Why are there so many children in the stands at Croatia vs England?

ENGLAND are playing in front of a stadium full of children as they take on Croatia in the Nations League.

The began the international break with a 3-2 defeat to World Cup winners Spain but got back to winning ways by on Tuesday.

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‘s men now head to the Rujevica Stadium in Rijeka tonight.

And between due to a loophole in a Uefa ruling.

Why are there so many children in the stands at Croatia vs England?

Croatia fans were initially hit with a one-match ban as punishment for crowd disturbances that involved racism when facing France in 2025.

But Rujevica Stadium, which can hold 8,279 fans, is set to be 75 per cent full.

Uefa state that “children up to the age of 14 (duly accompanied) from schools and/or football academies” can be in the ground for free.

Children from schools across the country and kids in Rijeka have been sent tickets to the game.

Regulations say their must be an adult for every 15 children in the stands.

England have been given a tiny away allocation of just 100 after Three Lions chiefs held talks with Uefa encouraging them not to punish innocent English supporters.

Croatia got the ban after hooligans marred a Nations League quarter-final tie in March 2025 with Nazi salutes and crowd trouble.

What TV channel is Croatia vs England on and is there a live stream?

Fans can watch the game on ITV1 or stream for free using ITVX

Kick-off is at 5pm BST.

Alternatively, ‘s LIVE blog will bring you all the action as it happens.

Fixtures Results Tables

Saturday 3 October

Tuesday 6 October

England

19:45

Group 3

Czechia

Thursday 12 November

England

19:45

Group 3

Croatia

Sunday 15 November

Spain

19:45

Group 3

England

Tuesday 29 September

Saturday 26 September

Saturday 18 July

France

4 – 6

3rd Place Final

England

Wednesday 15 July

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