Alexandria Proposed Friendship Agreement With Osijek, Croatia

Mayor Alyia Gaskins initiated the partnership following the Croatian national team's residency in the city.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Soccer

A historic red-brick municipal building facade in Alexandria with sunlit cobblestones in the foreground. — Alexandria officials are pursuing a formal friendship city agreement with Osijek, Croatia, to sustain cultural and tourism connections formed during the 2026 World Cup. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Mayor Alyia Gaskins has proposed a friendship city agreement with Osijek, Croatia, to build upon the community connection formed during the 2026 World Cup. The proposal follows a successful welcome event for the Croatian National Football Team that drew hundreds of residents.

Why it matters

The initiative aims to formalize the international relationship and sustain the tourism interest Alexandria gained while hosting the Croatian national team. Officials believe a friendship agreement will leverage the visibility generated by the team's residency for continued cultural exchange.

Alexandria currently maintains formal sister city relationships with four locations in Scotland, Sweden, Armenia, and France. The city now seeks to establish a time-limited friendship city agreement with Osijek, Croatia, as a distinct alternative to existing designations.

The players

Alyia Gaskins

She serves as the Mayor of Alexandria and initiated the proposal for the new international friendship agreement.

Croatian National Football Team

The professional sports organization utilized Alexandria as its base camp during the World Cup.

The details

The proposal calls for the formation of a friendship city subcommittee to support the partnership, which requires a formal City Council resolution for approval. This connection seeks to solidify bonds initially forged when the Croatian National Football Team utilized the city as a base camp.

The Croatian national team held a welcome event in June 2026.
Visit Alexandria held its annual member meeting on September 17, 2026.
Mayor Gaskins proposed the friendship city agreement on September 22, 2026.
The City Council is scheduled to consider the proposal on October 13, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This proposal follows the precedent set by the Sister Cities International program guidelines to foster long-term municipal diplomacy. By creating a time-limited friendship agreement, the city establishes a flexible alternative to traditional sister city frameworks.

Residents can anticipate the formation of a new friendship city subcommittee, which will involve community members in managing cultural exchanges. The formalization of the agreement is intended to maintain the increased tourism and international visibility observed after the World Cup event.

The takeaway

Formalizing this international connection allows Alexandria to leverage the lasting impact of major sporting events for local tourism. Residents should monitor upcoming council discussions to see how this time-limited partnership will influence future cultural initiatives.