Croatia's National Football Team Departs for World Cup on 10-Hour Flight

The Croatian national football team, nicknamed the 'Vatreni' (Flames), is embarking on their journey to the World Cup, departing from Zagreb on June 9, 2026. Their 10-hour charter flight will take them to Dulles Airport near Washington D.C., from where they will proceed to their base in Alexandria. This location will serve as their home throughout the group stage of the tournament.

The team, led by coach Zlatko Dalić, is preparing for their seventh World Cup appearance. Croatia enters the tournament as the 11th-ranked team globally and as the defending bronze medalists from the 2022 Qatar World Cup. This significant achievement from the previous tournament weighs as a considerable expectation, but the team's extensive tournament experience is seen as a strong asset.

Croatia's World Cup campaign begins on June 17 against England. They will then face Panama on June 24 in Toronto, followed by a match against Ghana on June 27 in Philadelphia. The squad includes prominent players such as Livaković, Stanišić, Pongračić, Gvardiol, and captain Luka Modrić, among others. The team's first open training session is scheduled for June 10, with another planned later, as their final preparations for the tournament commence.