The Nations League match between England and Croatia in Rijeka will occur without a full crowd due to previous crowd disturbances involving Croatian fans. This follows incidents during a match against France in March 2025, which led to restrictions on attendance. While the game is officially closed to the public, a limited number of Croatian schoolchildren will be allowed in, and England fans will receive 100 complimentary tickets after negotiations with UEFA.
This match marks a continuation of the strained atmosphere surrounding Croatian football events, as they also faced restrictions in a recent match against the Czech Republic. The previous encounter between the two teams in 2018 also took place behind closed doors, highlighting ongoing concerns about fan behavior.
Watch for how this match impacts Croatia's ongoing efforts to improve fan behavior and regain full stadium access. The presence of schoolchildren may shift the atmosphere, while England's limited fan representation could influence future negotiations with UEFA.