The first two unofficial matches of the Croatian national team were played in Prague, against Slavia. The Czechs won both matches (15:2 i 20:0).

The first match of the Croatian national team, which then represented the state of Banovina Hrvatska, was played. On April 2nd, Croatia beat Switzerland in Zagreb 4:0. Representing Banovina Hrvatska and Nezavisna Država Hrvatska (The Independent State of Croatia), the Croatian national team played 19 matches, with nine wins, four draws and six defeats.

As a part of former Yugoslavia, Croatian national team played one international match. In Zagreb, Croatia beat Indonesia 5:2.

On October 17th, 1990, Croatian national football team played a friendly against the United States at Maksimir Stadium and won 2:1.

The first appearance of the Croatian senior national team in an official competition was recorded in Tallinn, in a qualifier for UEFA EURO 1996 against Estonia. Croatia won 2:0. A month later, in Zagreb, Croatia played the first home match in an official competition, against Lithuania (2:0).

Croatian national team won a FIFA award for the Best Mover of the Year.

In its first major tournament, Croatia won 5th place at the UEFA European Championships in England 1996.

Croatian national team won a FIFA award for the Best Mover of the Year.

Croatian national team achieved its best position in the FIFA rankings. From January to April 1999, Croatia claimed the third place.

Croatia participated in the final tournament of the FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan 2002.

Croatia participated in the final tournament of the UEFA European Championships in Portugal 2004.

Croatia participated in the final tournament of the FIFA World Cup in Germany 2006.

Croatia participated in the final tournament of the UEFA European Championships in Austria and Switzerland 2008, and reached the quarter-final stage.

Croatia participated in the final tournament of the UEFA European Championships in Poland and Ukraine 2012.

Croatia participated in the final tournament of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil 2014.

Croatia participated in the final tournament of the UEFA European Championships in France 2012 and lost in the second round against later champion Portugal.

Croatia national team won the silver medal at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, thus achieving its biggest success in the history. Luka Modrić was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament.

Croatia participated in the final tournament of the UEFA EURO 2020, played in 2021 due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and qualified for the Round of 16.

The Croatian national team once again impressed the world by winning the bronze medal at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Croatia captain Luka Modrić received the Bronze Ball award as the third best player of the tournament.