Euro 1996
At its first major tournament, Croatia reached the quarterfinals where it lost against later winner Germany.
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1996
1998
World Cup 1998
At its first World Cup, held in France, Croatian team won the historic bronze medal.
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2002
World Cup 2002
FIFA World Cup 2002 was held in Japan and South Korea, with Croatian team participating in the group stage.
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2004
Euro 2004
EURO 2004 was held in Portugal, with Croatian team participating in the group stage.
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2006
World Cup 2006
FIFA World Cup 2006 was held in Germany, with Croatian team participating in the group stage.
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2008
Euro 2008
EURO 2008 was held in Switzerland and Austria, with Croatian team losing a dramatic quarterfinal against Turkey.
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2012
Euro 2012
EURO 2012 was held in Ukraine and Poland, with Croatian team stopped in the group stage by later finalists Spain and Italy.
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2014
World Cup 2014.
FIFA World Cup 2014 was held in Brazil, with Croatian team participating in the group stage.
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2016
Euro 2016
EURO 2016 was held in France, with Croatia reaching the Round of 16 and bowing out against later winners Portugal.
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2018
World Cup 2018.
At the FIFA World Cup in Russia, Croatia national team achieved the biggest success in history by reaching the final and winning the silver medal.
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2020
Euro 2020
Due to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, Pan-European EURO 2020 was held in 2021, with Croatia national team reaching the Round of 16.
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2022
World Cup 2022.
FIFA World Cup 2022 was held in Qatar, with Croatia national team winning the bronze medal.
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2023
Nations League 2023.
UEFA Nations League final tournament in 2023 was held in Netherlands. As a first-time participant, Croatia won the silver medal.
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2024
Euro 2024
EURO 2024 was held in Germany, with Croatian team participating in the group stage.
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FIFA World Cup 2002.
Photo by: Arhiva HNS
- Players
- Coaching staff
- Technical staff
- Delegation
- Matches
- About
Goalkeepers
Stipe Pletikosa
- Born: 08.01.1979.
- Goalkeeper
- Apps: 3
Tomislav Butina
- Born: 30.03.1974.
- Goalkeeper
- Apps: 0
Vladimir Vasilj
- Born: 06.07.1975.
- Goalkeeper
- Apps: 0
Defenders
Robert Kovač
- Born: 06.04.1974.
- Defender
- Apps: 3
- Goals: 0
Josip Šimunić
- Born: 18.02.1978.
- Defender
- Apps: 3
- Goals: 0
Stjepan Tomas
- Born: 06.03.1976.
- Defender
- Apps: 3
- Goals: 0
Zvonimir Soldo
- Born: 02.11.1967.
- Defender
- Apps: 2
- Goals: 0
Dario Šimić
- Born: 12.11.1975.
- Defender
- Apps: 2
- Goals: 0
Boris Živković
- Born: 15.11.1975.
- Defender
- Apps: 1
- Goals: 0
Anthony Šerić
- Born: 15.01.1979.
- Defender
- Apps: 0
- Goals: 0
Midfield
Robert Jarni
- Born: 26.10.1968.
- Midfielder
- Apps: 3
- Goals: 0
Niko Kovač
- Born: 15.10.1971.
- Midfielder
- Apps: 3
- Goals: 0
Milan Rapaić
- Born: 16.08.1973.
- Midfielder
- Apps: 3
- Goals: 1
Daniel Šarić
- Born: 04.08.1972.
- Midfielder
- Apps: 3
- Goals: 0
Mario Stanić
- Born: 10.04.1972.
- Midfielder
- Apps: 2
- Goals: 0
Jurica Vranješ
- Born: 31.01.1980.
- Midfielder
- Apps: 2
- Goals: 0
Robert Prosinečki
- Born: 12.01.1969.
- Midfielder
- Apps: 1
- Goals: 0
Strikers
Alen Bokšić
- Born: 21.01.1970.
- Striker
- Apps: 3
- Goals: 0
Ivica Olić
- Born: 14.09.1979.
- Striker
- Apps: 2
- Goals: 1
Davor Vugrinec
- Born: 24.03.1975.
- Striker
- Apps: 2
- Goals: 0
Davor Šuker
- Born: 01.01.1968.
- Striker
- Apps: 1
- Goals: 0
Boško Balaban
- Born: 15.10.1978.
- Striker
- Apps: 0
- Goals: 0
Goran Vlaović
- Born: 07.08.1972.
- Striker
- Apps: 0
- Goals: 0
Coaching staff
MIRKO JOZIĆ
- head coach
MARIJAN VLAK
- coach
IVAN KATALINIĆ
- GK coach
HRVOJE BRAOVIĆ
- coach
Technical staff
DAVOR BUKOVINA
- technical secretary
BORIS NEMEC
- doctor
SAŠA JANKOVIĆ
- doctor
TOMISLAV VRBNJAK
- physio
BOJAN RADANOVIĆ
- physio
IGOR GRŠKOVIĆ
- physio
ZLATKO KRANJČAR
- scout
MARTIN NOVOSELAC
- scout
ŽELJKO MESIĆ
- kitman
MLADEN PILČIĆ
- kitman
DRAGUTIN GORIČKI
- chef
Delegation
VLATKO MARKOVIĆ
- president
ZORISLAV SREBRIĆ
- general secretary
ZORAN CVRK
- security officer
ADOLF KOŽUL
- media officer
RUŽICA BAJRIĆ
- finances
IVA OLIVARI
- administrator
GORAN SABLIĆ
- young player
MARKO BABIĆ
- young player
Croatia qualified for the World Cup in Japan and South Korea ahead of Belgium, under the leadership of Mirko Jozić, successor to the triumphant Ćiro Blažević. The team was captained by stars of the golden generation, Davor Šuker and Robert Jarni.
However, the adventure in Japan ended already in the group stage.
The highlight of Croatia’s campaign was a three-minute frenzy in the second match against Italy, when Ivica Olić and Milan Rapaić scored in the 73rd and 76th minutes to overturn Vieri’s opener and seal a memorable 2:1 victory.
The euphoria among Croatian players and supporters — both in the stadiums and back home — was not dampened even by Italy’s disallowed goals, and expectations for another strong World Cup were again on the rise.
Such a recovery after the opening defeat to Mexico — when Živković was sent off and Blanco converted the decisive penalty (1:0) — allowed for optimistic anticipation ahead of the decisive clash with debutants Ecuador.
However, that crucial match did not bring Croatia’s best performance, and the few chances that arose were not taken. Ecuador, on the other hand, seized theirs: Méndez scored at the very start of the second half, and Jozić’s men were unable to respond. Croatia headed home, finishing third in the group on goal difference ahead of Ecuador, while Mexico and Italy advanced to the knockout stage.