Croatia World Cup Information

The Croatian National Football team in its current form has existed since 1990 and was recognised by FIFA and UEFA in 1992, one year after Croatia gained independence from Yugoslavia. Previously sanctioned national teams represented the short-lived Banovina of Croatia and Independent State of Croatia in 19 friendly matches from 1940 to 1944. Although an affiliate of FIFA in the earlier era, the team remained a part of Yugoslavia and therefore could not participate separately at competitive level.

The modern team played the nation's first competitive matches during a successful qualifying campaign for Euro 96, leading to their first appearance at a major international tournament. They went on to finish third at the 1998 World Cup, led by Golden Boot winner Davor Šuker. Croatia has since qualified for every World Cup that it has entered as an independent nation, having missed only one major tournament —UEFA Euro 2000— since they became eligible to participate.

The team has achieved several noteworthy results, including victories over Germany, Holland, Italy and England. During their 98 World Cup foray, they defeated the Germans 3–0 and concluded the tournament with a 2–1 victory over Holland in the bronze medal playoff. Croatia has overcome four-time world champions Italy twice: an away win during qualifications for Euro 96 and again at the 2002 World Cup, with a 2–1 scoreline on both occasions. Recent results include twofold victories against England: 2–0 at home in the Maksimir Stadium and 3–2 at Wembley Stadium, England's first competitive defeat at the new venue. At Euro 2008, Croatia defeated eventual finalists Germany 2–1.

Croatia is the only team to win FIFA's "Best Mover of the Year" more than once, receiving the award in 1994 and 1998. Their FIFA World Ranking has been amongst the most volatile of all nations, ranging from third to 125th (the latter shortly after the team began playing independently). They are undefeated in competitive matches on home soil since 1994, playing the majority of such games at Maksimir Stadium in the nation's capital, Zagreb.

World Cup record

Croatia have qualified for every World Cup since their debut of the tournament in 1998. Although they were granted entry into FIFA and UEFA in 1992, they were still unable to enter the 1994 tournament as qualifications had already commenced. Their first World Cup appearance is the nation's best to date, as they have failed to progress beyond the group stage in both of their following tournaments; placing third in their group on both occasions.

Croatia at World Cup 2006

A new era for the team began shortly after the 2004 tournament exit. Retiree Zlatko Kranjčar took over as national team coach and commanded Croatia to a top place finish in their qualifying group for the 2006 World Cup, again without losing a single match. Niko Kovač was chosen as team captain during this qualification campaign, a role he kept into the final tournament. Kranjčar faced heavy criticism with the introduction of his son Niko, who was peceived as a biased inclusion by the media. After narrowly losing to Brazil in their opening game, Croatia failed to overcome Japan after an array of chances, including a penalty, went begging. With their advancement reliant on victory against Australia, Croatia took the lead with one of the earliest goals in their tournament history; a second-minute free kick from Dario Srna. However, the match finished 2–2 with three red cards being issued by referee Graham Poll. This prompted another exit from the group stage as Croatia marked an odd first in football history after Josip Šimunić became the only player to receive three yellow cards in a single match.

World Cup 2010

Croatia were again drawn with England in the qualification stages of the 2010 World Cup, with the rematch fixtures voted by FIFA as the most anticipated of the campaign. Despite constant speculation of his departure, Slaven Bilić renewed his contract to stay on as manager into the forthcoming tournament. This marked the first occasion since Miroslav Blažević's managerial tenure that Croatia would enter two consecutive tournaments with the same manager, as all previous coaches were replaced after the failures of the sides they directed.