Croatia vs Japan: World Cup head-to-head record
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Croatia holds a slight edge over Japan in World Cup encounters with 1 win and 2 draws across their 3 meetings between 1998 and 2022, while Japan has never beaten Croatia at a World Cup. The head-to-head record shows Croatia won once (1998), drew twice (2006, 2022), with Japan securing 0 victories in regulation time.
Their most recent clash came in the 2022 World Cup Round of 16, where Croatia advanced 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, highlighting the competitive nature of this matchup despite Croatia's technical superiority on paper.
Complete World Cup Meeting History
The three World Cup encounters between these nations span nearly 25 years of football history. Croatia's 1-0 victory in 1998 remains their only regulation-time win, achieved during Japan's second-ever World Cup appearance. The 2006 meeting ended goalless, while their 2022 Round of 16 thriller saw Croatia advance despite Japan taking the lead.
Readers tracking future encounters can follow live scores and build tournament brackets on Bola 2026 as both nations aim to qualify for the expanded 2026 World Cup format.
| Year | Stage | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Group Stage (Matchday 2) | Japan 0-1 Croatia | Croatia Win |
| 2006 | Group Stage (Matchday 10) | Japan 0-0 Croatia | Draw |
| 2022 | Round of 16 | Japan 1-1 Croatia (pens 1-3) | Croatia Win (penalties) |
Frequently asked questions
Has Japan ever beaten Croatia at a World Cup?
No, Japan has never defeated Croatia in World Cup competition across their 3 meetings, with Croatia winning once and 2 matches ending in draws.
When did Croatia and Japan first meet at a World Cup?
Croatia and Japan first met at the 1998 World Cup in France, with Croatia winning 1-0 in a group stage match on Matchday 2.
What happened in the Croatia vs Japan 2022 World Cup match?
Japan led 1-1 after regulation time but Croatia won 3-1 on penalties in the Round of 16, eliminating Japan from the tournament.