YOUR PASSPORT TO THE GLOBAL GAME | May 2026 | Vol. 15.2
In this month’s issue:
🚫 What FIFA is banning at WC26
🎟️ World Cup ticket scalpers come clean
🇪🇺 Every UEFA nation at WC26 ranked… for travel!
➕ …and more!
You’ve been waiting for this one haven’t you? Well it’s finally here. Our last monthly newsletter ahead of World Cup 2026 kick-off! The best news of all? There’s really no major shocks (trust us, that’s a good thing).
It’s still a standoff between the low expectations of frustrated fans and the high prices of WC26 access—tickets, transport, hotels, and… parking among the major, still-skyward costs. Will there be a correction as we get closer to kick-off? Will Infantino feel as ‘gay’ and universally empathetic as he did right before WC22? Heck we’d take it if he felt as resigned and desperate as he did ahead of some of last summer’s CWC25 matches. Our hopes for him being anything but himself, or FIFA overall for that matter, are minimal though (especially if his latest public gaffe is any indicator).
If you missed our mid-month emergency edition with the first half of May’s footy and travel-relevant news, skip the inbox search and check it out here. As for the second half, we’ve included the stories that stood out to us as usual… but wait, there’s more!
We’re also including a return to FTP episodes with a great conversation Colin had with ‘Europe United’ author Matt Walker to discuss the best and worst countries to target during our “Chasing the World Cup Spirit” trip next month. Apart from the conversation with Matt, we’re feeling even more confident about our European adventure after a German economist predicted an all European semi final round!
And if all of this World Cup and European adventure talk is getting you excited, curious, or outright frothing about some footy travel of your own, remember that it’s never too early to start planning the next one. Check out our updated trips page to register your interest in our small group trips coming up in 2026 & 2027. Looking for something a little further out? Join our partner Race 2 Adventure’s Euro 2028 trip through host country England—and use code ‘FFT200’ for $200 (USD) off.*
Happy reading!
— Colin & Mike
P.S. We’re still looking for partners and sponsors for our World Cup trip through Europe. If you know a brand that would be a good fit, we’d love to be connected ([email protected]). We’ll send anyone who refers us to a successful connection their very own, brand new, Footy Travelers third edition ‘Away’ kit (before we release it to the public—and before Mike even gets his!). Yes, this one ⬇️
Help us grow by forwarding this to a friend. Are you that friend? Subscribe here! Then explore what we’re all about at footytravelers.com.
Some articles we share may sit behind a paywall or require an account to access. We include them because we think they (and the journalists who wrote them) are worth it.
*Full disclosure that The Footy Travelers will receive a small commission.
FTP IS BACK! Colin recently sat down with author of ‘Europe United’, and the man behind 2022’s “Eat the World Cup” project Matt Walker to get an expert’s perspective on all 16 European nations competing at World Cup 2026, and the best and worst countries to target during our “Chasing the World Cup Spirit” trip next month.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE MONTH
Check out Matt’s 55footballnations.com website and grab your own copy of his incredible book, ‘Europe United.”
WORLD CUP WATCH
The attorneys general of NY and NJ have launched an investigation into FIFA’s 2026 World Cup ticketing practices, and have sent the governing body subpoenas in what appears to be the most serious probe of their ticket sales process yet.
Ticket scalping has gotten out of control in our opinion. Some WC ticket scalpers recently admitted to the aspect of it that we find to be the biggest problem: “I had sold a lot before owning any.”
In case you’re wondering where FIFA stands on alternative channels distributing their tickets, a non-profit organization supporting people with serious spinal injuries was forced to cancel a raffle for World Cup tickets after receiving legal letters from a law firm on behalf of the world governing body.
On the flip side, FIFA is being threatened with legal action over its plan to ban a certain flag from World Cup matches. Any guesses which one it is? (more on that below)
Hotel bookings for WC26 still showing little to no signs of a tourism boom in the US. Is the initial ‘price scare’ insurmountable?
NYC is launching initiatives for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the "NYC Neighborhood Passport," to help visitors and locals explore all five boroughs during the tournament.
Kansas City is WC26’s smallest U.S. host city, but is expecting over 650,000 visitors. How are they going to deal with that crowd (one that’s )? They built an entirely new transit system!
AFRICA (CAF)
Several angles on CAF’s most interesting entrant in to WC26
DR Congo was forced to cancel pre-World Cup camp in Kinshasa due to Ebola outbreak
Meanwhile, FIFA is working out how they can safely travel to the United States amid that outbreak in Central Africa
Good news for DRC superfan ‘Lumumba’ (Michel Nkuka Mboladinga) though. He’s been included in the country’s official WC26 delegation.
ASIA (AFC)
No surprise here: Iran continues to be the most talked about AFC entrant
Earlier in the month, FIFA arranged a “decisive” meeting with delegates from the Iran Football Federation to discuss issues surrounding Iran's WC26 participation.
Some of the results?
FIFA will prohibit flags and apparel at World Cup matches that feature pre-revolutionary Iran symbolism
Iran has shifted its World Cup 2026 training base from Arizona to Mexico… with FIFA approval.
EUROPE (UEFA)
With West Ham’s relegation, London is set to lose £2.5m thanks to a drop in commercial revenue generated by their home ground, London Stadium. Wonder if the prospect of encouraging more footy traveling guests in an attempt to recover losses through tourism has crossed their mind?
Congratulations to Pellegrino Matarazzo: The first American coach to win major trophy in Europe!
Europe at large is seemingly backed to outperform all other regions at this summer’s WC, with 4 UEFA nations picked to make it to the semi-final round. This all according to a German economist who correctly predicted the winners of the past 3 World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022).
NORTH AMERICA (CONCACAF)
Gotham FC will temporarily relocate to New York City this July while their home stadium hosts 2026 World Cup watch party events
What a time to be alive! Apple TV broadcasts MLS meeting between LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo solely using an iPhone
As this (The) Athletic story demonstrates, it’s tough to mention Estadio Akron in Guadalajara without acknowledging the violence of Mexico’s war on drugs, and the sadder history of the stadium’s surroundings.
Mexico is going beyond standard event guides during World Cup 2026 with its fully integrated tourism app, Invita.
OCEANIA (OFC)
Auckland FC, who just became the first team from ‘across the ditch’ to win the A-League, is leading a golden era for New Zealand football
Should we be worried about losing Australia as a footy— well… football/soccer destination? Australia’s FA is preparing for staff cuts following a second consecutive financial loss
SOUTH AMERICA (CONMEBOL)
Colombia is launching a bold World Cup tourism campaign across twenty Mexican airports, hoping to intercept both global and regional footy travelers
New footy travel destination unlocked? Belgrano de Córdoba were crowned champions of Argentina for the first time ever in their 120+ year history, after an unforgettable final against River Plate.
We were recently asked by an FFT how to get tickets to Brasilian club matches. Although the easiest way is usually going to a club’s ticketing office a few days before, that’s not always possible for FFTs arriving just before on on a matchday. In which case, this website can come in handy—as long as you know Portuguese!
LAST MINUTE PACK JOB
PROS ARE FTs TOO!
Everyone’s been talking about it. You might be interested in it yourself, especially if you live nearby one of these locations (imagine running into Lamine at a local coffee shop in Chattanooga, Tennessee!). Here’s where every national team will be based this summer.
TRAVEL SNACKS
Hundreds of NYC restaurants are offering $26 dining deals during the World Cup.
In case you’ve forgotten just how great it is to be alive in 2026 (what a time!), imagine having to do this to keep up with World Cup results back in 1974.