World Cup history
Croatia (Vatreni) has appeared at 6 editions of the FIFA World Cup, with a best finish of Runner-up 2018, Third 2022. Founded in 1912, the federation enters World Cup 2026 in the UEFA pool, coached by Zlatko Dalić.
- World Cup appearances6
- World Cup titles0
- Best finishRunner-up 2018, Third 2022
- Head coachZlatko Dalić
- Founded1912
- FIFAUEFA
Star players
- Luka Modrić
- Joško Gvardiol
- Andrej Kramarić
- Mateo Kovačić
- Mario Pašalić
Path to the trophy
Dark horse — knockout-round threat. With a 48-team field split into 12 groups of 4, the top two and best 8 third-placed teams advance to a 32-team Round of 32 — meaning even mid-table sides have a realistic knockout pathway.
FAQ
Has Croatia won the World Cup?
Croatia has not won the World Cup. Best finish: Runner-up 2018, Third 2022.
Who is the head coach of Croatia?
Zlatko Dalić leads Croatia into FIFA World Cup 2026.
How many times has Croatia played in the World Cup?
Croatia has appeared 6 times in the FIFA World Cup.
Who are Croatia's star players?
Luka Modrić, Joško Gvardiol, Andrej Kramarić, Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić.
What confederation does Croatia represent?
Croatia plays in the UEFA confederation.
When does Croatia play in the World Cup 2026?
Schedule depends on the December 2025 group draw.
What is Croatia's nickname?
Vatreni
Plan your Croatia World Cup 2026 experience
Dark horse — knockout-round threat.
