CROATIA say they will have between 5,000 and 6,000 kids attending their behind-closed-doors clash with England on Saturday.
Regular Croatian fans are not allowed to go to the game in Rijeka as a involving racism in a match against France in 2025.
Yet the Stadium Rujevica, which has a capacity of 8,279, will be three-quarters full with schoolchildren thanks to a loophole in Uefa rules.
Regulations state that “children up to the age of 14 (duly accompanied) from schools and/or football academies” can be invited free of charge.
Uefa were expecting 3,000 kids to attend the game but Croatia confirmed that number could be double from children invited from their football schools all over the country.
For every 15 children attending, there will also be an adult who will be one of their coaches or teachers.
Originally, no supporters from either side were allowed to attend the game, but following talks between and Uefa, to English fans.
The initial fan ban was a punishment for unsavoury incidents during ’s Nations League quarter-final with in March 2025.
Seven fans were arrested for making Nazi salutes, but were then released without prosecution due to a lack of evidence.
Firecrackers were also set off in a section of the ground occupied by Croatia fans.
The Croatian FA was then fined around £25,000 for their supporters’ racist and discriminatory behaviour, and just shy of £35,000 for the lighting of fireworks, causing damage to the stadium, and the improper conduct of the team.
Croatia were also denied any fans for their 2-1 win over Czech Republic on Saturday.
Dinamo Zagreb striker Dion Drena Beljo, 24, said: “We are sad not to have our crowd with us but still we have to give our maximum effort in the game.”
starlet Luka Vuskovic, 19, added: “It doesn’t change the fact that we will still give our best.”
