A Strategic Home Base
Croatia’s national soccer team has set up camp in Alexandria, Virginia, as it prepares for the upcoming World Cup, turning the Northern Virginia suburb into a temporary hub of Croatian pride.
The city has embraced the team’s presence with a series of events, including a partnership with the Croatian Embassy that will run throughout the tournament, and a local eatery, Old House Cosmopolitan, that is offering authentic Croatian cuisine and wine to fans.
Team members are staying at a hotel in Alexandria and conducting training sessions at a nearby high school, a logistical arrangement that blends seamlessly into the community’s schedule.
For longtime residents like Damir Dajaztovic, a Croatian expatriate who calls Alexandria home, the World Cup has sparked a wave of excitement, as he looks forward to watch parties with fellow countrymen and the chance to cheer on a squad he believes has a strong coach and capable players.
Helena Coric, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Croatia, shares that enthusiasm, noting how the choice of Alexandria as a base camp reflects a strategic decision that brings the team closer to American supporters while still honoring its roots.
The team’s first match is scheduled for next week in Dallas against England, a fixture that will test the squad’s readiness and add another layer of anticipation for fans who have been counting down the days since the announcement of the U.S. base.