by croatiaweek
November 3, 2025
in
Croatia U-17s returned to World Cup stage after a decade
Croatia has opened its FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign on Monday in Qatar.
For the first time in ten years, Croatia’s U-17 national team is back on the global stage at a World Cup.
Led by coach Marijan Budimir, Croatia have been drawn in Group C, alongside Senegal, Costa Rica and the United Arab Emirates.
Croatia’s first outing came against Senegal today in what proved to be a tight, tactical encounter.
Chances were few and far between, with Croatia coming closest on a couple of occasions, but neither side managed to find the breakthrough.
The game ended in a 0-0 draw, earning both teams a point to start the tournament.
Croatia’s side which started today’s match. Grahovac (Osijek), Kostelac (Lokomotiva), Pajsar (Parma), Kumar (Istra), Jakirović (Dinamo), Benkotić (Dinamo), Slišković (Union Berlin), Smiljanić (Lokomotiva), N. Horvat (Borussia Mönchengladbach), P. Horvat (Dinamo), and Kusanović (Nürnberg).
Coach Budimir said earlier that the squad are in good health, eager, and proud to represent Croatia.
“We’ll take it game by game. Everyone will give 100 per cent. We’re excited and can’t wait to get started.”
Croatia face the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, followed by Costa Rica on Sunday. All group matches are being played across eight venues in Al Rayyan.
The top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed sides, will progress to the round of 16. The knockout stage draw will be finalised once all group matches are complete.
Za nekoliko minuta počinje utakmica Hrvatske i Senegala na #U17WC! 🇭🇷🇸🇳
Dečki, sretno! 🔥#Obitelj #PokažiSrce pic.twitter.com/S5WDprG0wW
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) November 3, 2025
Players eligible to compete are those born on or after 1 January 2008. Within the Croatian football system, these players fall under the category of first-year juniors, sitting between the cadet (2009 and younger) and junior (2007 and younger) levels.