LIVE World Cup

Whether you call it soccer or football, every four years the world’s attention is snared by the drama, excitement, and heartbreak of the FIFA World Cup. While the tournament began with teams representing 32 nations, packed with juggernauts the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Eden Hazard, and Luis Suárez, the final match to decide who will lift the famed cup will pit Antoine Griezmann and a storied France squad against Luka Modrić and Croatia, the smallest nation to ever reach the World Cup finals.

To celebrate the achievements of the French and Croatian teams thus far, let’s explore homes from the final two nations before they square off in Sunday’s highly-anticipated match.

Senj, Croatia

Marko Pažanin, Croatia Sotheby’s International Realty 

The beautiful Croatian coast hides a world-class rarity, a unique 220,000-square-meter property comprising five buildings with sea water swimming pools, a heliport, a private beach and marine, bowling, tennis and basketball courts, a paintball field, a four-kilometer promenade, an orchard with olive groves, and a Smart golf course. Its location on a peninsula makes it easily accessible, while providing the complete isolation of a private island. The Adria property is currently set up for business purposes, but can easily be adapted to the needs of a family.

Split, Croatia

Marko Pažanin, Croatia Sotheby’s International Realty 

This luxury urban villa features a spectacular view of the city of Split and the Diocletian’s Palace, as well as the open sea and the nearby islands. Vila Luxe offers four stories of living space and includes a basement with a garage and a garden with a 60-square-meter swimming pool. The basement’s open floor plan covers 260-square-meters.In addition to the spacious living areas provided, the villa also has a sprawling yard bordering with the green zone of Marjan Park Forest.

Zagreb, Croatia

Marko Pažanin, Croatia Sotheby’s International Realty 

This tremendous home features a beautiful view to Samobor, Sveta Nedelja, as well as Medvednica and Zagreb. The villa’s location is ideal for a fusion of privacy and locale; it benefits from its prime placement, but leverages its seclusion and private environment.  It was constructed in accordance with the highest standards and uses top-quality construction materials; the roof is covered with repurposed stone that was once used as the roofing for lavish castles owned by European nobility.

Paris, France

Frank Sylvaire & Joanna Jourdes, Paris Ouest Sotheby’s International Realty 

This private 17^thcentury mansion is situated in the heart of Paris. Dwelling around a paved courtyard it comprises two main buildings and a third paneled building. Entirely renovated whilst preserving all the original features such as a Renaissance staircase, the doors and wood paneling, the basement showcases a superb swimming pool and a wine cellar. This exceptional home, located on a pedestrian street and protected from prying eyes, enjoys a stunning view of Notre-Dame de Paris.

Cannes, France

Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty

This luxury 490-square-meter contemporary villa is located in the most prestigious area of Cannes, the “Californie.” Surrounded by some of the most luxurious properties in the region, this contemporary estate enjoys a highly sought-after residential location and features panoramic sea views from any part of the property. Infinity pool. On the ground floor overlooking the garden, its infinity pool, and pool house, you will find the living room with its fire place and a dining room flooded with natural light. The bay windows open onto a massive terrace with a jacuzzi and a large space for entertaining. On the underground, the wine cellar and a two-bedroom apartment are available to host your guests.

Rambouillet, France

Sophie Cardon, Paris Ouest Sotheby’s International Realty 

This late 17^thcentury manor built on nine acres including a garden, kitchen garden, woods, horse pastures, tennis court and swimming pool. The domain itself also comprises two farmsteads composed of four master’s houses, a hunting lodge, a former dairy workshop and a groundskeeper house. An exceptional hunting ground, it is divided between a third of woodland placed under a simple management plan, ideal for big game, and two thirds of flats and fields particularly favorable for small game (partridge, pheasants and migratory birds). One two-acre pond completes this property at Paris’s doors.

See who will raise this cup this Sunday, on Fox