Croatia

History of the Croatia National Team: The Vatreni, Three World Cup Podiums in Thirty Years

A country of fewer than four million people, independent since 1991, Croatia have followed one of the most spectacular trajectories in world football: third in 1998, finalists in 2018, third in 2022. In 2026 the Vatreni fell in the round of 32 to Portugal.

1. Origins and Independence (1912–1993)

The Croatian Football Federation was founded in 1912. For decades Croatian players wore the Yugoslav shirt, often forming its backbone. After independence, Croatia played their first modern match in October 1990 against the United States, then joined FIFA and UEFA in 1992–93. The famous red and white chequered shirt, inspired by the national coat of arms, instantly became one of the most recognisable in the world.

2. France 1998: The Šuker Generation and Third Place

At their first World Cup, Croatia caused a sensation. Driven by Davor Šuker, Zvonimir Boban, Robert Prosinečki and Slaven Bilić, they crushed Germany 3–0 in the quarter-finals, lost narrowly to France in the semi-final, then beat the Netherlands for third place. Šuker won the Golden Boot with six goals.

3. Luka Modrić and the Moscow Final (2006–2018)

A new generation was built around Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, Mario Mandžukić and Ivan Perišić. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Croatia came through three consecutive extra-time ties — against Denmark, Russia and England — to reach the first World Cup final in their history, lost 4–2 to France. Modrić won the tournament's Golden Ball and then the Ballon d'Or, ending a decade of Messi–Ronaldo dominance.

4. Qatar 2022 and the Nations League (2019–2025)

In Qatar, Croatia eliminated Japan and then Brazil on penalties, before falling to Argentina in the semi-final. They beat Morocco 2–1 to take another third place. In 2023 they reached the Nations League final, lost on penalties to Spain. Joško Gvardiol established himself among the world's best defenders.

5. The 2026 World Cup

Ranked eleventh in the world before the tournament, Croatia came through the group stage in North America before being eliminated in the round of 32 by Portugal (1–2) on 2 July 2026 in Toronto. For the Modrić generation, this World Cup marked the end of an exceptional cycle.

A Shirt, Two Stadiums and a Culture of Resilience

The red and white chequerboard, the šahovnica, is far more than a pattern: it has been Croatia's historic emblem since the Middle Ages, and wearing it on the pitch carries strong meaning for a young state. The national team plays its biggest matches at Zagreb's Maksimir stadium or Split's Poljud, two grounds known for their atmosphere. Its playing identity rests on a midfield of rare technical quality — from Prosinečki to Modrić by way of Kovačić and Brozović — and on a mental strength that has become legendary: no other side won as many extra-time ties and penalty shoot-outs at World Cup finals as Croatia between 2018 and 2022. Luka Modrić became the country's most-capped player, and Davor Šuker, later president of the federation, remains one of its greatest scorers.

6. Towards 2030: After Modrić

Since resuming in September 2026, Croatia have begun the transition to a new generation. With renowned youth development — Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split remain major talent pools — and a results culture unique for a country of its size, the Vatreni aim to remain among the nations that matter.