The Croatia national under-21 football team represents Croatia in international football matches for players 21 or under. It is governed by the Croatian Football Federation, 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 Mladi vatreni ('Young Blazers'). So far, the Mladi vatreni qualified for five UEFA European Under-21 Championships, namely in 2000, 2004, 2019, 2021 and 2023. Croatia was unable to pass the group stage until the 2021 Euro when it was eliminated in the quarter-finals, its greatest accomplishment in the European competition so far.
Recent results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2023
2024
Coaching staff
Current coaching staff
Players
Current squad
- The following players were called up for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification.
- Match dates: 15–19 November 2024
- Opposition: Georgia
- Caps and goals correct as of: 15 October 2024, after the match against Greece
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the squad in the last 12 months and are still eligible for selection.
Competitive record
Champions
Runners-up
Third place
Fourth place
Tournament played fully or partially on home soil
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out; correct as of 20 November 2023 after the match against Belarus.
- Notes
- OFF = Lost in play-offs.
Statistics
Managers
The following table provides a summary of the complete record of each manager including their results regarding European Under-21 Championship.
- Key: Pld–games played, W–games won, D–games drawn; L–games lost, %–win percentage
Last updated: Croatia vs Belarus, 20 November 2023. Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.
Most capped players
- Players in bold are still active with Croatia.
Last updated: Belarus vs Croatia, 20 November 2023
Source: Croatian Football Federation
Top goalscorers
- Players in bold are still active with Croatia.
Last updated: Belarus vs Croatia, 20 November 2023
Source: Croatian Football Federation
Record per opponent
Correct as of 20 November 2023, after the match against Belarus.
Source: Croatian Football Federation
See also
- Croatia national football team
- Croatia national football B team
- Croatia national under-23 football team
- Croatia national under-20 football team
- Croatia national under-19 football team
- Croatia national under-18 football team
- Croatia national under-17 football team
- Croatia national under-16 football team
- Croatia national under-15 football team
- Croatia women's national football team
- Croatia women's national under-19 football team
- Croatia women's national under-17 football team
- Croatia women's national under-15 football team
Notes
References
External links
- Under-21 at UEFA.com
- U23/U21 Tournaments at the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation website
- Croatia youth teams players' statistics at the Croatian Football Federation website
