Croatia hosts "FIFA World Cup kick-off event"

A "FIFA World Cup kick-off event" was organised by the Canadian Embassy in Croatia in cooperation with the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) to mark the start of activities related to the 2026 World Cup.

Canada will co-host the tournament and stage the Croatia–Panama match in Toronto on 23 June, CE Report quotes HINA.

Speakers highlighted strong bilateral ties between Canada and Croatia, particularly in sport, tourism, trade and investment.

Among those addressing the event were Canadian Ambassador Jessica Blitt, Croatian Tourism and Sport Minister Tonči Glavina, HGK representative Marina Rožić, Croatian Football Federation spokesman Tomislav Pacak, and the mayor of the Canadian city of Kitchener, Berry Vrbanovic.

Canada, alongside the United States and Mexico, will host the tournament, with 13 matches scheduled in Toronto and Vancouver. Officials stressed the event’s broader significance beyond sport, as well as its potential to strengthen economic cooperation and tourism promotion.

Ambassador Blitt underlined Canada’s commitment to safety and expressed confidence in a strong atmosphere in Toronto, home to a large Croatian community.

This World Cup is about more than sport, just as FIFA is about more than sport -- it is about building connections between communities, societies and cultures. This is very important for Canada. Our two countries are closely linked, and we now have an opportunity to strengthen those ties further. Canada is a safe and reliable partner, and we want to continue our partnership with Croatia, Blitt said.

Minister Glavina described the tournament as a major opportunity to promote Croatia, particularly in the growing US and Canadian markets.

Officials also emphasised the importance of compromise in global security conditions and the need for high safety standards.

Representatives of the Croatian Football Federation noted strong fan interest and high expectations for the national team, which has won three World Cup medals, adding that Croatia faces a challenging group but could once again go far in the tournament.

Rožić, the HGK Secretary General, highlighted the excellent cooperation between Croatia and Canada, noting that Croatian exports to the Canadian market grew by more than 190% last year.

"These events go far beyond sport -- they are an opportunity to strengthen cooperation and create new business opportunities and partnerships," she said, adding that the defence and IT sectors are expected to see the greatest progress and added value.

Mayor Vrbanovic, who was born in Zagreb, welcomed the Croatian national team’s upcoming visit to Toronto, saying the World Cup would offer opportunities for economic development both for his city and the country as a whole.

First elected in 2014, he is now serving his third term leading a city of just over 250,000 people, including several thousand Croats.

foto Luka Šangulin