AGP Executive Report

World Cup Kickoff: The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts today with Mexico hosting South Africa at Estadio Azteca, followed by South Korea vs Czechia and Canada’s opener in Toronto, as the expanded 48-team tournament rolls across the US, Mexico and Canada. Croatia Focus: Croatia’s campaign begins June 17 against England, with coach Zlatko Dalić calling the group tough, while Luka Modrić is still framed as the team’s key figure heading into the opener. England Build-Up: England’s final warm-up vs Costa Rica was delayed by a thunderstorm in Orlando but ended 3-0, and coach Thomas Tuchel said the side is ready to step up intensity. FIFA Controversies: FIFA boss Gianni Infantino defended ticket prices and visa problems ahead of the tournament, while Côte d’Ivoire fans reported visa denials. Fan Life & Costs: Fans are also dealing with high beer prices at venues and rules that can limit public flag displays. Broadcast Business: ITV called the World Cup a “six-week Super Bowl” for advertising as it airs 51 matches. Tech Note: YouTube is bringing back direct messages after six years, rolling out in multiple countries including Croatia.

Croatia in the spotlight: Croatia has arrived in the US for its World Cup campaign with Luka Modrić and Ivan Perišić still central to the roster, even as the team faces the question of how long the “old guard” can carry them. England warm-up update (weather chaos): Ahead of the Group L opener vs Croatia, England beat Costa Rica 3-0 in Orlando, but the match was delayed by a storm and lightning risk; coach Thomas Tuchel says Bukayo Saka’s Achilles issue is being managed and that the squad is ready to “push” in the final preparations. Group L context: England’s opener is set for June 17 in Dallas, with Croatia also drawn alongside Ghana and Panama—an early test for Croatia’s experience-heavy lineup. Dubrovnik tourism angle: Dubrovnik is being promoted globally as a more controlled, less overcrowded destination, with the mayor highlighting visitor-flow management and cruise limits; the city also tops a “hidden-gem” proposal ranking. Local Zagreb culture: Zagreb’s Pride march drew thousands and passed peacefully, keeping the city’s public debate on identity and rights in focus.

World Cup Countdown: The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 across the US, Canada and Mexico, with 48 teams and 104 matches—England’s final warm-up is Wednesday vs Costa Rica before their Group L opener against Croatia on June 17. England Squad Debate: Former players John Terry, Roy Keane and Gary Neville questioned Thomas Tuchel’s controversial 26-man picks and whether England’s defence has what it takes for the knockout rounds. Croatia Focus: Croatia’s World Cup approach is under the spotlight again as previews highlight their experience, tactical flexibility and the challenge of replacing quick, direct attacking options. Ghana in Group L: CAF sent a message to Ghana’s Black Stars ahead of a tough Group L with England, Croatia and Panama, while Ghana’s diaspora ticket drive is underway for the opener in Toronto. Croatia Business & Tech: Liechtenstein’s Gnomon Capital has acquired Croatian data centre operator DC North, boosting its digital infrastructure footprint. Zagreb & Croatia Culture: Plitvice Lakes remains a standout travel story, with its living tufa barriers and UNESCO-level scenery drawing fresh attention.

World Cup Countdown: With the 2026 FIFA World Cup starting in days, a new report says foreign head coaches will dominate the sidelines: 28 of 48 teams will be led by coaches from outside their own countries, including Croatia, France and Japan among the home-nation-led exceptions. England-Croatia Focus: England’s Thomas Tuchel is framing the Three Lions as “competitors” rather than “heavy favourites,” while fitness worries linger for Bukayo Saka as the squad heads toward the opener against Croatia. Local Zagreb Angle: Croatia’s Ministry of Agriculture confirmed a fresh African swine fever case on a small farm in Ivanovo (Osijek-Baranja County), triggering culling and an investigation into the infection source. Regional Security: Slovakia and Croatia signed a defence cooperation deal in Zagreb, with Slovakia set to supply ammunition and armoured vehicles and Croatia providing combat helmets. Culture & Film: Future Frames, a programme for emerging European directors at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, returns with a new partner and a new cohort of filmmakers.

World Cup Countdown: The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts June 11 with Mexico vs South Africa, and England’s opener is June 17 against Croatia in Dallas, with the Three Lions also facing Ghana and Panama in Group L. England Squad & Injuries: Djed Spence will wear a protective mask for the full tournament after a broken jaw, while debate continues over Thomas Tuchel’s selection choices, including Jude Bellingham’s starting role. Croatia in Focus: Croatia’s World Cup campaign is framed as a final push for the golden generation, with Luka Modrić and others aiming to go out on a high. Local Safety News: A small plane crash in Vrsar, Istria, injured one person; it follows another crash in Medulin that killed four, with investigations ongoing. Tourism & Prices: Germany’s Destatis data says Croatia’s hotel and restaurant services are about 9% cheaper than Germany, though the gap is smaller than in some other destinations. EU/Regional Politics: A Wider Europe briefing highlights an EU rule-of-law report slamming Serbia’s progress, including corruption, media freedom, and judiciary independence.

Croatia–Bosnia Border Deal: Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina signed a new border crossings agreement in Sarajevo to speed up movement of people and goods, expand top-category crossings from 2 to 5 (with 6 in transition), and raise international road crossings for passenger and freight traffic from 14 to 17. Croatia World Cup Focus: Croatia enter the 2026 World Cup with Luka Modrić expected to lead despite fitness worries after cheekbone surgery, while defenders Joško Gvardiol and Luka Vuskovic are framed as the core of the next generation. England–Croatia Group L Build-Up: England confirmed Declan Rice as vice-captain as the squad prepares for the final warm-up before their June 17 opener against Croatia in Dallas. World Cup Logistics in the US: Texas will host four national teams for training (Saudi Arabia in Austin, Sweden in Frisco, DR Congo in Houston, Czechia in Mansfield), and FIFA is pushing strict stadium security rules like clear-bag limits. Zagreb Culture Note: Animafest Zagreb 2026 opens with 300 films and international guests.

World Cup Countdown (Croatia-England): Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić says he already knows his starting XI for the June 17 opener against England after a 2-1 friendly win over Slovenia, stressing Croatia must be faster and more aggressive and dismissing fitness worries over Andrej Kramarić. England Build-Up (Tuchel & Bellingham): England manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed Jude Bellingham has a real fight for a starting spot, calling him one of 14-15 potential starters, while also pointing to squad depth ahead of the Group L opener. Ghana in Group L (Queiroz target): Ghana’s Carlos Queiroz era is framed around one clear goal: reaching the knockout stage, with officials saying the minimum expectation is qualification after a 1-1 draw with Wales. Croatia Tourism (Dubrovnik): Dubrovnik kept momentum into summer, topping 1 million overnight stays in the first five months of 2026, with May especially strong. Local Culture (Zagreb Pride): Supporters and protesters met during Zagreb Pride in the city centre, with the parade passing peacefully through the Croatian capital.

Croatia World Cup push: Zlatko Dalić’s Croatia closed preparations with a 2-1 last-gasp win over Slovenia in Varaždin, bouncing back after earlier defeats and heading to North America on a high. England leadership update: Thomas Tuchel confirmed Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice as England’s World Cup vice-captain as the squad trained in Florida ahead of the final warm-up. Security concern in Kansas City: A mass shooting near England’s Kansas City base left nine people injured, with no arrests reported as the team prepares to relocate for the Group L opener vs Croatia on June 17. Heat talk: Harry Kane said the tournament’s expected high temperatures “won’t be a factor,” pointing to acclimatisation during training. Regional EU politics: Croatia’s PM Andrej Plenković backed Montenegro’s EU path while noting open bilateral issues, as European leaders urged faster enlargement progress. Tennis in Croatia: Maria Timofeeva won the WTA 125 title in Makarska, beating Darja Semenistaja 6-2, 6-3 in the final.

Zagreb Pride: Thousands gathered in Zagreb for the 25th Pride March, which police said passed peacefully with no major incidents, as organisers used the event to push for full equality for LGBTIQ people, including adoption rights and stronger protection for transgender, non-binary and intersex individuals. Croatia in the World Cup spotlight: Croatia’s group is set for the 2026 tournament, with England, Ghana and Panama in Group L, and Croatia’s pre-World Cup neighbour clash with Slovenia scheduled as a key warm-up. Sport in Croatia: Šibenik marked the anniversary of basketball legend Dražen Petrović’s death with wreaths, candles and a youth tournament celebrating his legacy. Football beyond Croatia: England’s World Cup preparations continue after a 1-0 warm-up win over New Zealand, with Thomas Tuchel stressing structure over “freestyle” play and praising Jude Bellingham’s return to form. World Cup logistics: England’s group games timing is set for UK late-night viewing, with Croatia first on June 17.

England World Cup prep in Tampa: Thomas Tuchel’s England opened their final warm-up campaign with a 1-0 win over New Zealand at Raymond James Stadium, with Harry Kane heading in Djed Spence’s cross in first-half stoppage time. Tuchel rotated heavily, using two different XIs, and Marcus Rashford stood out as the most lively attacker. Group L focus: England now turn to their June 17 opener vs Croatia, then Ghana and Panama, with squad numbers officially revealed (Kane No. 9, Bellingham No. 10). Pitch concerns: Tuchel admitted he was “a little bit worried” about the Tampa surface, installed just days earlier and looking uneven. Croatia on the pitch: Croatia U21s played a 2-2 friendly draw in Zagreb against Ireland U21s, with Sam Curtis and Sean Grehan scoring for Ireland after Luka Vrbancic’s penalty and an own goal. Local life in Zagreb: Thousands gathered for Croatia’s 25th Pride March in Zagreb.

Croatia Identity Updates: Croatia is warning more than 13,000 citizens with older ID cards marked “permanent validity” to replace them before 3 August, citing EU security standards and fraud-prevention upgrades. Statehood & Symbols: Croatia marked its first-ever Croatian Flag Day on June 5, recalling the 1848 first raising of the tricolour tied to Ban Josip Jelačić, with Parliament backing the new commemorative day. Zagreb & Croatia Sports Spotlight: Croatian PM Andrej Plenković visited the national team in Rijeka to back Zlatko Dalić’s squad ahead of the World Cup, stressing unity and government support. Tourism & Culture: Vrgorac hosted the Dalmatian Pršut and Wine Days, spotlighting certified pršut and local wines with dozens of exhibitors. Regional Connections: Croatia’s ties with Germany got a boost as a new tourism office opened in Berlin, aiming to strengthen the visitor market. World Cup Build-Up (Local Angle): England’s preparations for their opener against Croatia are in focus, with Thomas Tuchel stressing fitness and refusing to use heat and travel as excuses.

Zagreb Reconstruction Watch: More than six years after the March 2020 earthquake, central Zagreb is still dotted with scaffolding and barriers, and even foreign visitors are starting to question the pace—locals say the delays come from years of planning, permits, EU compliance, contractor capacity, disputes, and rising costs. Croatian Diaspora Angle: A new debate is pushing beyond the usual “why people left” story, arguing Croatia’s diaspora is an underused resource for investment, entrepreneurship, skills, and business links abroad. World Cup 2026, Local Relevance: England’s build-up for the June 17 opener vs Croatia is being shaped by heat and travel, plus worries about a patchwork Tampa pitch; the team is also planning cooling tech for hot matches. Israel–Slovenia Diplomacy: Israel says it will open an embassy in Slovenia after a new right-wing government took office, with the move framed as a shift from the previous cabinet’s colder stance. U.S. Politics Spillover: Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner faces renewed scrutiny after reports alleging volatile behavior and a Nazi-linked tattoo, with the campaign denying the claims.

Aviation Tragedy in Istria: A small plane crash near Medulin killed at least four people, with police and firefighters responding as investigators work to determine what happened. EU Oversight on Croatia’s Finances: The European Commission issued five recommendations for Croatia, urging tighter control of public spending and better efficiency to support long-term growth. Migration Rights Claim: A report by No Name Kitchen alleges “healthcare denial” is used as a deterrent against migrants across Europe, including claims involving Croatia. Tourism Outlook for 2026: Croatia’s tourism board says 2026 is tracking positively, with stable demand and growth in key markets, including Germany, Slovenia, Italy and the US. World Cup Focus (Group L): Ghana captain Jordan Ayew urged fans and players to back the Black Stars as they face Panama, England and Croatia, with preparations continuing in the US. Local Business Pressure: Croatian small entrepreneurs and private renters are pushing back against proposed tax increases, warning they could hit investment and the rental market. World Cup Logistics: The tournament kicks off June 11 across 16 host cities, with 48 teams and a full schedule already set.

Plane Crash in Istria: Four people were killed after a small aircraft crashed near Medulin/Campanož in western Croatia, with emergency services on site and an investigation launched with Austrian authorities; officials say a preliminary report is expected within 30 days. Croatian Economy & Jobs: Croatia’s average net salary rose to €1,621 (+9% year-on-year), with big gaps by sector—IT leads at €1,904, while agriculture is among the slowest growers. Tourism Momentum: Croatia’s tourism is off to a strong start in 2026, with HTZ highlighting growth from key markets and new U.S. air links; Dubrovnik Airport also hit a May record with 399,917 passengers (+5.7%). World Cup Build-Up (Croatia in Group L): Ghana’s Augustine Boakye received his first Black Stars call-up, while Antoine Semenyo says the squad has “abundance” of talent and can shock teams; Ghana opens against Panama, then faces England and Croatia. EU Policy Watch: EU Home Affairs ministers reviewed asylum and migration pact implementation ahead of its 12 June start, including the rollout of the new Eurodac system. Culture & Events: Slano Film Days in Slano, near Dubrovnik, will feature Hollywood guests Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard (June 16–20).

Zagreb Entrepreneurship & Inclusion: Zagreb opened a fully accessible coworking space for people with disabilities in the URIHO complex (Kajzerica), offering five adapted workstations and daily/weekly/monthly rentals to help remove barriers to starting a business. Croatian Small Business Tax Fight: Croatia’s small entrepreneurs and private renters are pushing back against proposed tax increases, warning lump-sum tourist-bed minimums could rise (e.g., €100 to €150 in top areas), with 30,000+ petition signatures and talk of protests if talks fail. World Cup Focus for Croatia Fans: Croatia’s Group L opener vs England is framed as a key test, with England-Croatia-Ghana-Panama all in the same group and heavy attention on matchups and knockout paths as the tournament kicks off June 11. Anti-Piracy Crackdown: Europol-backed action dismantled illegal streaming networks across 13 countries, leading to 29 arrests and nine organised crime groups hit—relevant as World Cup viewing demand spikes. Tourism Rules Under Pressure: Croatia is also moving to curb late-night alcohol sales and rowdy tourist behavior, as cities tighten nightlife rules ahead of the summer rush.

Dubrovnik World Cup Boost: Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković approved extended late-night opening hours for restaurants and bars during Croatia’s 2026 World Cup group matches, with venues allowed to stay open until 2 a.m. (June 17 vs England), 3 a.m. (June 24) and 2 a.m. (June 27), while operators must keep order and follow noise rules. Župa Dubrovačka Veterans Memorial: The municipality launched a public consultation for a dedicated memorial room honoring local Homeland War veterans, developed with veterans’ groups and aiming for completion by year-end after applying for Ministry co-financing. Slovenia–Israel Flight Row: Slovenia blocked an Israir passenger jet, forcing it to divert to Zagreb, with Israir calling it political and alleging an EU open-skies breach. World Cup Fitness Watch (Canada): Canada’s camp is monitoring Alphonso Davies’ hamstring recovery after he initially missed the opener, with coach Jesse Marsch saying it’s “day-by-day” and not ruling him out. World Cup Squad Pressure (Ghana): Ghana’s Black Stars left Wales for the U.S. after a 1-1 draw with Wales, with defender Jerome Opoku calling it a “solid result” and Carlos Queiroz’s squad now preparing for Group L vs Panama, England and Croatia. FIBA Youth in Croatia’s Orbit: Croatia is set to feature in the FIBA U16 Women’s EuroBasket 2026 group in Pitesti, while Croatia also appears in Division B U16 EuroBasket 2026 group play in North Macedonia.