Croatian national football team arrives in Washington D.C. for World Cup

The Croatian national football team has landed in the United States ahead of the World Cup, arriving at Dulles Airport in Washington D.C. The squad, known as the Vatreni, is set to begin their tournament journey with a match against England on June 17. Following their arrival, the team will proceed to Alexandria, Virginia, which will serve as their base camp throughout the group stage of the competition.

The players are expected to check into the Aka Hotel in Alexandria around 11 p.m. Croatian time. Their arrival is anticipated by a small contingent of Croatian fans residing in the Washington D.C. area. Among those present are Vlado and Luken Hrkač, a father and son duo with roots in Slavonski Brod, Croatia, who now live in Washington.

Young Luken Hrkač has a special birthday wish. He celebrates his birthday on Friday, June 12, and hopes to receive an autograph from the Croatian captain, Luka Modrić, on his jersey. The team's arrival marks the beginning of their World Cup campaign, with high expectations from their supporters both in Croatia and abroad.