What was expected to be a closed-door match in Rijeka is now set to look very different. When Croatia host England on 3 October at 18:00, UEFA rules will allow around 5,500 to 6,000 children to attend at Rujevica, turning an 8,000-seat stadium into a mostly youth crowd rather than an empty venue.
The change matters because Croatia had been facing a sanction that was supposed to keep the stands shut. UEFA had already punished the Croatian Football Federation in June 2023 for discriminatory behavior by fans against Dutch supporters during the półfinału Ligi Narodów, and the restriction was later reinforced after UEFA ordered it enforced again in May 2025 following racist and discriminatory behavior by Croatian fans against French supporters during the meczu 1/4 finału Ligi Narodów.
That background makes Croatia vs England a notable UEFA fixture. It is the first Croatian home match in a UEFA competition since the punishment was imposed, even though Croatia have played six home matches since then in FIFA competitions. In other words, the team has not been away from home entirely, but this is the first time the UEFA sanction directly affects a domestic competitive match.
Why children will be in the stands
The key detail is that UEFA is allowing the match to go ahead with children in attendance instead of a fully closed stadium. Last week, UEFA was expecting about 3,000 children, but that figure has now grown to roughly 5,500-6,000. Croatia’s 8,000-seat ground in Rijeka will therefore still have a crowd, but one shaped by the disciplinary ruling rather than normal ticketing.
The move also follows a separate arrangement involving England fans. In September, the England Supporters' Association reached an agreement with UEFA for 200 fans from the UK to attend the match. That gives the game a small visiting contingent, even with the broader restrictions in place.
What it means for Croatia and England
For Croatia, the match is a reminder that UEFA discipline is still hanging over the program. Croatian Football described the situation as involving €93,000 in fines, a home match behind closed doors, and a ban on away fans for the next UEFA competition game. The federation also pointed to UEFA citing pyrotechnics, lasers, blocked exits and incidents of racism and discrimination during matches against France.
For England, the main takeaway is simple: this will not be a typical away environment, but it will not be silent either. The presence of thousands of children, plus the 200 English supporters, means the atmosphere in Rijeka should be unusual rather than empty. Croatia vs England kicks off at 18:00 on 3 October, while Spain vs Czechia is scheduled for 20:45 the same evening.
