Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive show news, updates, and more!
Who Is Ivana Knoll, The World Cup’s ‘Hottest’ Fan?
Ivana Knoll, a former Miss Croatia, has been turning heads in Qatar as she supports her national team at the World Cup.
Ivana Knoll knows a thing or two about competition.
Having been previously crowned Miss Croatia in 2016, the German-born beauty has wisely used her pageant success to carve out an impressive following in a ridiculously cluttered social media space. And her presence supporting Croatia's national team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has been nothing short of heart-stopping.
While Croatia has been playing some superb footy in Qatar, even slaying the mighty Brazil, Knoll’s signature red and white checkered spandex bikini top and matching tights have already won the tournament. After flooding Instagram and Twitter with jaw-dropping content for days, not only has she damn near broke the internet in her curvy costume, but she’s also boldly defied the highly conservative Qatari law and cultural norms around dress code that strictly forbid showing so much skin.
RELATED: How To Sound Smart While Watching The World Cup With Friends
Knoll can’t, it appears, go wrong, and her skyrocketing fanbase is completely here for it. More than a few media outlets have dubbed her the World Cup's "hottest" fan. Though she says she has not had any issues with local authorities over her busty outfits, cameras clearly observed her getting into a heated discussion with stadium security during the quarterfinal clash between Croatia and Brazil. Naturally, she took her defense to the airwaves and talked to the greatest sleuth in England since Sherlock Holmes: Piers Morgan.
“I heard about the rules, and I was shocked,” Knoll revealed to her dazed host. “The dress code forbids showing shoulders, knees, belly and everything and I was like ‘Oh my God, I don’t even have the clothes to cover all of that’.
Despite her original worries, the vivacious 30-year-old digital influencer has found most people in Qatar to be more accommodating than she originally thought.
“I am very surprised and happy by the way the fans have respected my clothing in Qatar,” Knoll added. "I haven't had any bad reactions so far, not even one. Women, men, kids take pictures with me. … I’ve had photos with lots of people, and everyone seems happy to see me.”
"When I came here, I asked the locals what the rules were, and they said I could wear what I normally wear as they are making special rules for the World Cup. This is why I dress this way.”
Knoll has certainly been having fun watching her team progress through the tournament. Ahead of Croatia's Round of 16 match with Japan, Knoll posted an Instagram video of her chowing down on some sushi, noting it was "on today's menu." And ahead of the quarterfinal ouster of the vaunted Brazil side, who were widely seen as one of the favorites heading into the tournament, she posted a video of her dancing, just as Brazilian players have been doing after scoring a goal, inviting them to dance all the way home. With Argentina next up in the semifinals, she made a playful, if painful, prediction: Team Croatia all the way.
Watch Premier League coverage on USA Network, featuring Premier League Mornings, select matches, and Premier League Goal Zone (check listings for games/schedule). And catch up on all the action on Peacock.
