Croatia return to the FIFA World Cup 2026 as one of Europe’s most consistent overachievers. The Vatreni finished runners-up at Russia 2018 and claimed third place at Qatar 2022, and head into Group L in North America with Luka Modrić leading the squad for a historic fifth World Cup appearance.
In Croatia, FIFA World Cup 2026 matches are broadcast free to air on HRT (Hrvatska Radiotelevizija) via HRT1 and HRT2, with live streaming through the free HRTi platform. Fans outside Croatia will find HRT geoblocked, making a reliable free alternative essential.
The fastest free solution for Croatian fans abroad is ITVX, the UK streaming platform that carries all 104 tournament matches at no cost. PureVPN connected to a UK server allows to access ITVX and watch FIFA World Cup 2026 Croatia Matches Live from anywhere in the world.
Why Do You Need VPN to Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 Croatia Matches
ITVX offers free FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage, but it is only available to viewers in the United Kingdom. If you try to access ITVX from Croatia, the platform will block the stream due to regional broadcasting restrictions.
A VPN helps you access the service by changing your virtual location. PureVPN lets you connect to a UK server and obtain a UK IP address, allowing ITVX to recognize your connection as being in the UK.
With high-speed UK servers optimized for streaming, PureVPN provides a reliable way to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 Croatia Matches on ITVX from anywhere.
Where to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 in Croatia on TV
In Croatia, HRT (Hrvatska Radiotelevizija) holds exclusive broadcast rights through the European Broadcasting Union deal.
HRT1 and HRT2 carry the matches free to air, and live streaming is available on HRTi the broadcaster’s free platform accessible via browser or mobile app. All coverage is in Croatian, spanning all 104 tournament matches.
Where to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 in Croatia for Free
The simplest free way to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 Croatia matches from anywhere is to stream on ITVX through a PureVPN UK server. ITVX carries every one of the 104 tournament matches at no cost and asks only for a free account.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Croatia Group Stage Schedule
| Match | Date (IST) | Time (IST) | Venue |
| England vs Croatia | Thursday, June 18, 2026 | 01:30 AM | ATT Stadium, Dallas |
| Panama vs Croatia | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 04:30 AM | BMO Field, Toronto |
| Croatia vs Ghana | Saturday, June 27, 2026 | 08:30 AM | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
FIFA World Cup 2026: The Biggest Football Tournament in History
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition now consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament will advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, the 2026 World Cup will last 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Date | Day | Match |
|---|---|---|
| June 12, 2026 | Friday | Mexico vs South Africa |
| June 12, 2026 | Friday | South Korea vs Czechia |
| June 13, 2026 | Saturday | Canada vs Bosnia-Herzegovina |
| June 13, 2026 | Saturday | United States vs Paraguay |
| June 14, 2026 | Sunday | Qatar vs Switzerland |
| June 14, 2026 | Sunday | Brazil vs Morocco |
| June 14, 2026 | Sunday | Haiti vs Scotland |
| June 14, 2026 | Sunday | Australia vs Türkiye |
| June 14, 2026 | Sunday | Germany vs Curaçao |
| June 15, 2026 | Monday | Netherlands vs Japan |
| June 15, 2026 | Monday | Ivory Coast vs Ecuador |
| June 15, 2026 | Monday | Sweden vs Tunisia |
| June 15, 2026 | Monday | Spain vs Cape Verde |
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in FIFA World Cup 2026
There will be 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where these games will take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match is especially historic. The tournament kicks off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has been rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the event in order to comply with FIFA’s corporate name policy.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed the 2026 World Cup final will have a half-time show. Coldplay will be involved in putting together the event at MetLife Stadium, in a move inspired by the NFL’s Super Bowl.
The Stars to Watch in FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Prize Money and Commercial Scale for FIFA World Cup 2026
The prize money for the 2026 World Cup was confirmed at a FIFA Council meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended World Cup with 3.6 million fans. But that record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
FIFA World Cup 2026 official broadcasters
Here’s a list of the official broadcasters for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2026 in different countries across the world.
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 FIFA World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is more than a football tournament, it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Croatia FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad
| # | POS | Player Name | Club | Height (cm) |
| 1 | GK | Dominik Livaković | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | 188 |
| 2 | DF | Josip Stanišić | FC Bayern München (GER) | 186 |
| 3 | DF | Marin Pongračić | ACF Fiorentina (ITA) | 193 |
| 4 | DF | Joško Gvardiol | Manchester City FC (ENG) | 185 |
| 5 | DF | Duje Ćaleta-Car | Real Sociedad (ESP) | 193 |
| 6 | DF | Josip Šutalo | AFC Ajax (NED) | 185 |
| 7 | MF | Nikola Moro | Bologna FC (ITA) | 183 |
| 8 | MF | Mateo Kovačić | Manchester City FC (ENG) | 178 |
| 9 | FW | Andrej Kramarić | TSG Hoffenheim (GER) | 177 |
| 10 | MF | Luka Modrić | AC Milan (ITA) | 172 |
| 11 | FW | Ante Budimir | CA Osasuna (ESP) | 190 |
| 12 | GK | Ivor Pandur | Hull City FC (ENG) | 187 |
| 13 | MF | Nikola Vlašić | Torino FC (ITA) | 179 |
| 14 | FW | Ivan Perišić | PSV Eindhoven (NED) | 186 |
| 15 | MF | Mario Pašalić | Atalanta Bergamo (ITA) | 188 |
| 16 | MF | Martin Baturina | Como (ITA) | 172 |
| 17 | MF | Petar Sučić | FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) | 183 |
| 18 | DF | Kristijan Jakić | FC Augsburg (GER) | 181 |
| 19 | MF | Toni Fruk | HNK Rijeka (CRO) | 177 |
| 20 | FW | Igor Matanović | SC Freiburg (GER) | 194 |
| 21 | MF | Luka Sučić | Real Sociedad (ESP) | 185 |
| 22 | DF | Luka Vušković | Hamburger SV (GER) | 193 |
| 23 | GK | Dominik Kotarski | FC København (DEN) | 190 |
| 24 | FW | Marco Pašalić | Orlando City SC (USA) | 177 |
| 25 | DF | Martin Erlić | FC Midtjylland (DEN) | 192 |
| 26 | FW | Petar Musa | FC Dallas (USA) | 190 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The tournament will be hosted across United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature 48 national teams for the first time in tournament history.
The expanded tournament format will include 104 matches.
The competition will include 12 groups with knockout rounds following the group stage.
Argentina national football team won the previous FIFA World Cup.
Tickets will be available through the official FIFA website
Yes. You can watch FIFA World Cup 2026 Croatia matches for free on ITVX by connecting to a UK server with PureVPN. ITVX streams every tournament match at no cost and needs only a free account.
In Croatia, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is shown by HRT on HRT1 and HRT2, with live streaming available through the free HRTi platform.
Using a VPN is legal in Croatia and in most countries around the world. Fans should review the terms of service of the str
