Croatia socca football team begins World Cup campaign in Essen

The Croatian national socca football team has arrived in Essen, Germany, to compete in the Socca World Cup, which runs from late August to early September 2026. The team aims to secure a medal following a strong recent history, including a bronze medal at the 2024 World Cup in Oman and multiple podium finishes at European championships between 2023 and 2025.

Croatia is placed in Group G alongside Afghanistan, Peru, and Italy. Their tournament begins with a match against Afghanistan at a stadium located at Kennedyplatz in the center of Essen. Player Duje Medak noted that while the team seeks to redeem themselves after a disappointing performance at the European Championship in Tirana, they have refreshed the squad with new talent to pursue a top finish.