England's Nations League match against Croatia in Rijeka will be played behind closed doors on Saturday, but the stadium will not be completely empty.
Because of sanctions linked to crowd disturbances involving Croatia supporters, only a limited number of spectators are expected to be inside. That includes between 3,000 and 6,000 Croatian schoolchildren, along with a small number of England fans who have been allowed to attend.
The restriction is the latest consequence of the incidents in March 2025, when crowd disturbances involving Croatia fans occurred during a Nations League match against France. Croatia were also without travelling supporters for their 2-1 win in the Czech Republic last Saturday.
The venue adds another layer of familiarity to the fixture. Croatia and England met at the same stadium in October 2018, when the teams drew 0-0 behind closed doors. This time, the setting is again restricted, although it will not be entirely empty.
What it means for England and Croatia
For England, the atmosphere will be unusual, even by Nations League standards. The Three Lions will not face a full home crowd, but they also will not get the benefit of a totally silent ground. Croatia, meanwhile, must deal with another match affected by disciplinary action tied to supporter behavior.
The bigger picture is straightforward: the 2026 World Cup qualifying picture is not the only issue on the agenda. Croatia and Uefa are still dealing with the fallout from crowd disturbances, and Saturday's match in Rijeka is the latest example of how those sanctions can affect the playing environment.
