The historic success of the national soccer squad is now the dominant topic of media reports and conversations among ordinary citizens.
With the tournament entering its last stage, Croatia's streets, cafes and public buildings are more and more decorated with national flags and symbols, and the national checkered jersey is now a must-have item not only for fans but also for state officials, waiters, shop assistants, bank clerks and employees in companies and state institutions.
During a cabinet meeting on Thursday, all ministers sported Croatian national soccer jerseys and joined in congratulations to the team coached by Zlatko Dalic for the bravery and patriotism they have shown so far in the competition.
Foreign media have noted that Croatia have become the 13th team to contest the final and the first new finalists since Spain in 2010. Before this, Croatia's best result was the bronze medal at the World Cup in France in 1998, and since then Croatia failed to get past the group stage.
PM tells CNN national football team's making it to World Cup finals historic event
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic told CNN on Thursday that the national football team's making it to the World Cup finals to play France was a historic event for Croatian sports.
The team have played very well throughout the tournament, he said, noting that its chief players currently played in some of the best European football clubs and leagues.
"Only 20 years has passed since our last semifinals in France and repeating it already now, you can imagine that going to the finals has brought a sort of delirious atmosphere in Croatia," Plenkovic told CNN which carried his statement as part of a report on the current football euphoria in Croatia.
Footballers to get heroes' welcome in Zagreb
Zagreb is preparing a magnificent welcome ceremony for the national soccer team on Monday, regardless of whether they finish first or second in the tournament.
Hundreds of thousands of revellers are expected in Zagreb's main square on Monday afternoon to welcome their heroes: Danijel Subasic, Lovre Kalinic, Dominik Livakovic, Vedran Corluka, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic, Dejan Lovren, Sime Vrsaljko, Josip Pivaric, Tin Jedvaj, Duje Caleta-Car, Luka Modric , Ivan Rakitic, Mateo Kovacic, Milan Badelj, Marcelo Brozovic, Filip Bradaric, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Marko Pjaca and Ante Rebic.
Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said on Friday that security assessments were being made and other plans were being carried out in cooperation with the city authorities to make sure that the welcome ceremony was to the highest standard.
Thousands of Croats would like to attend Sunday's final match and the 1,500 lucky of them have manged to obtain tickets and will fly aboard seven charter planes from Zagreb to Moscow on Sunday morning.
The cost of the same-day return charter flight is about 12,000 kuna (1,625 euros), and does not include a ticket price. Prices of the final match tickets are about 3,000 kuna and rise up to 10,000 for VIP tickets on the black market.
PM Plenkovic on Friday called on employers to award a day off, where it is possible, to their workers on Monday so that they can join in the welcome party for the soccer team.
The national team and its manager Dalic will be decorated by President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic on Monday evening in her office. The president will officially represent Croatia at the World Cup final match with France in Moscow on Sunday, the government said on Thursday.
The homecoming party will be broadcast live on HRT public television.