THE ATHLETIC — One of the world’s most respected sports publications has turned its attention to Croatia! FULL ARTICLE
As part of its World Cup series, The Language of Soccer, The Athletic is exploring all 48 nations competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup through a single phrase that captures the spirit of each country’s football culture. For Croatia, that phrase is Uvijek Vjerni — Always Faithful.
The feature examines what makes Croatian supporters unique. From packed stadiums in Zagreb and Split, to Croatian “doms” across North America, Australia, and beyond, the story explores how a nation of fewer than four million people continues to produce one of the most passionate and recognizable supporter cultures in world football.
Croatian Sports is proud to have contributed to the project. The Athletic featured CroatianSports founder Ante Kvartuc, who helped explain the deeper meaning behind Uvijek Vjerni. While the phrase is often associated with loyalty to the Croatian National Team, Ante explains that its meaning goes much deeper.
Being Uvijek Vjerni is not just about being faithful to our team.
It’s about being faithful to each other.
Faithful to our families. Faithful to our communities. Faithful to our heritage. Faithful to the generations that came before us and the generations that will follow.
It’s why Croatians from every corner of the world gather when the national team plays. It’s why complete strangers become family for 90 minutes. And it’s why supporting Croatia is about much more than football.
The Athletic’s feature also includes a video produced by CroatianSports that explores the meaning of Uvijek Vjerni and the unique bond that connects Croatians across the globe.
As Croatia prepares for another World Cup journey, we’re honored to help tell our story to a global audience.
Because being Croatian isn’t just where you’re from. It’s who you are.
Uvijek Vjerni. 🇭🇷💪🏻
Great job Ante
This was beautiful Ante
The MOST beautiful thing you’ve ever posted
Full of Croatian heart and soul
It brought a tear to Anonymous’ eye(-tests)
❤️
Anonymous
Thanks for everything you do great Work. Can’t wait for this WC to start. 🇭🇷🔥⚽️🥇
😊
Any Hrvat that has to deal with TheTruth, Anonymous, and all the other arrogant, prideful pretenders not only deserves a medal but a lifetime achievement award.
Bravo Ante
P.S. You pass the great nose picker eye test 🙂
Haha…thanks buddy. I appreciate it and got a good laugh from that. 🙂
Dear Ante, thank you for all your hard work. Your words are inspirational and I hope our Vatreni can see this video become and inspired to go out and fight and win
Thank you. Just happy to be here and want the team to do well.
Ante has done a wonderful job with Croatian Sports and it’s great to see his contribution being respected by all of us who participate in Croatian Sports website and by the Athletic. Congrats Ante, it’s incredible to see the growth of the site and awareness of Croatian sports around the world
Appreciate the kind words. Sincerely. Going to be one hell of a World Cup with all of you!