The Croatian national team's early history is tied to Yugoslavia; however, while the country did not gain independence until 1991, the Croatian Football Federation joined FIFA in 1941, playing their first game as a FIFA member in September of that year. Having played unofficially in the intervening period, they were readmitted to FIFA in 1992. Their FIFA World Cup debut came in 1998; they sensationally finished in third place, having been fired to the semi-finals by star striker and Golden Boot-winner Davor Suker. With stars such as Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic in their side, Croatia reached their first World Cup final in 2018, finishing as runners-up to France.
