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Former Miss Croatia Ivana Knoll has emerged as the face of Croatian fans at the World Cup in Qatar.
Knoll has gained millions of adoring new fans thanks to her spirited and daring outfits featuring elements of the Croatian flag.
Qatar is very strict on revealing clothing, but that hasn’t stopped her from wearing revealing outfits to the matches and the beach – clothing some have referred to as “law breaking outfits.”
Not all of the attention the former Miss Croatia has received has been welcome. She recently revealed the Qatari World Cup security has been rude and prevented fans from taking photos with her.
Prior to the World Cup, Qatar stated “visitors are expected to show respect for local culture by avoiding excessively revealing clothing in public,” adding that “it is generally recommended for men and women to ensure their shoulders and knees are covered.” That was their public message.
However, once Ivana Knoll was in the country it was a different story. She previously told TMZ, “The locals confirmed to me that I can wear whatever I want.”
Knoll added, “But I didn’t know that my video in a bikini walking by the sea would be such a big deal. The whole country is speaking about it. Everybody knows me here, and I saw that I was accepted.”
She has been pushing the envelope of “legal clothing” and “acceptable outfits” with every passing day.
The former Miss Croatia told Piers Morgan, “I didn’t have any bad reaction as I told you Qatari people, Arabic people coming to me, to do photos with me, even very nice female and woman’s on the stadium on the last game they came, the photo went also viral with a nice hijab, and they came to me to do photos with me in my outfit.”
During various public appearances, Knoll has been mobbed by fans in Qatar:
She has also found a new audience in foodies. They’ve admired how Miss Croatia found the best sushi in Doha:
The Croatian National Team was back in action on Tuesday’s semi-finals. With only four teams left in the 2022 World Cup, Ivana Knoll made sure to stand out in the stands.
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Prior to the Croatia-Argentina semi-final matchup, Ivana Knoll’s Instagram story revealed she had spent the day at the spa. She also had her makeup professionally done by the same makeup artist who did her makeup in the quarterfinals:
Prior to her spa day and professional makeup, Ivana Knoll was seen in the fan village kicking a soccer ball around:
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Many fans who had no rooting interest in Tuesday’s game are now suddenly hoping that Croatia can advance to the finals. Wonder why?