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Croatia the only nation with medals in football, handball & waterpolo world cups

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Croatian handball team win silver (Photo credit © Jozo Cabraja / kolektiff)

Croatia has once again demonstrated how it punches above its weight on the world sports stage by achieving a unique and remarkable feat.

After winning the silver medal last night in the world handball championship, Croatia is currently the only nation to have secured medals in the most recent World Cups of football, handball, and water polo.

World Champions in Water Polo

In February 2024, the Croatian men’s water polo team clinched the gold medal at the World Water Polo Championships in Doha. They triumphed over Italy in a thrilling final, winning 15-13 after a penalty shootout.

This victory marked Croatia’s third world champion title, having previously won in Melbourne in 2007 and Budapest in 2017.

Croatia are world water polo champions again

(Photo credit: HVS/Giorgio Scala/DBM)

Silver Medalists in Handball

The Croatian handball team won silver at the 2025 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship. Despite a valiant effort, Croatia fell to the Danes with a score of 32-26, securing the silver medal.

(Photo credit © Jure Erzen / kolektiff)

Bronze in Football

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Croatia secured third place by defeating Morocco in the playoff for third and fourth. This accomplishment added another chapter to Croatia’s impressive football history, following their runner-up finish in 2018 and bronze in 1998.

None of the other 194 countries in the world have managed to secure a medal in all three of these team sports’ most recent World Cups.

With a population of just over 3.8 million, Croatia continues to produce world-class athletes and teams, inspiring admiration and respect worldwide.

How tiny Croatia punches above its weight in world sport.

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