Canada and Croatia eye new opportunities as 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations begin in Zagreb

ZAGREB, 17 March 2026 – Canada and Croatia are looking to deepen cooperation across sport, tourism and business as preparations for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup gather momentum.

The Embassy of Canada in Croatia, in partnership with the Croatian Chamber of Economy, hosted an event in Zagreb bringing together representatives from government, business and the sporting world to explore new opportunities for collaboration between the two countries.

The gathering marked the beginning of activities linked to the tournament, which will take place from 11 June to 19 July 2026 and will be jointly hosted by Canada, United States and Mexico.

Opening the event, Canada’s Ambassador to Croatia, Jessica Blitt, highlighted the broader significance of the global tournament.

She said the World Cup represents far more than a sporting competition, describing it as a global gathering capable of bringing countries, cultures and communities together.

“For Canada, this is an opportunity to connect, to create new possibilities for cultural exchange, economic growth and stronger partnerships with countries such as Croatia,” Blitt said.

She also referenced the vision of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, which focuses on building stronger networks in trade, investment and culture, while deepening cooperation with trusted international partners.

Blitt also noted that the Croatian national football team will play in Toronto on 23 June 2026, welcoming fans from across the world.

The keynote address was delivered by Berry Vrbanovic, mayor of the Canadian city of Kitchener, who was born in Zagreb.

Vrbanovic emphasised the long-standing human connections between the two countries, highlighting the role of sport in building relationships between cultures and communities.

He said Canada’s co-hosting of the World Cup presents a strong opportunity not only for Canada but also for cities like Kitchener to expand economic and social ties with international partners.

Economic cooperation in focus

Representing the Croatian Chamber of Economy, Secretary General Marina Rožić pointed to growing economic cooperation between the two countries.

She noted that major sporting events such as the World Cup create opportunities that extend far beyond sport, opening the door for new ideas, partnerships and business opportunities.

“Our aim is to turn the energy of sport into concrete economic cooperation,” Rožić said.

Croatia’s Minister of Tourism and Sport, Tonči Glavina, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the significance of the tournament for Croatia and its diaspora in Canada.

He noted the strong interest in Croatia’s match against Panama in Toronto, where more than 60,000 fans are expected to attend.

Speaking on behalf of the Croatian Football Federation, spokesperson Tomislav Pacak said Toronto is likely to offer one of the best atmospheres of the tournament.

Following the opening remarks, a panel discussion explored opportunities for cooperation across sport, tourism and business.

Participants included Vrbanovic, Katarina Šiber Makar of Constellation Software and Zlatko Novaković from Zagrebačka pivovara.

The panel discussed how the global tournament could drive innovation, investment and international partnerships.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in the competition’s history, featuring 48 national teams and 104 matches played across North America.

Canada will host 13 matches in Toronto and Vancouver, with organisers expecting around one million international visitors.

As highlighted during the Zagreb event, the tournament represents not only a major sporting milestone but also a unique opportunity to strengthen relations between Canada and Croatia while creating long-term partnerships across multiple sectors.