The Croatian national football team represents Croatia in international football competitions. It is governed by the Croatian Football Federation and competes in major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship. The team is known for its distinctive checkered jerseys and passionate fan base. Since its independence in the early 1990s, the team has achieved significant success, including a remarkable second-place finish in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Players like Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić have gained international recognition, contributing to the team's reputation as a competitive force in world football.