Why Croatia vs England is played behind closed doors
Croatia England closed doors is the result of a UEFA sanction after crowd trouble involving Croatian fans during a Nations League match against France in March 2025. Saturday’s fixture in Rijeka will go ahead with only schoolchildren and a small England allocation allowed inside.
England face Croatia at Stadion Rujevica on Saturday, 3 October 2026, in a Nations League Group A3 match that will be staged without a normal home crowd. The empty atmosphere matters because home support is usually a major edge, and the ban follows earlier restrictions on Croatian away fans.
Key Takeaways
- UEFA ordered the game behind closed doors after disturbances by Croatia fans versus France in March 2025.
- Seven fans were held over suspected Nazi salutes and later released without prosecution.
- Between 3,000 and 6,000 Croatian schoolchildren may attend, plus 100 England complimentary tickets.
- Kick-off is 5pm BST in Rijeka, with the match live on ITV1 in the UK.
What sparked UEFA’s closed-doors order?
According to the BBC, the limited capacity stems from crowd trouble at Croatia’s Nations League meeting with France in March 2025. In the Croatian section at the Stade de France, supporters set off fireworks.
Seven fans were taken into custody on suspicion of making Nazi salutes during that match. They were released without prosecution because of a lack of evidence. Racing Post also notes that Croatia fans are shut out after crowd trouble in that 2025 France tie.
The sanction has already affected travel: Croatia were prohibited from having travelling supporters for their 2-1 win in the Czech Republic last Saturday. That backdrop makes this another unusually quiet night for a major European fixture.
Who is allowed into Stadion Rujevica?
While the fixture is officially behind closed doors, it will not be a completely empty ground. Between 3,000 and 6,000 Croatian schoolchildren have been permitted to attend in Rijeka.
England fans were initially barred. After talks involving UEFA and England, the Three Lions were later allowed 100 complimentary tickets. Those guests will be among the few adult supporters inside the virtually empty stadium.
Odd as the setup sounds, it fits a wider run of stadium restrictions that keep landing in our Bizarre World coverage of football’s stranger matchdays.
When is the match, and why does the empty ground matter?
Croatia vs England kicks off at 5pm BST on Saturday at Stadion Rujevica. ITV1 is showing it live in the UK. The sides already met at the 2026 World Cup, where England won 4-2 in Dallas, and they also drew 0-0 behind closed doors in Rijeka in October 2018.
Thomas Tuchel’s England are clear favourites again, while Croatia arrive after a 4-1 loss in Spain and without the usual home roar. As Racing Post notes, it will be hard to replicate World Cup intensity in a nearly empty ground.
In short, croatia england closed doors is not a venue choice or security scare on the day. It is a UEFA punishment rooted in the March 2025 France disturbances, with only schoolchildren and a tiny England allocation allowed to watch in person.