During major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, stadiums and fan zones often echo with songs and chants that have become part of the identity of the Croatian national team.
Croatian supporters are known for their red-and-white checkered shirts, but Croatian football songs and chants have been just as recognisable for decades. Some are heard inside stadiums, others in fan zones and cafés, while some have become an almost unavoidable part of every major Croatian victory.
What do Croatia fans sing at soccer matches?
Unlike some countries that rely heavily on short football chants, Croatian fan culture often combines simple stadium chants with well-known songs that most supporters know by heart.
At matches, you will most often hear simple chants such as “Hrvatska! Hrvatska!” (“Croatia! Croatia!”) or “Ajmo Hrvatska!” (“Let’s Go Croatia!”), but also famous songs that bring thousands of people together in song.
We have already explained the phrases and soccer chants Croatian fans use, what they mean and how to pronounce them, so if you would like to join in, read: Let’s Go Croatia in Croatian: Football Phrases Every Vatreni Fan Should Know.
Neka pati koga smeta (Let those who don’t like it suffer)
The song Neka pati koga smeta, released by Baruni ahead of the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, quickly found a place in Croatian hearts and remains a football fan favourite to this day.
The lyrics “Neka pati koga smeta, Hrvatska je prvak svijeta. Neka samo suze rone, mi imamo šampione” echoed around stadiums as Croatia moved closer to the semi-finals. At that tournament, Croatia achieved a legendary third-place finish that placed the country among the elite of world football.
The famous refrain can be roughly translated as:
“Let those who don’t like it suffer, Croatia are world champions. Let them shed their tears, we are the champions.”
Another memorable part of the song is the line “Ćiro majstore”, which roughly means “Ćiro, you legend”, dedicated to legendary Croatian coach Miroslav Ćiro Blažević, the man who led Croatia to the greatest football achievement in its history up to that point.
Srce vatreno (Fiery heart)
Probably the most famous and popular soccer song associated with the Croatian national team, Srce vatreno was released ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
The song was created by Zaprešić Boys and Croatian rapper Nered. It became especially popular during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when it was frequently played after Croatian goals and victories.
Zaprešić Boys are also responsible for other well-known Croatia football songs, including Neopisivo and Samo je jedno.
For many younger fans, Srce vatreno is the first song that comes to mind when they think of the Croatian national team.
Malo nas je, al’ nas ima (We may be few, but we’re here)
Recorded by Dino Dvornik and Boris Novković in 2004, Malo nas je al’ nas ima is one of the most recognisable Croatian soccer songs.
The song playfully references successful Croatian athletes and public figures, while its famous refrain says:
“We may be few, but we’re here. It won’t be easy, we’ll shatter everyone’s dreams.”
The song plays on the fact that Croatia has fewer than four million inhabitants, yet continues to achieve remarkable sporting and other successes.
It quickly became one of Croatia’s most popular fan songs and can still be heard during major tournaments today.
Zovi, samo zovi (Just call us)
One of the songs that frequently rings out from Croatian stands is Zovi, samo zovi.
The song originates from the patriotic song Oj Hrvatska mati (Oh Mother Croatia). Its author is unknown and it dates back to the 19th century.
It is a patriotic awakening song that expresses loyalty to the homeland through lyrics such as:
“Oj, Hrvatska mati, nemoj tugovati, za mir, za slobodu hrvatskom narodu život ćemo dati”
which translates roughly as:
“Oh Mother Croatia, do not grieve. For peace and freedom for the Croatian people, we will give our lives.”
Although it is not a football song, this song has held a special place in Croatian fan culture for decades and is often sung during major sporting events.
Moja domovina (My homeland)
Moja domovina was created at the beginning of the Croatian War of Independence in 1991 and was performed by Hrvatski Band Aid, a project that brought together dozens of Croatia’s best-known musicians of the time.
The song was written as a message of hope and unity during one of the most difficult periods in Croatian history.
Unlike most songs on this list, Moja domovina was not originally created as a football or soccer song. However, because of its powerful emotional connection to Croatian identity, it gradually became an essential part of celebrating major sporting achievements.
Its emotional message and strong connection to Croatian identity have made it one of the most important songs in Croatia, often heard during major national celebrations, sporting events and moments of collective pride.
Večeras je naša fešta (Tonight is our celebration)
When Croatia wins, celebrations often move from the stadium to city squares, streets and cafés.
In those moments, one of the songs most frequently heard is Večeras je naša fešta, a song released by Tomislav Ivčić in 1986.
It is one of Croatia’s most popular celebration songs and is especially beloved in Dalmatia.
During the 2018 World Cup, the song enjoyed a major revival among supporters celebrating Croatia’s historic run to the final.
Hrvatska! Hrvatska! (Croatia! Croatia!)
Although many songs are sung during matches, the simplest and most common Croatian football chant heard in stadiums is: “Hrvatska! Hrvatska!”
Thousands of supporters chant it together after big chances, goals or whenever the national team needs an extra boost of support.
If you are a foreign fan looking to join the atmosphere, this is the easiest Croatian football chant to learn.
More than football songs
For Croatian supporters, these songs are much more than entertainment inside a stadium. They represent unity, identity and the emotions that accompany the national team through its greatest sporting moments.
Whether you are watching a match in a stadium, a fan zone or from home, there is a good chance you will hear at least some of the songs and chants that have become synonymous with the Vatreni.
