PM visits Croatia team ahead of FIFA World Cup departure 

(Photo credit: Drago Sopta/HNS)

RIJEKA, 6 June 2026 – Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković visited the Croatian national football team in Rijeka to offer his support ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The Prime Minister and his delegation were welcomed by Croatian Football Federation (HNS) president Marijan Kustić, head coach Zlatko Dalić, technical director Stipe Pletikosa and deputy general secretary Iva Olivari.

During the visit, Plenković met with the players and coaching staff, congratulating them on their successful qualification campaign and wishing them good luck for the tournament ahead.

Addressing the squad, the Prime Minister noted that Croatia’s silver and bronze medals at previous World Cups had raised expectations among supporters, while expressing confidence that the team is capable of delivering another strong performance on football’s biggest stage.

He said the upcoming tournament represented another opportunity for a talented generation of Croatian footballers to demonstrate their emotion, strength and unity, while creating memorable moments for fans across the country.

Plenković also reiterated the Croatian Government’s support for the national team and highlighted the strong cooperation between the Government and the Croatian Football Federation.

He noted that construction of the federation’s future football camp is progressing and underlined the importance of sport in Croatia.

As part of the visit, Croatia captain Luka Modrić presented the Prime Minister with a national team shirt signed by all members of the squad.

(Photo credit: Drago Sopta/HNS)

On behalf of the federation and the national team, HNS president Marijan Kustić thanked Plenković for his continued support ahead of the World Cup.

Kustić said he was pleased that the Prime Minister plans to attend one of Croatia’s group-stage matches and expressed hope that he would also be able to support the team in the later stages of the competition.

He also announced that the national team would visit the construction site of the future HNS football camp in Velika Gorica later in the day to view the progress of the project firsthand.

Kustić thanked the Croatian Government for its significant contribution to the development of the camp, adding that the facility is expected to be officially opened next year.