To highlight their consistency, this will be Croatia's third successive appearance at the World Cup Finals.
Croatia's two main strikers have strong links with British football - Bosko Balaban, who failed to impress at Aston Villa, and Dado Prso who is one of the most prolific strikers in Scotland for Rangers.
Manager Zlatko Kranjcar has included his son Niko – one of the few Croatian-based player who regularly features for the national side - in his squad.
Manager: Zlatko Kranjcar
One to watch: Igor Tudor
World ranking: 23
Previous tournaments: 2
Best finish: Third place (1998)