The Croatia national football team has chosen Alexandria as its base during the 2026 World Cup. The team will stay at the AKA Hotel located at 625 First Street in Old Town and will train at Episcopal High School. The World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. HNS representatives selected Alexandria after analyzing over 60 locations and touring eight potential camps in the northeastern U.S. and Canada. Head Coach Zlatko Dalić and his staff unanimously agreed that Alexandria was the best choice. Technical Director Stipe Pletikosa emphasized that Alexandria offers the best combination of an excellent training center and a comfortable hotel, along with proximity to the airport. In a social media video, Mayor Alyia Gaskins expressed excitement about the arrival of HNS and plans to host a series of events in the city. HNS also praised the AKA Hotel for its positive reviews and close proximity to Reagan National Airport. Episcopal High School offers top-notch training facilities, including fitness and recovery areas. Dalić highlighted that all factors, including privacy and surroundings, were crucial in choosing Alexandria as their base. Alexandria is expected to remain a fond memory, just like the camps in Russia and Doha.