An aerial view of the historic Old Town Alexandria waterfront and marina at sunset.

Alexandria is Team Croatia's official World Cup Base Camp

World Cup Media Hub

Dobrodošli u Alexandria! We’re thrilled to serve as base camp for the Croatian National Team during the 2026 World Cup, and equally glad to welcome the journalists telling their story.

This hub is built to support your coverage. Inside, you’ll find helpful links and resources, story ideas, World Cup events and offerings, frequently asked questions and a press room with everything you need on hand. Whether you’re here for a few days or the long haul, consider it your starting point for the city.

While the World Cup may bring you here, Alexandria gives you a story to take home. Unlock Your Story in Alexandria.

For more information and events, head to VisitAlexandria.com/world-cup.

Download high-resolution images and video here.

For anything you need on the ground, please reach out to Andrew Postal, Director of Communications, at apostal@visitalexva.com.

About Alexandria

For World Cup fans traveling to North America, Alexandria, Virginia offers convenience and a place that feels like home. Located just minutes from Washington, D.C., Alexandria combines seamless transportation, walkable neighborhoods and a proud inclusive community with the kind of atmosphere that turns a tournament trip into a lasting memory.

With its own Amtrak station and easy access to three major airports, Alexandria is easy to navigate for travelers, families and fans. Once here, visitors can enjoy a Travel + Leisure Top 5 Best U.S. City and a Condé Nast Traveler Top 3 Best Small U.S. City at their own pace. Nationally recognized for its rich history, beautifully preserved architecture and welcoming, walkable atmosphere, Alexandria is a compelling destination. From waterfront dining and historic attractions to a vibrant arts and culture scene, hundreds of independent restaurants and shops, and easy connections to the nation’s capital by water taxi, Metrorail, car or bicycle, Alexandria offers visitors an authentic experience with global appeal.

Alexandria’s international appeal is underscored by the Croatia national football team, the Vatreni, choosing Alexandria as its official Team Base Camp for the 2026 World Cup. The team trains at Episcopal High School, one of the few sites in the United States featuring a premier Bermuda grass field comparable to the world’s most iconic stadiums. While the training grounds remain private, the Vatreni presence places Alexandria at the center of global soccer activity, giving fans the opportunity to stay where preparation meets place.

CCroatian Football Federation (HNS) technical director Stipe Pletikosa said, “Alexandria offers us the best combination of an excellent training centre and a comfortable hotel, with immediate proximity to the airport and a good geographical position in relation to the cities where we will play our group-stage matches. From a sporting perspective, which is always our top priority, we will have truly top-class conditions at Episcopal High School — from the pitches and fitness facilities to recovery areas — so there were very few doubts. Everything felt right from the start, including the pleasant hosts at both the hotel and the training centre.”

Read the Croatian Football Federation (HNS)’s full announcement here.

Explore Alexandria with Croatia’s Ambassador

Watch as Visit Alexandria’s Todd O’Leary and Croatian Ambassador Pjer Šimunović explore the city together, from King Street to Croatian wines at Wine Gallery 108 and Croatian-inspired dishes at Old House Cosmopolitan. It’s a preview of the cultural connection and warm hospitality that will welcome Team Croatia and fans from around the world during the World Cup.

Quick Links

Make Alexandria, VA Your World Cup Home Base

A man is walking down Alexandria's King Street on a bright summer day, passing O'Connell's Irish Pub.

World Cup 2026: Frequently Asked Questions

Close-up shot of a soccer player with white socks and black shoes kicking a soccer ball.

Virtual Visitor Guide

Getting To & Around Alexandria

Story Ideas

Pictured: Visit Alexandria President & CEO, Todd O’Leary, and Croatia Ambassador Pjer Šimunović on Historic King Street.

The 2026 “Fan Voyage”: Alexandria as the World Cup’s Ultimate Homebase

Travel Trend: Fan Voyage, Atmosphere-Driven Travel, The New Sports Explorer

New research from YouGov Sport reveals that sports tourism is no longer just about the ticket; 40% of travelers say that “atmosphere and experience” are the primary motivators for traveling to a live sports event, while 30% are driven by the opportunity to visit a new place. Alexandria is capturing this “Fan Voyage” trend by positioning itself as the ultimate World Cup homebase—where global fandom meets authentic local culture.

In Alexandria, the experience comes to life one stop at a time. Raise a glass to your favorite team with a thoughtfully curated global wine from Wine Gallery 108 in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. Owner Lisa Katic selects wines carefully in an accessible, artisanal way, with her family’s Croatian heritage as a guiding light. Then, when you’re hungry, walk just a few blocks up to Old House Cosmopolitan Grill. For nearly a quarter century, Ivica “Ivan” Svalina and his wife, Amela Svalina, have brought a passion for food to Northern Virginia’s dining scene, inviting guests to savor classic dishes like crispy schnitzel, cheesy Spätzle, and comforting pasta dishes like Käse Spätzle. A nod to Ivan’s familial ties to Croatia is reflected in the menu itself, which integrates beloved specialties like Zagrebački Odrezak (Croatian Schnitzel), Ćevapčići, and Branzino, a fish commonly enjoyed throughout coastal Croatia. Writers and World Cup fans can also catch a game, an international beer and a bite at Lighthorse Restaurant.

LaPluma Coffee & Wine is turning match days into a full-on celebration with jersey discounts, goal-time coffee pours, country-inspired drinks, raffles and interactive “Pick Your Team” rewards as teams advance. Fans can also enjoy limited-time World Cup combo specials designed for sharing, plus festive décor in support of the games and the Croatian team.

Seamless Access to North American Match Cities from Alexandria

Travel Trend: Hub-and-Spoke Travel, Multi-City Match Hopping

Strategically positioned within easy access of eastern World Cup match cities, Alexandria offers a central hub for fans following their favorite team. Fans can keep a consistent homebase in Alexandria and leverage the city’s unparalleled transit links to reach the team’s group-stage matches in cities close as just a few hours away, via train, plane or automobile.

For Team Croatia’s matches specifically:

June 17 (England vs. Croatia): Catch a direct, 3-hour flight from Reagan National (DCA) or Dulles (IAD) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to see the opener at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, TX.

June 23 (Panama vs. Croatia): Fly direct from DCA or IAD to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) in just under 2 hours for the clash at BMO Field.

June 27 (Croatia vs. Ghana): Take a stress-free Amtrak ride directly from the Alexandria Station to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station (approx. 3 hours) for this high-stakes match at Lincoln Financial Field.

For fans staying in and exploring Alexandria, events, including watch parties for various World Cup matches, are being planned across Alexandria’s neighborhoods. The Alexandria Soccer Association (ASA) brings soccer culture to life. ASA will be hosting several World Cup watch parties and events:

June 12 at 8:30pm: “Pitches and Pints” watch party at Piece Out in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood

June 19 at 3pm: Family Watch Party at Gustave Boulangerie in Del Ray

Throughout summer: Youth training camps led by professional Croatian coaches

Together, these offerings make match days feel less like one-off spectacles and more like a natural extension of the local community. Visitors will be treated to the city’s shoppable and walkable brick-lined streets, fulfilling the modern fan’s desire for both sporty excitement and a high-end travel discovery with proximity to key North American host cities.

The Ultimate 2026 Road Trip Where Soccer Meets America’s 250th

Travel Trend: Heritage-Sports Fusion, The Nostalgic Road Trip Revival

The summer of 2026 is witnessing the resurgence of the “old-school road trip,” as travelers seek out the scenic autonomy of the open road. This nostalgia-driven shift coincides with the merging of two cultural milestones: FIFA World Cup 2026™ and America’s 250th anniversary. Strategically located along the Mid-Atlantic corridor, Alexandria is the premier homebase for fans turning their match schedule into a “Great American Road Trip.” This trend is backed by the 2026 Hilton Trend Report, which reveals that 71% of Americans plan to drive for their next vacation and 76% of travelers choose the road over flying to embrace spontaneity, making Alexandria’s walkable, riverfront retreat the perfect road trip stop for North American matches.

On the same weekend the World Cup kicks off, Alexandria invites road-trippers to park their cars and soak in the riverfront atmosphere during Sails on the Potomac (June 12-14, 2026). The event features a fleet of majestic tall ships and live local music as part of the ALX Jazz Fest. Beyond the waterfront festivities, travelers can explore the city’s inclusive heritage at the Freedom House Museum or take in the temporary public art installation Time and Place outside the Alexandria Circuit Court, where Richmond-based artist Sandy Williams IV asks viewers to contemplate the meaning of the Declaration of Independence. By blending global sports excitement with the timeless appeal of the American highway, Alexandria offers a multi-layered itinerary for the modern nomad looking to experience history in the making.

World Cup Travelers Invited to Base Themselves in a Historic, Not Static, Waterfront Destination

Travel Trend: Base Camp Travel, Walkability, Historic Travel, Experiential Travel

As the World Cup draws an estimated 1.2 million international travelers, many fans are looking for a homebase that contains a multitude of offerings. As a historic, not static, waterfront destination, Alexandria blends history with contemporary culture, inviting visitors to unwind between match days with wellness-forward stays, outdoor trails, scenic waterfront strolls and boutique accommodations ideal for recharging.

At the same time, travelers can explore more than 200 independent shops and restaurants, enjoy global dining without large crowds, and easily connect to nearby match cities like Philadelphia and New York/New Jersey via direct Amtrak service.

What makes Alexandria especially timely for World Cup travelers is its convergence of history and contemporary living. Travelers aren’t just observing the past; they’re engaging with it—dining in centuries-old buildings, walking historic streets that now buzz with modern energy, and staying in accommodations that honor heritage while offering modern amenities. It is experiential travel layered with meaning, in addition to convenience.

As global sporting events grow larger and more logistically complex, destinations like Alexandria reflect a shift in how fans want to travel: fewer check-ins, more immersion; fewer crowds, more connection. Travelers are invited to unlock their own Alexandria story in the backdrop of one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

Looking for more? Explore additional content inspiration and story ideas connected to our Unlock Your Story campaign and Alexandria’s commemoration of America’s 250th.

For more details about these story ideas, please reach out to Andrew Postal, Director of Communications, at apostal@visitalexva.com.