Ivana Knoll, the influencer and DJ known as the World Cup's 'sexiest fan', was in attendance at Toronto Stadium on Tuesday night as Croatia secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama in a crucial Group L match. She wore a Croatian checkerboard-themed bikini top and matching headband, keeping the heat up on a breezy evening near Lake Ontario.
Knoll's viral presence at the World Cup
Knoll had previously expressed disappointment after Croatia's 4-2 loss to England in their opener at Dallas Stadium. 'Of course I'm disappointed with the result, but I'll always support my team,' she said. 'I think Croatia can play much better than what we showed in the first game.'
During that match, she turned heads in a 'barely there' Croatian flag-themed top. After the loss, she noted that six points were still available in the next two games. Croatia secured three of those points on Tuesday night in Toronto.
Her favourite World Cup memory
Knoll shared snaps from the southside stands on social media throughout the match. However, she said this game won't top her charts. 'Nothing will ever compare to the World Cup final in 2018,' she said. 'Watching the entire country come together and seeing our team make history was an unforgettable moment.'
With Croatia's first win of the tournament, Knoll remains hopeful for another deep run. 'If I didn't believe Croatia could win the World Cup, I wouldn't be here,' she said. 'Of course I believe Croatia can win it and our team has shown many times that they can surprise the world. I'm here to support Croatia all the way and I believe anything is possible.'
What else has Knoll been doing in Toronto?
After performing at Club E11even in Miami on Sunday night, Knoll flew to Toronto. She was interviewed by CBC News ahead of the match and joined a massive rally of Croatian fans parading toward the lakeside stadium. Following the game, she was set to perform at Lavelle nightclub for an after party. 'Then we celebrate,' she told CBC. 'We celebrate the win!'
Croatia could return to Toronto for a Round of 32 match if they finish second in Group L. With England and Ghana drawing 0-0 on Tuesday, both have four points, with England leading on tiebreakers. If England beats Panama and Croatia defeats Ghana, Croatia would finish second and return to Toronto.
How Ivana Knoll became popular
Knoll first gained attention after winning Miss Croatia in 2016, but rose to social media stardom during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where she was often spotted cheering for Croatia and dubbed the tournament's 'sexiest fan'. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, before moving to Zagreb, she also attended Croatia's matches at Euro 2024. She now boasts more than three million followers on Instagram.
