Croatia national football team

The Croatian national football team has played since Croatia's independence in 1990-1992 and is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation.

Earlier history

Football was played in Croatia from the beginning of the 20th century, but before the 1990s the country was not independent. Before that, the players from Croatia participated in the teams of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1919-1939), Banovina of Croatia (1939-1941), Independent State of Croatia (1941-1945) and Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1945-1990).

Related Topics:
Kingdom of Yugoslavia - Independent State of Croatia - Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

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For the Yugoslav periods, see Yugoslavia national football team.

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Due to political circumstances in Kingdom of Yugoslavia shortly before World War II, Croatian sports teams were allowed to compete under Croatian flag, so the first international of Croatia could be considered a 4 - 0 victory over Switzerland played in Zagreb on 2 April, 1940.

Related Topics:
Switzerland - Zagreb - 2 April - 1940

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During World War II, a Croatian Football Federation representing the puppet state Independent State of Croatia joined FIFA, and played with the teams of the Axis powers. In this period, the team recorded record losses: Germany 5 - 1 Croatia in Vienna, Austria (15 June 1941) and Germany 5 - 1 Croatia in Stuttgart, Germany (1 November 1942).

Related Topics:
World War II - Independent State of Croatia - Axis powers - Germany - Vienna - Austria - 15 June - 1941 - Stuttgart - Germany - 1 November - 1942

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