Sport has long ceased to be merely a physical activity; it has become a cultural code, a social phenomenon, and a powerful instrument of unity. Since prehistoric times, human communities have used competitive games to develop essential survival skills: running, throwing, wrestling, swimming, and archery. These early forms of sport had a distinctly military purpose, yet as civilizations evolved, new games emerged-those played with balls, sticks, and spheres-along with the first specially constructed arenas. Thus, sport gradually became an integral part of society’s cultural fabric.
The true rise of the modern sports movement began in England in the mid‑19th century. It was then that the idea of achieving maximum results through discipline, perseverance, and dedication took shape-principles that still define contemporary sport. Among all disciplines, football stands out as a global phenomenon. It is accessible, democratic, and universally understood-a game that can be played anywhere and by anyone. Unsurprisingly, studies consistently identify it as the most popular sport in the world, capable of uniting people across cultures, generations, and social groups.
Major football tournaments, especially the World Cup, have the power to erase differences between people. For an entire month, millions share the same emotions, expectations, and passion. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is historic in its concept-for the first time, three countries will host the event together: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The opening ceremony will take place on 11 June at the legendary Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, while the grand final will be held on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New York. This tournament promises not only a spectacular sporting event but also a cultural bridge connecting three nations and the entire world.
To honor this global football celebration, Croatian Post Mostar is issuing a special commemorative series titled “Let’s Celebrate Sports”, dedicated to football. The artistic design, created by Ivica Madžar, presents a dynamic and modern composition that captures the essence of the game-movement, energy, and emotion. The issue consists of two postage stamps, printed in a sheet of 8 stamps and 2 vignettes, accompanied by a special postmark and a First Day Cover (FDC). This collector’s set combines sports themes, contemporary design, and high production quality.
The stamps measure 35.50 × 29.82 mm, printed on white gummed paper (102 g) with comb perforation 14. The printing was carried out by AKD d.o.o. Zagreb, and the date of issue is 11 June 2026. The nominal value is 2 × 3.80 BAM, with a total quantity of 5,000 series, making the issue particularly attractive to philatelists. The sheet contains 8 stamps and 2 vignettes, which enrich the visual concept and emphasize the sporting character of the edition.
With this issue, Croatian Post Mostar not only marks one of the most significant sporting events of the decade-it pays tribute to sport as a universal language that connects people. Football transcends borders, while philately preserves these moments in time. Together, they create a commemorative issue that will undoubtedly find its place in collections around the world.
All philatelic products from the series are also available online at www.epostshop.ba.
