Croatia confirm Brazil and Colombia friendlies in the United States

Croatian fans

The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) has confirmed two high-profile international friendly matches for the national team, with Croatia set to face Colombia and Brazil in the United States this March.

As part of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Vatreni will travel to Orlando, Florida, where they will take part in the international friendly series titled “Road to 26”.

Alongside Croatia, the tournament will also feature Brazil, Colombia and France.

Croatia will first take on Colombia on 26 March, before facing Brazil on 31 March, with both matches played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Tickets and fan access

Tickets for all four matches in the Road to 26 series will go on general sale on 13 January at 16:00 (CET). Fans can register for exclusive pre-sale access from 8 January at 16:00 (CET) via the official website roadto26.com.

Colombia currently sit 13th in the FIFA world rankings and are the third-highest ranked South American side, behind only Argentina and Brazil. Like Croatia, Colombia will make their seventh appearance at a World Cup in 2026. They finished third in South American qualifying, ahead of Brazil and behind Argentina and Ecuador.

Brazil, meanwhile, remain the most successful nation in World Cup history, having won the tournament five times and having appeared at every World Cup to date.

Dalić: “The best test of where we stand”

Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalić welcomed the opportunity to face elite opposition just months before the World Cup.

“I am pleased that we have arranged such strong matches for March because they will give us the clearest picture of our form three months before the World Cup and show us what we need to focus on during preparations,” Dalić said.

“We also use this March window to strengthen team unity and atmosphere, so it is good that we will be based in one location, experience a bit of America and play against teams with different styles to the European opponents we usually face.

“Brazil are always among the strongest teams in the world and have only one ambition – to win the World Cup. Colombia are also an excellent side and finished ahead of Brazil in qualifying. These are two big challenges, and we have the quality to respond.”

Croatia’s history against Brazil and Colombia

Croatia have faced Brazil five times previously. The most memorable encounter came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when Croatia famously eliminated Brazil on penalties in the quarter-finals.

Their first meeting took place in Split in 2005 and ended in a 1–1 draw. Brazil won 1–0 at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, 3–1 at the opening match of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and 2–0 in a friendly in Liverpool in 2018.

Croatia have never previously played Colombia, making the March fixture a first-ever meeting between the two nations.

HNS president Marijan Kustić emphasised the importance of facing world-class opponents ahead of major tournaments.

“We know that before big competitions, coach Dalić likes to face strong teams to properly assess where we stand,” Kustić said.

“I am delighted we have managed to organise two outstanding matches in Orlando. Brazil and Colombia are among the world’s best, and the fact that Brazil chose France and Croatia as opponents speaks volumes about our status in world football.

“These matches will also allow us to experience the environment and atmosphere in the United States, which was one of our key goals for the March camp.”

Match schedule (local times)

Thursday, 26 March
16:00 – Brazil vs France (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough)
19:30 – Colombia vs Croatia (Camping World Stadium, Orlando)

Sunday, 29 March
15:00 – Colombia vs France (Northwest Stadium, Landover)

Tuesday, 31 March
20:00 – Brazil vs Croatia (Camping World Stadium, Orlando)