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
2022
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 against and to be played on 13 and 17 October 2023 respectively.
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.
INJ = Injured or ill. WD = Withdrew. SUS = Suspended from participating. RET = Retired after latest call-up. SEN = Joined the Croatia senior team instead. PRE = Preliminary squad.
Competitive record
Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place Tournament played fully or partially on home soil
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
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, 17 October 2023. Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.
Most capped players
Players in bold are still active with Croatia.
Top goalscorers
Players in bold are still active with Croatia.
Record per opponent
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
