Brief
England to face Croatia behind closed doors after UEFA sanction
UEFA ordered a partial ban on supporters for Croatia's home game, allowing only children and a small England fan delegation.
By Felo News Desk · Published
England will play Croatia at Stadion HNK Rijeka on 3 October 2026 in a UEFA Nations League fixture that will be largely played behind closed doors, according to Standard.co.uk.
What happened
UEFA imposed a two‑match sanction on Croatia after fan incidents in a March 2025 Nations League quarter‑final against France. The punishment includes a ban on supporters attending the next home game, which is the England match. While the stadium can hold 8,279 spectators, only a limited number will be allowed.
What the reports add
Standard.co.uk notes that Article 73 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations permits exceptions: children up to 14 years old from schools or football academies may attend free of charge. The outlet cites an estimate of 5,500‑6,000 children expected, higher than the 3,000 initially anticipated. In addition, a statement from the English Supporters Travel Club says 100 complimentary tickets have been allocated to its members, allowing a small group of England fans to be present.
What was said
England manager Thomas Tuchel told a pre‑match press conference that playing behind closed doors is “never nice”, but he welcomed the children and the limited England supporters, saying, “I am happy for the children … and I am glad that our 100 or 200 fans have the chance to be here.” The quote is attributed to Standard.co.uk.
How it came about
The sanction stems from fan misconduct during Croatia’s 2025 Nations League quarter‑final against France, which led UEFA to order a one‑match ban on away supporters and a home‑fixture ban for the next game. Croatia have since hosted several FIFA‑sanctioned matches, but this is the first UEFA competition visit by England since the incident. The partial ban reflects UEFA’s effort to balance punishment with allowing youth participation.
Key facts
- UEFA ordered a partial spectator ban for Croatia's home Nations League match against England on 3 Oct 2026. (standard.co.uk)
- Around 5,500‑6,000 children are expected to attend under UEFA's Article 73 exception. (standard.co.uk)
- England Supporters Travel Club members have been allocated 100 complimentary tickets. (standard.co.uk)
- The sanction follows fan misconduct in Croatia's March 2025 Nations League quarter‑final against France. (standard.co.uk)
- Stadion HNK Rijeka has a capacity of 8,279, but most seats will remain empty. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Why is Croatia vs England being played behind closed doors?”
