Watching Croatia’s World Cup game in Strawberry Hill is 'like a family reunion’

If you’re ever in Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas, on a game day you may hear faint chanting coming from St. John the Baptist Croatian Parish off of 4th Street. It’s a frequent sound that echoes the area, as hundreds of Croatians gather in the Catholic Club to cheer on the national soccer team.

Wednesday night was no different, as Croatia had its first 2026 World Cup match facing England in Dallas. Hundreds of fans came to support their team and embrace the tight community at the watch party.

St. John’s Catholic Club is a historic organization connected to the Strawberry Hill church in KCK. The parish was founded by Croatian immigrants in 1900 to provide a community to the growing Croatian population. The club formed 22 years later as a recreational center.

Denny Tokić is the president of the club. He said the community has only been growing, and more people have been attracted to the events the club throws, like the watch party.

“There’s very hardcore soccer fans, and those that want to be,” he said. “But they want to come and experience that with us.”

Tokić told The Star that the connection of the community is special, and that the ancestors that helped build it would be proud of how they actively continue the tradition.

“Because without the church, we don’t exist,” he said.

Mia Tomašić attends the church with her family, who regularly attend the events. Her family is deeply rooted in Strawberry Hill, and they’ve worked to continue their ancestral traditions.

“We have our own family of Croatians in Kansas City that we’ve built here that our grandparents and great grandparents have built,” she said. “We get to enjoy what they built so many years ago today.”

Before the match began, the entire room was packed with people donning checkered jerseys and Croatian flags. There are multiple TVs around the facility, including a large projector displaying the game above the club’s personal bowling alley.

“This is small in comparison to how big it can get when everybody wants to show up,” Andy Mikešić told The Star.

Mikešić is a member of the club, and has grown up in the parish and community. He said he feels extremely supported by the surrounding group.

“I am somebody that the Croatian community has taken a little bit of time to accept as a gay man,” he said. “But I feel very loved and accepted.”

During half time, the fans went outside to celebrate and take pictures. Croatia was tied with England, a big feat for a team from one of the smallest countries in the World Cup.

“Losing to England is nothing to be embarrassed [about],” Mario Visković said. “We prove again, we can compete with the big teams.”

They danced, sang and played soccer until the game was ready to continue. Soon enough, they stuffed themselves back into the building to support their team.

“Everybody comes together, and it’s like one big family reunion,” Stephanie Wiber said.

Though Croatia lost the match 4-2, guests stayed long after the game to sing and celebrate the match. Tokić said planning these events is like “planning a family wedding every three days,” but it’s worth it for the community it brings together. Even more, everyone jumps in to help out with planning and preparation when they can.

“This is reinforcing why we’re in the community,” he said.