Ivana Knöll accuses England of arrogance ahead of England-Croatia World Cup clash

Ivana Knöll, a fixture in the Croatian stands since the 2014 World Cup, has opened verbal hostilities ahead of the group-stage encounter between Croatia and England at the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday, accusing the Three Lions of arrogance and overconfidence.

Guest on the BBC’s Football Heaven programme, the 2016 Miss Croatia finalist pulled no punches. “I think first of all that we will beat you. People underestimate us because we are a small nation,” she declared, before dismissing criticism of the Croatian squad’s age: “The biggest concern is people saying our players are old. Blah blah blah.” She then made a bold prediction: “I think we will definitely reach the quarter-finals.”

According to the Daily Mail, Knöll is also the figurehead of a Croatian campaign that directly targets English attitude, branded as boastful and arrogant. A symbolic charge that comes as Croatia can legitimately claim its status: runners-up in 2018, semi-finalists in 2022, Luka Modric’s squad is far from an ordinary outsider.

At 33, the model and DJ will be in the stands to support the Vatreni from this opening group match, as she has been at each of the last four World Cups. The Three Lions, meanwhile, will look to answer on the pitch.