival in Zagreb after their 2018 World Cup campaign
Croatia qualified for the 2018 World Cup undefeated for their first five matches.[116] Two defeats to Iceland and Turkey, as well as a draw against Finland, led to a public outcry that ousted manager Čačić.[117] He was replaced by Zlatko Dalić, who formally qualified the team with a 2–0 win against Ukraine,[118] and a 4–1 win with Greece, on aggregate, during a playoff round in the first leg in Zagreb.[119][120] The 2017–18 squad was known as Croatia's second "golden generation",[121][122] referencing their 1998 counterparts, during the side's World Cup campaign.[123][124][125] They topped their group with a 2–0 victory over Nigeria,[126][127] a 3–0 win over Argentina,[128][129][130] and a 2–1 win with Iceland – their best-ever group stage performance.[131][132]
During the knockout stage, they beat Denmark in a penalty shoot-out for the first time[133][134] after goalkeeper Danijel Subašić saved three penalties, equalling the record for most penalties saved in a shoot-out.[135] In the quarter-finals, Croatia drew 2–2 with hosts Russia, becoming the first team since 1990 to win two consecutive penalty shoot-outs.[136][137][138] Playing England in the semi-finals, Croatia equalized to force their third consecutive extra time, matching the tournament record.[139][140]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.[141][142] In the World Cup final they lost to France 4–2, finishing in second place and securing the silver medal.[143] The match was controversial[c] for its refereeing.[145][146] The team was welcomed by an estimated half a million people[d] at their homecoming in Zagreb.[149]
The team entered the Nations League's inaugural 2018–19 edition in League A, along with England and Spain in January 2018.[150][151] Croatia lost 6–0 away to Spain in their first game, the side's record loss in a match.[152] Croatia drew 0–0 home with England,[153] played behind closed doors due to UEFA sanctions.[154] The team then overtook Spain 3–2 with a goal in stoppage time, followed by a 2–1 away defeat to England.[155] 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.[156][157][158] Croatia lost to France and Portugal, but a victory against Sweden was sufficient to avoid relegation.[159][160][161]
The team topped their group for the qualifying campaign of Euro 2020,[162][163][164] with a loss to Hungary, and draws against Azerbaijan and Wales.[165][166] The 2020 finals were delayed into 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[167] Overall, winning only two out of eight games in 2020, Croatia achieved their worst-ever aggregate win-rate.[168][169] Croatia finished second in their Euros group,[170] 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.[171] The loss to Spain led to heightened criticism against Dalić and the team by the Croatian public,[172][173] a faction of whom called for resignations.[174][175] Dalić refreshed the team roster by introducing younger debutants for the remainder of World Cup qualifying in 2021.[176][177]
Croatia qualified for the 2022 World Cup with one loss, two draws and seven wins.[178][179][180][181] 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.[182][183] 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.[184][185] 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.[186][187] In the semi-final match, Croatia sustained their heaviest World Cup defeat, 3–0 against Argentina.[188] They prevailed 2–1 over Morocco in the third place playoff, securing their second bronze medal.[189]
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.[190][191] Croatia beat the Netherlands 4–2 in the semi-finals, advancing to their first Nations League final, against Spain.[192][193] After drawing the Spanish 0–0 in extra time, the team lost the penalty shootout 4–5, finishing the tournament in second place.[194] Croatia finished second in the qualifying for Euro 2024, being drawn into a "group of death" with Spain, Italy, and Albania.[195][196] After a 3–0 loss to Spain, they drew 2–2 with Albania and 1–1 with Italy.[197] The Italians shut them out of the knockout stage, on points, with a 98th minute stoppage-time goal from striker Mattia Zaccagni.[198]
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).[199][200][201] The typical kit color-way features red-and-white checkered shirts, white shorts and blue socks to match the Croatian tricolor (Trobojnica).[199] 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.[15]
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.[202][203]
The team has developed an extensive fan base since the 1990s.[204] 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.[205] 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.[206] 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.[207] Following the 2018 World Cup, the Croatian Cabinet attended ministerial meetings in team jerseys,[208] 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.[209]
The Croatian Football Federation endorses an official fan club for the team, known as Uvijek Vjerni ("Always Faithful").[210] 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).[211] Both sets of fans—Bad Blue Boys from Zagreb and Torcida from Split—have been associated with hooliganism due to their ultra-style support.[212][213] Regional support for the team also comes from Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly from fans of domestic clubs Zrinjski Mostar and Široki Brijeg.[214] The diaspora of Croatians across the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America contribute to the majority of the side's international support.[215][216] 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").[217] 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.[218][219]
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.[7][220] 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.[221] This has included banning their own fans from certain games.[222] The behaviour of fans has led to penalties and fines for the national team imposed by FIFA and UEFA.[223][224] The Croatian Football Federation has been assessed significant disciplinary fines and penalties since the early 2000s.[225][226][227] In addition to monetary fines, the team has faced tournament point deductions and have had their supporters banned.[228][229] There have also been multiple acts of protest against the national team, in response to allegations of corruption.[230]
Charity
To advance the team's charitable efforts manager Slaven Bilić established the Vatreno Srce (Fiery Heart) Foundation in 2010.[231] The primary cause of the foundation is helping children.[232] As of 2012, the foundation made fifty donations of 1,200,000 HRK to various children's organizations.[233] 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.[233] 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.[231][234] In November 2019, more than 500,000 HRK was collected in another call event that were then directed to Children's Hospital Kantrida.[235] 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.[236] Members of national team also visit and help children with special needs and their education institutions.[237]
Stadiums
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.[238] 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.[238][239][240]
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").[241] Qualifying fixtures have also been played at Stadion Kantrida in Rijeka along with Stadion Gradski Vrt in Osijek and Stadion Varteks in Varaždin.[242]
Surpassing Robert Jarni's previous record of 81 appearances,[247][248] Dario Šimić was the first player to reach 100 appearances, doing so before his retirement in 2008.[249] Darijo Srna, Josip Šimunić and Stipe Pletikosa collectively reached their 100th cap in February 2013.[250] Srna was the most capped player from 2016 to 2021, with 134 appearances.[251] He was surpassed by Luka Modrić in 2021.[252]
The youngest player to play for Croatia is Alen Halilović (aged 16years, 11months and 23days),[253] while the oldest is Luka Modrić (39years, 1month and 6days).[254]
The following is a chart of yearly averages of Croatia's FIFA World Ranking.[258] Upon admission to FIFA in 1994, Croatia entered the World Ranking at 125th.[258] 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.[259] It hit a then-record Elo rating of 2,006 points in July 1998 and maintained third place until February 1999.[260][261] The national team recorded its highest Elo rating in June 2023 with 2,012 points.[262] With an average Elo rating of 1,877 points, Croatia maintains the sixth-highest average rating in the world.[263] 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.[264][265]
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
↑ 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.
↑ The mass gathering amounted to over 10% of the nation's population.[147] With 550,000 Croatians present, the event constituted the second-largest gathering in modern Croatia.[148]
↑ 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.[256]
↑ 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.
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(24 October 2024) [1] 
Croatia 4–0 Switzerland 
Croatia 10–0 San Marino 
Spain 6–0 Croatia 
