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Croatia

By Alan Hylands, About.com

Country Name:

Croatia

Nickname: Vatreni ("Fiery ones")

Domestic Association:

Croatian Football Federation (HNS) - founded in 1912 the Croatian Football Federation became affiliated to FIFA and UEFA in 1992. It may be interesting to note that formerly the HNS had joined FIFA in 1941 during the short-lived independent state of Croatia but this only lasted until the end of the Second World War. Croatia then joined again in 1992 when they had achieved independence.

Confederation:

UEFA (Europe)

Current Coaching Staff and Notable Team Officials:

Head Coach: Slaven Bilic
Team Captain: Niko Kovac

International Records - Players:

Most capped player - Dario Simic (89 caps)
Most international goals - Davor Šuker (45 goals)

National Stadium:

Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb, Croatia

The home stadium of club side Dinamo Zagreb it is also predominantly used to host the Croatian national team's home international matches.

FIFA World Cup Record:

1930 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1934 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1938 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1950 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1954 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1958 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1962 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1966 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1970 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1974 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1978 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1982 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1986 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1990 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1994 - Did not enter
1998 - Third place
2002 - First round
2006 - First round

UEFA European Championships Record:

1960 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1964 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1968 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1972 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1976 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1980 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1984 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1988 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1992 - Was part of Yugoslavia
1996 - Quarter-finals
2000 - Did not qualify
2004 - First round

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