The Croatian national soccer team is set to arrive in Dallas this afternoon ahead of their World Cup match against England, scheduled for Wednesday at Dallas Stadium.
Prior to the game, Croatian fans will celebrate with a parade through Downtown Dallas, proudly displaying a massive flag that spans approximately the size of a football field. One enthusiastic supporter, traveling from afar for the event, expressed excitement about the gathering of fans, anticipating an array of red and white checkered shirts, a hallmark of Croatian football culture.
The team is expected to land at Love Field around 5 p.m. today, having traveled from their base camp in northern Virginia. They will spend the night in a local hotel before the highly anticipated match.
This game marks Croatia’s inaugural appearance in the 2026 World Cup tournament. The matchup is expected to be a highlight of the group stage, especially given Croatia’s previous victory over England in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup, though England has triumphed in their last two competitive encounters.
Many fans, including Ante Kvartuc, are eager to witness the event. Kvartuc, who is attending his first World Cup, is optimistic about the turnout of the Croatian diaspora, which numbers around 1.2 million in the United States. He emphasizes the significance of this gathering on American soil, calling this World Cup “very attractive and sexy.”
Kvartuc also noted the impressive conduct of Croatian fans, who are known as the Blazers, and drew comparisons to the exemplary behavior displayed by Dutch and Japanese supporters during the opening match at Dallas Stadium. “Everyone’s on their best behavior, representing their cultures and their heritage,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, fans will kick off their celebratory parade on Tuesday at 7:15 p.m., starting near Civic Garden on Main Street and concluding at Ferris Plaza Park on Houston Street.
The match between Croatia and England is set to begin at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at Dallas Stadium, promising an exciting event for fans and players alike.
