On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Toronto Stadium was a vibrant showcase of Croatian pride as fans donned red-and-white checkered jerseys to support their national team against Panama. The match ended with Croatia clinching a tense 1-0 victory, effectively eliminating Panama from the World Cup competition.
The crowd erupted in joy when Ante Budimir scored the decisive goal in the 54th minute, sending a wave of excitement through the Croatian supporters gathered not only at the stadium but also at the FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto. The heartbreak was palpable among Panama fans as they realized their hopes of advancing in the tournament had vanished.
Anita Budimir, a passionate soccer fan, expressed her delight when Croatia scored, sharing a unique connection to the player despite not being related. "Budimir scored, so I mean, shout out," she said. "We’re not related at all but … we have the same name so that’s pretty sick."
The Croatian fan presence in Toronto was unmistakable, with thousands marching toward Toronto Stadium before the kickoff. Enthusiastic supporters whistled and waved cardboard cut-outs of their favorite players, accompanied by the fragrant smoke from red smoke canisters. A notable highlight was a 100-meter long flag, a staple of Croatian fan celebrations.
According to the Ontario government, over 100,000 people of Croatian descent live in the province, making it home to Canada’s largest Croatian population. Many fans traveled long distances to support their team, including Sanja Shaback, who flew in from Vancouver specifically to see Croatian soccer star Luka Modric play. "There’s more Croatians at this game than there were Canadians at the Canadian game in Vancouver," Shaback remarked, emphasizing the home-field advantage Croatia enjoyed in Toronto.
The match also saw the attendance of Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who shared a box with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, highlighting the significance of the event. On the other hand, Panama's fans accepted the harsh reality of their team's elimination. "During the game we felt like, OK, we can maybe win the game but at the end … we couldn’t score. They scored and that’s how it works," said Adrian Espil, who made the trip from Panama.
Many Panama fans held on to a sense of hope despite the loss. Amy Pinzon, who was anxious throughout the match, expressed her disappointment but remained proud of their journey to the World Cup. "At least we made it to the World Cup … it was very worth it for me tonight," she stated at the fan festival.
Croatia is now poised to advance to the knockout rounds, with a crucial match against Ghana scheduled for Saturday. Prior to the game, Elena Dejanovic captured the spirit among Croatian supporters, describing it as "ludilo," which translates to madness in Croatian. "This is perfect,” she said, celebrating the unity and camaraderie among fans. Dejanovic believed that the World Cup was a moment of togetherness for Toronto, where everyone came together as one.
Panama fan Armando Acosta echoed her sentiments, noting the familial atmosphere cultivated within the stadium. Regardless of the result, support for the Panama national team remained unwavering. "Panama is a small country with a big heart," said Johau Lewis, a dedicated fan who traveled from Panama. "And we come with faith."
