YOUR PASSPORT TO THE GLOBAL GAME | May 2026 | Vol. 15.1
In this (mid-)month’s issue:
🪪 How countries have used the World Cup to build identity
🌏 The world’s greatest derby distances
🏆 The ‘Holy Grail’ of WC26 ticket tracking (you’re welcome!)
➕ …and more!
We had to do it. There’s just too much footy news and too many World Cup updates to keep you waiting until the end of the month, so here’s the first half of your Footy Travelers’ Monthly come early.
Our recommended read below has us wondering: What will the legacy of WC26 be for Canada, the US, & Mexico? Surely different for each host nation, with so many factors at play. It also has us wondering what our own legacy will be (people actually read this and follow our other content…right?!). We’ve made a particular choice for our World Cup experience this summer (TBD on whether it’s a bold or foolish one). While others are committing to being on the ground Stateside for the whole tournament, building the game up here, we decided to stick a bit closer to our roots and origins, seeking connections with fans in a slightly ‘riskier’, but nonetheless adventurous way. But the reason why we think it’s the right move for us is the most important thing. Once WC26 is over, there will still be plenty of footy traveling to do all around the world, and the next World Cup will be exactly where we’ll be discovering new places and exploring this summer. So we’re considering it not so much “bailing on this World Cup” as we are “getting a head start on the next one”—and showing you what footy traveling can look like when you trade the obvious for the adventurous.
Whatever you think of our crazy plan, we hope you’ll keep us company. Follow along on our social channels for the best, most up to the minute updates, and consider it a preview of what it will be like to join one of our group trips over the next few years.
Which brings us to a small ask: a trip like this (and the content we'll be making from it the rest of the year) deserves a partner along for the ride. If you know a company or brand that would love exposure to a footy-loving audience during the world’s biggest footy-themed party—with their logo or product showing up in our social content, newsletter, or podcast through the rest of 2026—we'd love an introduction. Think footy gear, travel gear, beer, boots, headphones, travel snacks. Whatever a wandering football fan might love, we'll happily wear, drink, eat, pack, or talk about (within reason… probably). Send them our way at [email protected], or if you’re reading this over email, just hit ‘reply’ here and send us their info. We'll gratefully take it from there.
Until we hear from you…
Happy reading!
— Colin & Mike
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FROM OUR PARTNERS
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It’s never too early to plan for the next big tournament. If you’re looking for a great trip for EURO 2028 in the UK and Ireland—and you’re a runner or enjoy a good daily jaunt to get those steps in—we have a trip for you! Sign up for Race2Adventure’s UK EURO Experience today and use code ‘FFT200’ for $200 (USD) off.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE (MID-)MONTH 👍
From national pride to fascism: How countries have used the World Cup to build identity.
ALSO WORTH A READ 👌
For anyone who loves their US Soccer history: The forgotten tales of U.S. World Cup history
WORLD CUP WATCH
How much is our our idea to go to Europe for the World Cup actually worth? Technically speaking, we’ll call it the difference between what we actually spend and… $9,991! Here’s how we came up with that number.
14 of 16 World Cup venues face extreme heat risks, particularly in Texas and Mexico during July.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium owner Arthur Blank confirms concessions prices for the World Cup this summer. They’re actually a bit a shocking!
After a slight debacle at the Canadian border recently, Iran's FA chief is demanding FIFA guarantees that the IRGC will not be similarly insulted in the US before Iran competes in the 2026 World Cup. Good luck!
This website might be the ‘holy grail’ for FFTs who want to track prices of World Cup tickets across the whole tournament. FIFA is cooked!!
Opening ceremonies have been announced for each of the host nations’ first WC26 matches. And for as much as the Final’s halftime show will disrupt the flow of things, this lineup is sure to please a lot of people internationally.
Apparently Kansas City is emerging as the unexpected World Cup hotspot for 2026?!
Good news, bad news: NJ Transit is reducing train tickets to MetLife to $98. They also slashed bus prices down to $20 (from $80). Meet your bus driver:
Ending on a high note (?): Half of the 76 U.S.-based matches saw a 20%+ price drops over two weeks, signaling the anticipated late-stage correction has begun. US v Paraguay prices are included in the price drops.
AFRICA (CAF)
Cape Verde qualifying for WC26 is transforming the country's football culture and inspiring young players to pursue the sport at elite levels.
Plenty of African fans could still miss out on the World Cup despite the recent “visa bond U-turn,” thanks to an impossible caveat.
ASIA (AFC)
China has finally secured a FIFA World Cup broadcast deal, but India is still without a rights holder.
A North Korean soccer club is set to play a rare football match in South Korea, offering fans a unique glimpse into soccer across the divided peninsula.
Saudi derbies are on another level of intensity. Supporters of Al-Nassr reportedly stormed into Al-Hilal’s VIP area during the game… and they came swinging!
EUROPE (UEFA)
Exploring where supporters' favorite anthems come from and whether new chants can be organically created by fans during modern matches.
The UK is cracking down on ticket touting ahead of Euro 2028. No inflated ticket prices on secondary markets is fine by us!
The Prague derby between Slavia and Sparta was abandoned after hundreds of Slavia fans stormed the pitch in the final minutes, with Slavia seconds away from clinching the title.
Nearly 750,000 people celebrated Barcelona’s title in the streets (only further proving our WC trip to Europe—which will include Spain—is a brilliant way to experience the most passionate fans this summer).
NORTH AMERICA (CONCACAF)
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino argues the US (as a nation) lacks a deep "emotional relationship" with soccer.
Diego Luna stars in and produces Netflix's "Mexico 86," a new film exploring Mexico's historic 1986 World Cup hosting experience. Oh! No, not that Diego Luna.
Can this summer’s World Cup push footy into Canada's sporting mainstream?
“I watched bombs drop from 100 meters away.” How Haiti’s leading goal scorer recently escaped Iran, and another piece on Les Grenadiers’ return to the World Cup after 52 years.
OCEANIA (OFC)
Australia’s government overturns a decision banning World Cup matches from being shown in Melbourne's Fed Square.
New Zealand's historic World Cup squad features a 36-year-old—from the English fifth-tier no less!
SOUTH AMERICA (CONMEBOL)
A Copa Libertadores match between Flamengo and Independiente Medellin in was abandoned just after kick-off due to a supporter protest that saw a fire in the centre of one of the stands, and some fans storming the field.
Whether you love or loathe the Argentina National Team, this is an incredible FFT challenge to test yourself on!
Tottenham’s relegation battle is affecting the Argentinian national team, causing their kinesiologist Luis Garcia to travel to England. Here’s the explanation.
Why so much focus on Argentina in this one? They just won another title—this time for travel.
LOOKING TO VISIT SOUTH AMERICA YOURSELF?
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LAST MINUTE PACK JOB
PROS ARE FTs TOO!
European nations competing at the 2026 World Cup in North America expect financial losses due to soaring travel and accommodation costs.
Greenland: Home to a professional league where players travel significantly only once and the title is decided over the course of a single week.
TRAVEL SNACKS
Carlisle and Barrow will play in the National League’s “Cumbrian derby” next season. But the Carlisle-Barrow “derby” covers 78 miles, so… is it actually a derby? Some would say so, and would add that it’s nowhere near as far as the world’s farthest derby distance.
What we wouldn’t give to have been in Venice, celebrating Venezia’s Serie B league title with them on the canals.
BE LOUD. BE PROUD. AND BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER
Pro-Palestine? Anti-Israel? Or just a simple expression of solidarity with other humans? Lamine Yamal’s Palestine flag waving at Barça’s title parade has brought on a host of responses.