The report says Croatia will stay at Hotel AKA in Old Town Alexandria and train in the city during the tournament. That has given local supporters a rare opportunity to connect with a national team whose following extends well beyond the country’s borders.
For Croatian families who have built lives in Alexandria, the visit carries particular weight. Young fans are chasing signed shirts and memorabilia, while older supporters are reconnecting with a football identity passed through generations.
The attention on Modrić is natural. His influence has defined Croatia’s modern era, and his leadership was central to the team’s run to the 2018 final. The presence of a player with that history gives the squad’s arrival added significance, even before a ball is kicked.
Croatia’s recent World Cup record sets a demanding benchmark. They were runners-up in 2018, losing the final 4-2 to France, and have established themselves as a side capable of competing deep into major tournaments.
That reputation brings pressure. Supporters in Alexandria are not simply waiting for a famous player; they are watching the first chapter of another campaign built on midfield control, experience and tournament discipline.
Croatia’s opening match is scheduled for June 17 in Dallas against England, reviving the rivalry created by their 2018 semi-final. It is a demanding start and an immediate measure of whether Croatia can turn expectation into performance.
For now, Alexandria offers a quieter pre-match stage: fans behind barriers, shirts held aloft and Modrić at the centre of the dream. The next storyline will be whether that emotional lift follows Croatia from the hotel to the pitch.