Source: DZS
Three host countries, 16 cities, 12 groups with a record 48 countries competing and a total of 104 matches. These are the known figures for the upcoming World Cup so far. Until we know the number of goals scored, the average number of kilometres run per match, the number of fouls called and yellow and red cards given, but most importantly – who will lift the trophy in the final match, statistics would not be statistics if we did not look into statistical databases, explore tables and graphs and thus make a statistical introduction to what is probably the most watched sporting and global event of the year. So let’s get started!
What do we know about the hosts?
The USA, Canada and Mexico have joined forces and are hosting the World Cup from June 11 to July 19. There will be mariachi music, people will be drinking beer and tequila, and American fast food will be eaten in stadiums and fan zones. And of course, there will be maple syrup as a souvenir from Canada. Whether there will be time and money left for additional shopping is up to each individual to decide. Considering that we regularly import products from the host countries into our country, let’s also mention the data on trade in goods for 2025.
Back in 2018, when we found out who would host this year’s World Cup, many people started making plans to travel to one of the matches where the Croatian national team is playing. As the deadline approached and a place in the world championship was secured, the plans became more and more concrete.
Although at the moment we do not know how many Croatian fans will actually travel to North America in June and July, we checked how many Croats traveled to the USA, Canada and Mexico organized by Croatian travel agencies in the last ten years.
We are certain that this year our destinations will also count overnight stays of tourists from the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
We were also interested in data on population migration.
What do we know about the opponents?
While the championship begins on June 11, our national team opens the competition only on June 17 with a match against England. Many will say: “our old rivals that we know very well”, this is a national team that has been waiting for a trophy and “the return of football home” for years. England performs separately in the world of football, separated from the other components of the United Kingdom. For the purposes of this presentation, we checked the value of trade with the United Kingdom and found that exports greatly exceed imports. Namely, in 2025, we imported goods from the United Kingdom worth 137.7 million euros, while at the same time we exported goods worth 274.3 million euros.
We leave it to the players and football experts to read the game of the English national team. And for the purposes of this text, we have dealt with the traditional habits of the English. Since drinking tea and consuming fish & chips are mentioned in every guide, we checked how much of these products is produced in Croatia. In 2024, we produced 55 tons of tea, 30,574 tons of processed fish and 133,862 tons of potatoes, we hope that is enough to celebrate our victory!
Next up is the Panama team. This Central American country, best known to many for the Panama Canal, is also known as a major producer of quality coffee. Probably a favorite drink for Croatians, and let’s not forget that in 2025 we imported a total of 19,981 tons of coffee. Will we calmly sip coffee after the match on June 24th and discuss the footballing feats of our national team players, or will we calculate how we can get through the group?
We will know for sure whether we are going to the next stage of the competition after the match with the last opponent in the group stage, where the Ghana national team is waiting for us. This African country with access to the Atlantic Ocean is among the world’s leading producers of cocoa. Another food that Croats really love and that we produced 678 tons in 2024.
What do we know about us?
What we are sure of is that our players will take to the field extremely motivated and in the best possible shape. Whether they are playing a leading role in the starting 11 or on the bench ready to take on the task entrusted to them at any moment, we have no doubt that they will give their all. The same heartfelt approach is expected from the fans.
As in previous editions, the matches of the Croatian national team are a time for togetherness, positive mood and loud support. This will certainly not be lacking on the numerous terraces of catering establishments, which, according to the statistical register for 2026, number more than 11.5 thousand. And the glasses will certainly not remain empty – in 2024 we produced 3,227,545 hectoliters of beer, 3,825,001 hectoliters of non-alcoholic refreshing drinks and 3,060,811 hectoliters of mineral water.
We hope that after the group stage, there will be many more matches in which the Croatian national team will participate. What everyone dreams about is the final match scheduled for July 19th, lifting the trophy and singing “Lijepa naše” as the final shot of the championship. All those who have followed our national football team for the past 35 years know that this scenario is not at all impossible.
So how can we end this text but with a few more statistics? Since declaring its independence, Croatia has played in six out of eight world championships, winning two bronze and one silver. Even the biggest skeptics would bet on our excellent placement. We are investing everything in victory, and you?
