{"id":232908,"date":"2026-06-16T08:27:21","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T12:27:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/?p=232908"},"modified":"2026-06-16T11:07:06","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T15:07:06","slug":"alexandria-croatia-world-cup-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/alexandria-croatia-world-cup-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Alexandria Welcomes Croatia\u2019s National Soccer Team for the 2026 World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"custom_featured_image\" style=\"display:none;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/alexandria-croatia-soccer--800x533.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"alexandria croatia soccer\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/alexandria-croatia-soccer--800x533.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/alexandria-croatia-soccer--768x511.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/alexandria-croatia-soccer--585x390.png 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/alexandria-croatia-soccer--263x175.png 263w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/alexandria-croatia-soccer-.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/div><div id=\"custom_category\" style=\"display:none;\">welcome mat <\/div><p>World Cup fever has arrived in Alexandria. Croatia\u2019s national soccer team is using the Northern Virginia city as its home base during <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/world-cup-watch-northern-virginia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the 2026 tournament<\/a>, and Old Town businesses are marking the occasion with special promotions, themed events, Croatian wine tastings, and places to watch the matches. <strong>Read on for more about how to get into the spirit of the tournament &#8211; with a Croatian twist. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-232924\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/alexandria-croatia-soccer-.png\" alt=\"alexandria croatia soccer\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/alexandria-croatia-soccer-.png 1000w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/alexandria-croatia-soccer--800x533.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/alexandria-croatia-soccer--768x511.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/alexandria-croatia-soccer--585x390.png 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/alexandria-croatia-soccer--263x175.png 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>From Croatia to Alexandria&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The Croatian Football Federation, the governing body of the Croatian men\u2019s national soccer team, picked Alexandria as its top spot out of 60 possible North American cities to be its home base for the tournament. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Croatia\u2019s technical director, Stipe Pletikosa, team manager, Iva Olivari, and spokesperson, Tomislav Pacak, narrowed their options to eight spots. After the coaching staff reviewed the information, Alexandria emerged as the top pick.&nbsp; <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Croatia\u2019s team manager Iva Olivari said, \u201cWe thoroughly analysed more than 60 potential base camps before the draw, and after learning the match locations we created a shortlist of camps that met our criteria, which we then visited in person and studied in detail,\u201d per <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hns.team\/en\/news\/30508\/alexandria-to-host-croatia-during-the-fifa-world-cup-2026\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HNS<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Croatia\u2019s Technical Director Stipe Pletikosa said, \u201cAlexandria offers us the best combination of an excellent training centre and a comfortable hotel with immediate proximity to the airport and good geographical position in relation to the cities where we will play our group stage matches,\u201d per <a href=\"https:\/\/hns.team\/en\/news\/30508\/alexandria-to-host-croatia-during-the-fifa-world-cup-2026\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HNS<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Croatian team is staying at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayaka.com\/hotel-aka-alexandria\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AKA Hotel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, located at 625 First Street, and using <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalhighschool.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Episcopal High School<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, located at 1200 N Quaker Lane, Alexandria, as its training grounds before matches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Read more:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/meowtown-cat-lounge-mclean-va\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Meow Town Cat Lounge in McLean Blends Cat Rescue With Inclusive Employment<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>The drive from AKA Hotel to Episcopal High School is 15 minutes, and as we all know, DCA is another 15 minutes, so the location is about as central as it could be for the team&#8217;s needs. Episcopal&#8217;s athletic facilities include a running track, cardiovascular training equipment, gym equipment, and high-end recovery facilities that have hydrotherapy, cryotherapy, electrical stimulation, and ultrasounds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Out of the 48 teams starting the tournament, 39 have home bases in the US, per <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.fifa.com\/organisation\/media-releases\/world-cup-2026-team-base-camps-tbc-48-nations-usa-mexico-canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FIFA<\/a>. Episcopal High School is listed as a training facility next to several college and professional facilities, including several MLS stadiums.&nbsp;<br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Locals React<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Alexandria\u2019s Mayor Alyia Gaskins said, \u201cAlexandria is thrilled to welcome Croatia\u2019s national football team to our vibrant city,\u201d per a <a href=\"https:\/\/visitalexandria.com\/press-releases\/alexandria-virginia-to-serve-as-team-base-camp-for-croatia-national-football-team-ahead-of-the-fifa-world-cup-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">City of Alexandria Press Release<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The festivities began on June 6th with a Celebrate Croatia event, with Croatian music and food, hosted by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriava.gov\/news-citywide\/2026-05-26\/celebrate-croatia-in-alexandria-at-a-free-community-celebration\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">City of Alexandria<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>At a June 10th <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriabrief.com\/world-cup-comes-to-alexandria-croatia-opens-base-camp-before-hundreds-of-local-kids\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ceremony<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Mayor Alyia Gaskins gave Croatian Football Federation Technical Director Stipe Pletikosa a bowl and City of Alexandria coins to everyone on the Croatia national team, in exchange for Croatia\u2019s jersey with Modric on the back as a start of a bond between Croatia and Alexandria. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic said, \u201cWe feel very welcome here,\u201d per <\/span><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriabrief.com\/croatia-settles-into-alexandria-base-camp-we-feel-very-welcome-here\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Alexandria Brief<\/span><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DZd8PUXFjvw\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DZd8PUXFjvw\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Alyia Gaskins (@alyia4alx)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Wednesday, June 10th, the Croatian team held an open practice and invited dozens of local youth soccer teams to watch. Hundreds of youth soccer players across different Alexandria leagues participated, according to <em><a href=\"https:\/\/thezebra.org\/2026\/06\/11\/croatia-world-cup-team-alexandria-kids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Zebra<\/a><\/em>.&nbsp; Other youth groups invited included social service groups and community partners, with the goal of including as many children as possible in the event, according to the <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriabrief.com\/world-cup-comes-to-alexandria-croatia-opens-base-camp-before-hundreds-of-local-kids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Alexandria Brief<\/a><\/em>.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DZbXrmnjYkP\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DZbXrmnjYkP\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Police Dept, Alexandria, VA (@alexandriavapd)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>So far, the team has reported enjoying its stay in Alexandria. They&#8217;ll have to come back another time to enjoy all the highlights: the team is only traveling between the hotel and the practice facility, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriabrief.com\/world-cup-comes-to-alexandria-croatia-opens-base-camp-before-hundreds-of-local-kids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The Alexandria Brief.<\/em><\/a> The length of the team&#8217;s stay will be dictated by its tournament performance: once the group stage is over, teams will travel to each match, <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.fifa.com\/organisation\/media-releases\/world-cup-2026-team-base-camps-tbc-48-nations-usa-mexico-canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">per tournament rules.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Croatian team even reported sleeping well after a weekend full of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriabrief.com\/fireworks-flyovers-croatias-players-slept-just-fine-thanks\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fireworks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and festivities. June 13, fireworks were fired up around the Alexandria waterfront as part of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.va250.org\/event-detail\/?id=24316\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sails on the Potomac celebration. <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">June 14th, near the National Mall, fireworks were shot for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ufc.com\/news\/ufc-freedom-250-results-highlights-interviews\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UFC Freedom 250<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> outside the White House for the nation\u2019s 250th anniversary celebrations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>See more:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/cheesetique-cheese-del-ray-northern-virginia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cheesetique in Del Ray Is the Northern Virginia Cheese Destination to Know<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>On June 13th, a reception was hosted in the team&#8217;s honor at the AKA hotel. The private event, Croatia in the Game, was part of an ongoing effort to promote American tourism in Croatia during the tournament. Actor John Malkovich was a guest of honor, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/hns.team\/en\/news\/31311\/vatreni-and-the-leadership-of-the-croatian-football-federation-guests-at-the-event-croatia-in-the-game\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HNS<\/a>. His parents emigrated from Croatia, and he received Croatian citizenship in Zagreb in May 2026, per <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriabrief.com\/john-malkovich-joins-croatian-cultural-showcase-at-teams-alexandria-hotel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Alexandria Brief.<\/a><\/em> He&#8217;s also the star of the country&#8217;s current tourism campaign, &#8220;I Hear It&#8217;s Beautiful.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>What to Know about the Croatian National Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In recent World Cup runs, Croatia in 2022 came in third place after winning against Morocco, 2-1.&nbsp; In its 2018 World Cup run, Croatia came second, losing to France 4-2 in the Final. Croatia odds to win the 2026 World Cup at the moment are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/espn\/betting\/story\/_\/id\/48386952\/espn-soccer-futbol-world-cup-betting-odds-championship-groups\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">90-1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, always subject to change.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Midfielder Luka Modric has the most international appearances, 196, as he enters his <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/story\/_\/id\/48807700\/luka-modric-set-5th-world-cup-part-croatia-squad\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fifth <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Cup. In the2018 runner-up, Modric showed how dominant he was in the World Cup and in winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, leading to him winning the Ballon d\u2019Or.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DZf5HWSiDre\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DZf5HWSiDre\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Hrvatski nogometni savez (@hns_cff)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other key players alongside Modric include Josko Gvardiol, a key defender; Mateo Kovacic, who helps Modric in midfield; and Dominik Livakovic, their goalkeeper who makes saves. A young defender to watch is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7347335\/2026\/06\/12\/luka-vuskovic-brighton-offer-tottenham\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Luka Vuskovic<\/a>, as he makes his World Cup debut.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\nThe team&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team\/fixtures\/_\/id\/477\/league\/FIFA.WORLD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">first tournament match<\/a> in the group stage is on Wednesday, June 17th against England. They will face Panama on Tuesday, June 23rd, and Ghana on June 27th. The team&#8217;s performance in the group stage will dictate when and where they play next.&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0px;\">Local Businesses Celebrating Croatia<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Alexandria&#8217;s Continues Arcade will host <a href=\"https:\/\/www.continuesarcade.com\/events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Team Croatia<\/a> watch parties for all of the games, with food and drink specials.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>From June 14th through June 28th, Shop Old Town Boutiques is hosting \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/oldtownboutiquecommunity.com\/shop-the-checkers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shop the Checkers<\/a>\u201d in honor of Croatia\u2019s signature red-and-white checkerboard pattern. Participating shops will display Croatia flags, offer special deals, and give away OTBC Getter tote bags with minimum purchases while supplies last. Purchase minimums vary by store.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DZGBVSJGhVZ\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DZGBVSJGhVZ\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Old Town Boutique Community (@otboutiques)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/shop529kidsconsign\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">529 Kids Consign<\/a> | 122 South Royal Street, Suite A<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Items in red, white, and blue will be on sale. Shoppers can also receive a free tote with a minimum purchase while supplies last.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/boxwood_oldtown\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Boxwood<\/a> | 1205 King Street<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>From June 20th-21st and June 27th-28th, Boxwood is welcoming Croatian fans with florals, custom charm creations, stationery, tea towels, and postcards. A free tote will be available with a minimum purchase while supplies last.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/elianacurated\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Eliana Curated<\/a> | 1003 King Street<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Wear Croatia\u2019s red, white, or blue colors to receive 10% off from June 14th-28th. Shoppers can also receive a free tote with a minimum purchase while supplies last.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/shopencorealx\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Encore<\/a> | 122A South Royal Street<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Encore will have 10%-20% off red and white items. A free tote will be available with a minimum purchase while supplies last.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/eriesinteriors\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Eries Interiors<\/a> | 101 South Saint Asaph Street<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Eries will host special promotions, plus a sip-and-shop event. Shoppers can also receive a free tote with a minimum purchase while supplies last.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shopmintcondition.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mint Condition<\/a> | 122A South Royal Street<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Mint Condition will have red, white, and blue items on sale in honor of Croatia. A free tote will be available with a minimum purchase while supplies last.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mondayschildclassics\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Monday\u2019s Child<\/a> | 127 South Fairfax Street<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>On June 20th from 10AM-12PM, Monday\u2019s Child will host soccer-themed face painting. From June 14th-28th, shoppers wearing a soccer jersey can receive 40% off one item.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nibstudio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nothing in Between Studio<\/a> | 1306 King Street<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Nothing in Between Studio will offer a free tote with a minimum purchase while supplies last.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/patinapolishedliving\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Patina Polished Living<\/a> | 111 South Columbus Street<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Patina Polished Living will offer discounts on Croatia\u2019s game days: June 17th, June 23rd, and June 27th. Shoppers can also receive a free tote with a minimum purchase while supplies last.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/saracampbellltd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sara Campbell<\/a> | 310 Prince Street<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sara Campbell will offer a free tote with a minimum purchase while supplies last.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/spiceandtea.alexandria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Spice &amp; Tea Exchange of Alexandria<\/a> | 320 King Street<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Spice &amp; Tea Exchange of Alexandria is celebrating with a Croatian-inspired \u201cTaste the Adriatic\u201d feature. Visitors can also check out the shop\u2019s checkered pantry and receive a free tote with a minimum purchase while supplies last.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/winegallery108\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wine Gallery 108<\/a> | 108 North Saint Asaph Street<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Wine Gallery 108 is hosting special Croatian wine tastings before Croatia\u2019s matches, featuring a different selection of Croatian wines each time. It\u2019s a chance to discover a new bottle before cheering on the team. A free tote will also be available with a minimum purchase, while supplies last.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s1\">Follow @thefairfaxgirl on&nbsp;<a class=\"broken_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thefairfaxgirl\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Instagram&nbsp;<\/span><\/a>+&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thefairfaxgirl\"><span class=\"s2\">TikTok<\/span><\/a>&nbsp;for the latest Northern Virginia updates, and check out our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/events\/\"><span class=\"s2\">events calendar<\/span><\/a>, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse. Sign up for our newsletter&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thefairfaxgirl.myflodesk.com\/launch2025\"><span class=\"s3\">here<\/span><\/a><\/span><span class=\"s4\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"categories\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/thefairfaxgirl.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stories<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>welcome mat World Cup fever has arrived in Alexandria. Croatia\u2019s national soccer team is using the Northern Virginia city as its home&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":449,"featured_media":232924,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[9479,7997,9660,9754,9593,9728,9925],"tags":[9702,9743,9770,9755,9771,9845,9928],"class_list":["post-232908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events-news","category-lifestyle","category-news","category-old-town-alexandria","category-local-girl-rss-feed","category-virginia","category-world-cup","tag-lifestyle","tag-northern-virginia","tag-nova","tag-old-town-alexandria","tag-sports","tag-tlg","tag-world-cup"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Alexandria Welcomes Croatia\u2019s National Soccer Team for the 2026 World Cup - The Fairfax Girl<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Croatian men&#039;s soccer team has chosen Alexandria as its home base for the 2026 World Cup. 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