World Cup sparks surge in Croatian citizenship enquiries among diaspora

(Photo credit: Bruno Correia/Public domain)

As Croatia continues to capture global attention during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, growing numbers of people with Croatian heritage are exploring whether they are eligible for Croatian citizenship by descent.

According to CroatianByDescent.com, a company which personally navigates the process of obtaining Croatian citizenship through ancestry, the tournament is proving to be more than just football for many in the diaspora. 

“The World Cup has sparked conversations about identity, family history, and a deeper sense of belonging. We’re seeing a noticeable rise in leads from individuals looking to apply for Croatian Citizenship by Descent for them and their families,” they told us.

Croatian supporters have once again created an unmissable presence at the tournament, filling host cities with seas of red-and-white chequers and attracting attention from football fans around the world.

The visibility of Croatia on the global stage appears to be encouraging many people to reconnect with their Croatian roots.

CroatianByDescent.com says many enquiries have come from people whose interest in their family heritage has been reignited by the national team’s success and international profile.

The company has also seen interest from younger people involved in football who see Croatian citizenship as a way to strengthen their connection with the country and potentially pursue opportunities in Croatian football.

One enquiry came from a family whose nephew hopes to continue his football career in Croatia.

“My nephew is looking to go play soccer in Croatia and we would like him to get Croatian citizenship so it makes it easier for him to move and play in Croatia,” the enquiry stated.

Another prospective client from the United States contacted the company shortly before Croatia’s World Cup match against Panama, writing: “Am interested in seeing if I can be eligible to get citizenship. Let’s talk on Monday. There’s a big game on Tuesday, our Vatreni.”

With Croatia set to face Portugal on Friday morning Croatian time, further success in the tournament could generate additional interest, particularly among Croatian communities in the United States and elsewhere, as more people explore their family history and eligibility for Croatian citizenship.

Under the Law on Croatian Citizenship, descendants of Croatian nationals may be eligible to obtain Croatian citizenship by descent if they can demonstrate an uninterrupted family connection to a Croatian ancestor.

Croatia primarily grants citizenship based on the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood), meaning eligibility is determined by ancestry rather than place of birth or current nationality.

Applicants may qualify if they have a Croatian parent, grandparent or great-grandparent, or in some cases a more distant ancestor, who was born in present-day Croatia or was an ethnic Croat who emigrated before 8 October 1991.

For applicants in the diaspora, most applications are submitted through Croatian consulates.

The process generally involves confirming eligibility, gathering official birth, marriage and, where applicable, death certificates to establish the family line, obtaining apostilles or legalisation where required, arranging certified Croatian translations, submitting the application through the relevant Croatian consulate, and waiting for the application to be processed.

While individuals can apply independently, some choose to seek professional legal assistance to assess eligibility, obtain historical records from Croatian archives and parishes, resolve documentation issues and prepare supporting legal explanations where necessary.