The Croatia national football team held a press conference on Friday, June 12th, 2026, at the training centre of Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia. The event, reported by Reuters Connect, featured players Nikola Vlasic and Mario Pasalic alongside Croatian Football Federation head of communications Tomislav Pacak. The media session marked the conclusion of a training camp in the United States ahead of a important phase of 2026 World Cup qualifying. Croatia currently sits second in their World Cup qualifying group, just one point behind leaders England.
How did the US training camp go?
The preparations in Virginia were vital for building momentum before decisive matches. Tomislav Pacak highlighted how the camp allowed for focused work and the integration of all players into the tactical plan. "The atmosphere is excellent, and the working conditions have been top-notch," Pacak told the assembled media. This preparation period follows Croatia's last official match, a 2-1 loss to Portugal in early July. Despite that result, the team has won three of its last five games.
What is the state of World Cup 2026 qualifying?
Croatia is currently second in their qualifying group, having earned six points from three matches with two wins and one loss. They have scored five goals but also conceded five, resulting in a goal difference of zero. This tight competitive position makes every upcoming fixture critically important. A detailed overview of all results and the standings is available on our standings page. The two consecutive losses, including the one to Portugal, will demand a quick response from the manager and squad.
What's next for the Croatia squad?
Following this media event, the focus shifts to the next official engagement. Croatia's next qualifying match is an away fixture against Czechia on September 26th, 2026. It will be an opportunity to get back to winning ways and strengthen their position in the race for direct qualification to the World Cup. The full schedule of upcoming matches can be followed on the fixtures page. This season's squad list, which includes both Vlasic and Pasalic, can be checked on the squad page.
How is the team handling the pressure?
The experience of players like Nikola Vlasic and Mario Pasalic will be invaluable during this demanding phase of qualifying. Both are part of the team's core aiming to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup. After the press conference, the team departed the training centre in Alexandria to continue individual preparations with their clubs. The next collective training sessions will take place immediately before the trip to Czechia in late September.
