The City of Alexandria will celebrate the Croatian National Team’s use of the city as a home base during the World Cup with a welcome event next month.
The city will host “Flavors & Sounds of Croatia – Alexandria” from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street) to celebrate Croatian heritage. The event is free to attend. The Croatian National Football Team will not be in attendance.
The event will feature live Croatian music and dance performances. Croatian a cappella group Muška klapa Podvorje will perform harmonized vocals in the Dalmatian coastal tradition, and an authentic Croatian Tamburitza band of musicians and traditional folk dancers will perform in the Croatian tamburitza style.
Attendees should come hungry, because food vendors will serve up Croatian cuisine and more. Old House Cosmopolitan will have Authentic Croatian cuisine and wine, Dolci Gelati will serve gelato, and other local food trucks will be at the event.
City Manager James Parajon will provide welcome remarks, followed by remarks on Alexandria’s partnership with the Croatian Embassy. Other activities include hands-on games and museum discounts at the Museum of Illusions.
In the event of inclement weather, the celebration will be relocated to the first floor of the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union Street).
Alexandria was the only Virginia locality chosen to be a home base for the 2026 World Cup teams. The Croatian team is staying at Hotel AKA Alexandria and will train at Episcopal High School. Training sessions are not open to the public.
World Cup games will take place from June 11 to July 19 across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Other World Cup events in Alexandria are:
Ongoing: Del Ray Hardware’s World Cup Challenge
June 10: The Significance of World Cup 2026 at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
June 11-July 19: World Cup Specials at LaPluma Coffee & Wine
June 11: Mexico vs South Africa at Taqueria Picoso
June 12: Alexandria Soccer Association’s Pitches and Pints: USA vs Paraguay at Piece Out Del Ray
June 13: Brazil vs Morocco at Alexandria Bier Garden
June 14: Germany vs Curaçao Watch Party at Alexandria Bier Garden
June 19: Alexandria Soccer Association’s Family World Cup Watch Party at Gustave
June 27: Colombia vs Portugal at Taqueria Picoso
July 19: La Gran Final/World Cup Final Watch Party at Taqueria Picoso
