Croatia’s Euro 2024 campaign with our comprehensive guide! This one-stop shop brings you the full squad list, along with insights into the team’s coach, captain, and home base. We’ll also chart their complete fixture schedule, so you can track Croatia’s journey throughout the tournament.
The Croatia national football team 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).
Croatia National Football Team Players, Current squad
This is Croatia team for FIFA World Cup 2026, Croatia National Football Team Players for other Tournament like Euro 2024. Croatia Squad for UEFA European Championship, Olympic Games, UEFA Nations League, FIFA Confederations Cup, International Friendlies and World Cup qualifying.
| No. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dominik Livaković | 9 January 1995 (age 29) | 52 | 0 | Fenerbahçe | |
| 12 | Nediljko Labrović | 10 October 1999 (age 24) | 1 | 0 | Rijeka | |
| 23 | Ivica Ivušić | 1 February 1995 (age 29) | 6 | 0 | Pafos | |
| 25 | Dominik Kotarski | 10 February 2000 (age 24) | 1 | 0 | PAOK | |
| Defenders | ||||||
| 2 | Josip Stanišić | 2 April 2000 (age 24) | 17 | 0 | Bayer Leverkusen | |
| 3 | Marin Pongračić | 11 September 1997 (age 26) | 6 | 0 | Lecce | |
| 4 | Joško Gvardiol | 23 January 2002 (age 22) | 29 | 2 | Manchester City | |
| 5 | Martin Erlić | 24 January 1998 (age 26) | 8 | 0 | Sassuolo | |
| 6 | Duje Ćaleta-Car | 17 September 1996 (age 27) | 24 | 1 | Lyon | |
| 19 | Borna Sosa | 21 January 1998 (age 26) | 19 | 1 | Ajax | |
| 21 | Domagoj Vida (vice-captain) | 29 April 1989 (age 35) | 104 | 4 | AEK Athens | |
| 22 | Josip Juranović | 16 August 1995 (age 28) | 36 | 0 | Union Berlin | |
| Midfielder | ||||||
| 7 | Lovro Majer | 17 January 1998 (age 26) | 29 | 6 | VfL Wolfsburg | |
| 8 | Mateo Kovačić | 6 May 1994 (age 30) | 99 | 5 | Manchester City | |
| 10 | Luka Modrić (captain) | 9 September 1985 (age 38) | 174 | 24 | Real Madrid | |
| 11 | Marcelo Brozović | 16 November 1992 (age 31) | 95 | 7 | Al Nassr | |
| 13 | Nikola Vlašić | 4 October 1997 (age 26) | 55 | 8 | Torino | |
| 15 | Mario Pašalić | 9 February 1995 (age 29) | 62 | 10 | Atalanta | |
| 18 | Luka Ivanušec | 26 November 1998 (age 25) | 19 | 2 | Feyenoord | |
| Forwords | ||||||
| 9 | Andrej Kramarić | 19 June 1991 (age 32) | 91 | 29 | 1899 Hoffenheim | |
| 17 | Bruno Petković | 16 September 1994 (age 29) | 36 | 11 | Dinamo Zagreb | |
| 20 | Marko Pjaca | 6 May 1995 (age 29) | 25 | 1 | Rijeka | |
| 24 | Marco Pašalić | 14 September 2000 (age 23) | 4 | 0 | Rijeka | |
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up to the squad in the last 12 months.
| Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivo Grbić | 18 January 1996 (age 28) | 2 | 0 | Sheffield United |
| Josip Šutalo INJ | 28 February 2000 (age 24) | 13 | 0 | Ajax |
| Borna Barišić | 10 November 1992 (age 31) | 35 | 1 | Rangers |
| Dario Melnjak INJ | 31 October 1992 (age 31) | 8 | 0 | Hajduk Split |
| Jakov Medić | 7 September 1998 (age 25) | 0 | 0 | Ajax |
| Filip Uremović | 11 February 1997 (age 27) | 6 | 0 | Hajduk Split |
| Martin Baturina INJ | 16 February 2003 (age 21) | 2 | 0 | Dinamo Zagreb |
| Luka Sučić INJ | 8 September 2002 (age 21) | 5 | 0 | Red Bull Salzburg |
| Nikola Moro | 12 March 1998 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | Bologna |
| Niko Sigur U21 | 9 September 2003 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Hajduk Split |
| Ivan Perišić INJ | 2 February 1989 (age 35) | 129 | 33 | Hajduk Split |
| Ante Budimir INJ | 22 July 1991 (age 32) | 19 | 2 | Osasuna |
| Dion Drena Beljo | 1 March 2002 (age 22) | 2 | 0 | FC Augsburg |
| Josip Brekalo | 23 June 1998 (age 25) | 35 | 4 | Hajduk Split |
| Petar Musa | 4 March 1998 (age 26) | 6 | 0 | FC Dallas |
| Franjo Ivanović | 1 October 2003 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Rijeka |
| Marko Livaja RET | 26 August 1993 (age 30) | 21 | 4 | Hajduk Split |
| Matija Frigan U21 | 11 February 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Westerlo |
| Mislav Oršić INJ | 29 December 1992 (age 31) | 27 | 2 | Trabzonspor |
Croatia Squad for Euro 2024
The Croatia Euro 2024 squad will still have Luka Modric playing, among a raft of other talented stars.
- GK: Dominik Livakovic (Fenerbahce)
- GK: Nediljko Labrovic (Rijeka)
- GK: Ivica Ivusic (Pafos)
- GK: Dominik Kotarski (PAOK)
- DF: Josip Stanisic (Bayer Leverkusen)
- DF: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)
- DF: Martin Erlic (Sassuolo)
- DF: Josip Sutalo (Ajax)
- DF: Borna Sosa (Ajax)
- DF: Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens)
- DF: Marin Pongracic (Lecce)
- DF: Josip Juranovic (Union Berlin)
- MF: Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg)
- MF: Martin Baturina (Dinamo Zagreb)
- MF: Luka Sucic (Red Bull Salzburg)
- MF: Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
- MF: Marcelo Brozovic (Al Nassr)
- MF: Nikola Vlasic (Torino)
- MF: Luka Ivanusec (Feyenoord)
- MF: Mario Pasalic (Atalanta)
- MF: Nikola Moro (Bologna)
- MF: Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City)
- FW: Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim)
- FW: Marko Pjaca (Rijeka)
- FW: Ante Budimir (Osasuna)
- FW: Ivan Perisic (Hajduk Split on loan from Tottenham)
- FW: Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb)
Support staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Zlatko Dalić |
| Assistant coaches | Ivica Olić, Vedran Ćorluka, Mario Mandžukić |
| Goalkeeping coaches | Marjan Mrmić, Danijel Subašić |
| Fitness coach | Luka Milanović, Marin Dadić |
| Analyst | Dražen Ladić |
| Video analyst | Marc Rochon |
| Scouts | Nikola Jerkan, Ognjen Vukojević |
| Physiotherapists | Nenad Krošnjar, Nderim Redžaj, Goran Beloglavec, Miroslav Jamnić, Neven Golubar |
| Doctors | Saša Janković, Eduard Rod, Tomislav Vlahović |
| Technical director | Stipe Pletikosa |
| Team manager | Iva Olivari |
| Security officer | Miroslav Marković |
| Media officer | Tomislav Pacak |
| Chef | Tomica Đukić |
| Kit men | Mladen Pilčić, Goran Vincek, Dennis Lukančić |
Who is Captain of Croatia National Football Team?
Croatia National Football Team Led by captain Luka Modrić.
What is Croatia’s nickname for their national football team?
Vatreni which translates to “The Blazers” in English. This nickname captures the team’s passionate and fiery playing style. Kockasti which translates to “The Checkered Ones” in English.
This nickname references the red and white checkered pattern that is a national symbol of Croatia and prominently featured on their team jerseys.
How many World Cups has Croatia won?
Croatia has not yet won the FIFA World Cup. They have had some very strong performances though, reaching the finals once and earning medals three times.
Who is the head coach of the Croatia national football team?
Zlatko Dalić is the current head coach of the Croatia national football team.
Croatia National Football Team Home Ground
The Croatia National Football Team doesn’t have a single designated home ground, but they primarily play their matches at Maksimir Stadiumin Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city. Maksimir Stadium is the largest stadium in Croatia with a seating capacity of over 25,000.
Croatia National Football Team Next Fixtures 2024
The Croatia National Football Team has 6 upcoming fixtures for the rest of 2024:
- Friendly: Croatia vs North Macedonia – Monday, June 3rd, 2024 (5:00 PM PST)
- Friendly: Portugal vs Croatia – Saturday, June 8th, 2024 (10:45 AM PST)
- Euro 2024: Spain vs Croatia – Saturday, June 15th, 2024 (10:00 AM PST)
- Euro 2024: Croatia vs Albania – Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 (7:00 AM PST)
- Euro 2024: Croatia vs Italy – Monday, June 24th, 2024 (1:00 PM PST)
- Nations League: Portugal vs Croatia – Thursday, September 5th, 2024 (12:45 PM PST)
Croatia National Football Team History
The Croatian national football team, instantly recognizable by their red and white checkered jerseys, boasts a rich history filled with both triumph and struggle. Their journey is intertwined with the nation’s own path to independence, creating a passionate connection between the team and its supporters.
Early Beginnings (1907-1940s):
Traces of Croatian football’s history go back to 1907 with unofficial matches against Slavia Prague. In 1912, the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) was founded, marking the beginning of organized football in the region. However, Croatia existed within the Austro-Hungarian Empire and later Yugoslavia, meaning official international competition was limited. Croatian players, including some who would later become managers for the independent team, found success representing Yugoslavia at the Olympics and World Cups throughout this period.
A Turbulent Period (1940s-1990s):
World War II brought further disruption. During the war, a short-lived Croatian national team played under the control of the fascist Independent State of Croatia, a period most fans choose to disregard. Following the war, Croatia remained part of Yugoslavia, with its players continuing to contribute to Yugoslav success.
Independence and Early Success (1990s):
The fall of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s paved the way for Croatian independence. In 1990, Croatia played its first unofficial international match against the United States, marking a new era. FIFA officially recognized Croatia in 1994, allowing them to compete on the world stage.
This newfound independence coincided with a golden generation of Croatian footballers. Davor Šuker, Robert Prosinečki, and Zvonimir Boban spearheaded a team that captured the imagination of the nation. Croatia’s debut at the 1998 World Cup was a fairytale run, reaching the semifinals and ultimately claiming the bronze medal. Šuker won the Golden Shoe for most goals scored and the Silver Ball as the tournament’s second-best player. This success cemented the team’s place as national heroes and a symbol of Croatian pride.
The New Millennium (2000s-present):
The new millennium brought a period of transition for the Croatian national team. While they consistently qualified for major tournaments, replicating the 1998 success proved difficult. However, a new generation of stars emerged, led by Luka Modrić, who would become a world-renowned midfielder.
The 2018 World Cup marked another historic moment. Led by Modrić’s masterful play, Croatia defied expectations by reaching the final, ultimately falling to France. Modrić deservedly received the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, solidifying his place as a Croatian legend. In 2022, Croatia secured another World Cup bronze medal, showcasing their consistency on the international stage.
Playing Style and Legacy:
Croatia is known for its technically gifted and tactically astute players. The team often employs a 4-3-3 formation, relying on possession-based play and creative passing. Their midfield, traditionally their strongest area, boasts players who can control the tempo of the game and unlock defenses with pinpoint passes. Croatian strikers are renowned for their finishing ability.
The Croatian national football team’s history is a story of resilience and national pride. They have overcome political turmoil and emerged as a consistent force in world football. With a strong youth development system and a passionate fanbase, Croatia is poised to continue its success on the international stage.
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