Croatia's national football team has arrived in the United States as preparations enter their final stage ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
After a flight of almost ten hours from Zagreb, the team touched down safely at Washington Dulles International Airport, officially beginning their stay in North America for the tournament.
Croatia will be based in Alexandria, Virginia, during the group stage of the World Cup. The location was selected by the Croatian Football Federation and head coach Zlatko Dalić after reviewing more than 60 potential base camps across the United States.
The squad will stay at the newly opened AKA Alexandria hotel, while daily training sessions will be held at the state-of-the-art facilities of Episcopal High School. Widely regarded as one of the leading private schools in the United States, the complex offers high-quality training pitches, fitness facilities and recovery areas designed to meet the demands of elite athletes.
The choice of Alexandria places the Croatian team within easy reach of Washington, D.C., while providing a quieter environment away from the spotlight as players focus on their World Cup preparations.
Croatia's tournament begins with a heavyweight clash against England in Dallas on June 17. The team will then travel to Toronto to face Panama on June 24 before concluding their Group D campaign against Ghana in Philadelphia on June 27.
With memories of recent World Cup success still fresh, including a runners-up finish in 2018 and third place in 2022, expectations remain high for Zlatko Dalić's side. Led by a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talent, Croatia will once again aim to challenge the world's best on football's biggest stage.