During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a Croatian fan stole as many glances as several footballers. It was Ivana Knöll, the model and influencer who became world-famous for attending Croatia’s matches in tight red-and-white checkered outfits and for defying the host country’s strict cultural norms.
Four years later, Ivana is back at the World Cup, and many fans were quick to compare her current appearance with the one that turned her into an international celebrity.
In Qatar, her image exploded on social media. She went from being a relatively well-known influencer in Croatia to amassing millions of followers, appearing in media outlets around the world, and becoming one of the most photographed figures of the tournament.
Now, at the 2026 World Cup, Ivana appeared once again in the stands supporting Croatia. However, many users are commenting that her presence is different: she is no longer the unknown woman who surprised everyone in Qatar, but an internet celebrity arriving with worldwide fame, advertising deals, and millions of followers behind her.
The comparisons were quick to flood social media. Some believe she keeps exactly the same style that made her famous, while others insist that the surprise of 2022 is impossible to repeat.
The truth is that, four years later, Ivana Knöll is still achieving something very few fans manage: becoming a topic of conversation during every World Cup she attends.
