The Croatian Minister of Tourism and Sports has set aside EUR 15 million for, amongst others, 84 infrastructure projects including synthetic turf and natural turf sports surfaces.

“Through this systematic investment, we want to provide optimal conditions for practising sports, both for our top athletes and the citizens in all parts of Croatia and in all different sports,” Minister Nikolina Brnjac announced.

“This year, two athletic tracks, nine soccer fields/large natural grass fields, 22 soccer fields with artificial grass (5 large and 17 small), seven tennis courts, ten sports halls, 16 outdoor sports fields and 14 outdoor sports fields that will be co-financed.”

UEFA and FIFA recognition

The investments in Croatia have not gone unnoticed.

“The development of football infrastructure remains one of the strategic goals of the Croatian Football Federation. You have installed a large number of artificial pitches, as well as hybrid pitches in first-league stadiums. We are also pleased with the agreement on the construction of the Croatian Football Federation’s training camp, and we see concrete steps taken in that regard,” UEFA Advisor for National Associations Jozef Kliment told the Croatian FA recently at the FA’s national assembly.

“We are glad that UEFA can support such projects through the Hat-Trick programme. I congratulate you on all these achievements and wish you all the best, especially the national team at Euro 2024, which starts in less than two months. UEFA is on your side, and you can always count on our support.”

Marion Gavat, the Regional Coordinator for European National Associations at FIFA, conveyed a similar message.

“When it comes to investing in football, we are pleased to have participated together in numerous projects through the FIFA Forward programme.”

With a population of just over 4 million people, Croatia is one of the smaller European countries. Yet, it won silver and bronze medals in two consecutive World Cups.