Rijeka is preparing for a Nations League afternoon that will be far from the empty-stadium occasion originally envisaged. Croatia’s meeting with England on Saturday carries a UEFA sanction, yet the compact Stadion Rijeka is expected to be close to three-quarters full through an exception intended for young spectators.
A sanction with a youth-football exception
Croatia were ordered to play the England match behind closed doors after an incident during their Nations League fixture against France in March 2025. Seven Croatian supporters were arrested on suspicion of making Nazi salutes during that game.
The disciplinary measures also prevented Croatian fans from travelling to the away match against the Czech Republic last week. But UEFA rules allow children aged 14 or under to attend a closed-door fixture free of charge when they are connected to schools or football academies in the host country.
- Each adult may accompany up to 15 children.
- Stadion Rijeka has an official capacity of 8,279.
- Up to 6,000 people could therefore be inside the ground on Saturday.
- A group of 100 England supporters has been permitted in the away section.
Not quite an empty afternoon on the Adriatic
The arrangement means the stands in Rijeka, a coastal city usually accustomed to a more intimate football setting, could contain a substantial crowd despite the formal closed-doors punishment. The presence of academy and school groups will give Croatia a form of home backing, albeit under tightly defined conditions rather than normal ticket sales.
Other accredited attendees may also enter the stadium, including invited guests of both national teams, the two delegations and personnel working in media, security, infrastructure, match operations and UEFA organisation.
England arrive for Group A3’s third round
Croatia host England in the third round of League A, Group 3 of the Nations League. Kick-off is scheduled for 13:00 Brasília time on Saturday, with the disciplinary backdrop ensuring that the crowd itself will be one of the match’s defining details.
