The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) has selected Alexandria, Virginia, as the home base for the Croatia national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
HNS confirmed that it secured its top choice for a base camp, which includes accommodation at the AKA Hotel and training facilities at the Episcopal High School. The Vatreni will stay in Alexandria, just outside Washington, D.C., positioning them close to key transport routes and match venues.
“We thoroughly analyzed over 60 potential base camps before the draw,” said team manager Iva Olivari. “After learning our match locations, we narrowed the list and personally visited the most suitable ones. Once back from North America, we presented our findings to coach Zlatko Dalić and his staff.”
A delegation including technical director Stipe Pletikosa, Olivari, and spokesperson Tomislav Pacak toured eight camps across the northeastern U.S. and Canada. Dalić and his staff unanimously agreed that Alexandria offered the best overall setup and made it HNS’s top priority among the five bases required by FIFA.
HNS
Alexandria gives us the perfect balance — a top-class training center, a comfortable hotel, proximity to an airport, and excellent logistics for our group-stage games,” said Pletikosa. “The facilities at Episcopal High School are outstanding, from the pitch to the fitness and recovery rooms. Everything clicked immediately, including the hospitality we received.”
Opened in April 2023, Hotel AKA has already earned multiple awards for its contemporary design by renowned Italian architect Piero Lissoni. Located near the Potomac River, the hotel features 180 modern rooms in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, offering a peaceful setting with facilities ideal for the team, from a fitness center to dining and meeting spaces. Ronald Reagan Airport is only six minutes away.
“From what we saw, Alexandria stood out as the best fit,” said coach Zlatko Dalić. “We considered every factor, including training quality, hotel comfort, travel logistics, privacy, and surroundings, and Alexandria came out on top. Of course, how we remember a base always depends on the results, so I hope it brings us luck just like Šumska Rhapsody in Russia or the Hilton in Doha.”
The Episcopal High School training center, located just 15 minutes from the hotel, boasts some of the region’s finest athletic facilities. Alongside a world-class football pitch, it offers a fully equipped gym, cardiovascular training zone, and state-of-the-art recovery suites with hydrotherapy, cryotherapy, electrostimulation, and ultrasound.
HNS
“Our responsibility is to ensure the best possible conditions for our players and staff,” added HNS President Marijan Kustić. “Alexandria was the staff’s first choice, and we’re confident it provides everything the team needs — top facilities, comfort, and peace. The World Cup across such vast distances will be a huge logistical challenge, but our experienced and dedicated team is more than ready.”
