The Croatia national football team held an open training session and press conference in Virginia on June 11th. The event was part of their preparations for the continued qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as reported by www.reutersconnect.com.
The squad trained at the Episcopal High School training centre in Alexandria. Following the session, midfielder Martin Baturina fielded questions from the media. The image from the event was captured by Igor Kralj for PIXSELL/Sipa USA and distributed via Reuters Connect.
How are Croatia preparing for Czechia?
This training camp in the United States is part of the build-up to a crucial away fixture against Czechia on September 26th. Croatia currently sits second in their World Cup qualifying group with six points from three matches. Their record is two wins and one loss, with the most recent defeat a 2-1 loss to Portugal on July 2nd.
The team's form over the last five matches reads three wins and two losses. However, they have lost their last two games, a trend they will be eager to reverse. They have scored five goals and conceded five so far, leaving them with a goal difference of zero. You can track all these statistics on our stats page.
What did Martin Baturina say?
Baturina expressed his pride at being part of the national team set-up during this important phase. "Every call-up to the national team is special and I want to help the team," the player said. He stressed the importance of focusing on the next match and the need for the squad to regroup after recent results.
His comments reflect the general mood in the camp. While the group position and overall results are positive, the defeat to Portugal left a bitter taste. The focus is now squarely on securing a win in Prague to get the qualifying journey back on a positive track. The current squad list is always available on our squad page.
What does the qualifying schedule look like?
The match against Czechia is key to maintaining a position at the top of the group. Following that, Croatia will have several more decisive fixtures in the autumn. They currently hold second place with six points, keeping them in the direct qualification zone, but the margin for error is slim.
The team will need to show greater attacking efficiency and a tighter defence to maintain this pace. Every point will be precious in the fight for a ticket to North America in 2026. For a detailed view of the qualification battle, visit our standings page.
Holding such a public event abroad is also part of a broader strategy. It allows the team to prepare in peace, away from domestic media pressure, while still maintaining a connection with the public and fans worldwide. The next step is now clear: preparation for Czechia and an attempt to break the two-game losing streak with a victory.
