YOUR PASSPORT TO THE GLOBAL GAME | Vol. 13
In this month’s issue:
🎟️ Last chance for World Cup 2026 tickets
🤝 A World Cup ‘boycott’ compromise
✈️ Trans-Atlantic flights for footy… haircuts?
Fellow footy travelers! After a cozy little winter break that included a first-time trip to Japan and a frosty opening weekend of J-League in Tokyo… we are back! And, we’re less than 75 days away from World Cup 2026. If you’ve lost track of the countdown to kick-off, don’t worry—we have you covered with our very first web app (a WC26 countdown and tournament tracker). There’s some other incredibly important WC26 news and updates below, but first, are we the only ones who are feeling conflicted (yet again!) about the World Cup writ large?
Oliver Kay summed it up most succinctly this month when he said that “this one feels different.” Jon Tolbert may have articulated it best though, explaining the small bit of self-hatred that conscientious soccer fans the world over struggle with (and how FIFA exploits it). We offered our own thoughts on it all yesterday, including what we think is a great compromise in the ‘boycott the World Cup’ debate.
In other news, CAF stripped Senegal of its AFCON title, a footy traveler makes a 366-mile mistake, and after an asylum saga in Australia, most of Iran’s women’s national team returned home to their war-torn country. There were stories of the more ‘successful’ variety though, like Denver Summit smashing the NWSL’s previous single match attendance record with their home opener at Mile High. And, as we tend to do, we have found stories and reasons to be hopeful for footy, and humanity. We’d even say we’re starting to get World Cup fever (these English fans have had it since 2022).
However you’re feeling about the upcoming World Cup, it’s coming. Fast and quick. Get ready with the nuggets we’ve included below.
Happy reading!
— Colin & Mike
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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.
Two words: Tokyo. Verdy! Yes, there’s a Portuguese influence here. Yes it’s amazing. The Verdy experience, J-League overall, Tokyo itself. All that to say… Yes! We’re going back for a group trip soon!
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.
Can’t wait for the next FFT or discounted partner trip? Wherever you’re going, you can still connect with the culture and experience matchday with a local expert with Homefans. Fellow footy travelers who book with code ‘FOOTYTRAVELERS10’ get 10% off their next matchday experience.
FROM THE ARCHIVE
In case you missed it, the world famous Dutch Orange Bus is coming to World Cup 2026, along with hordes of freaky-deaky Dutch supporters, “Links’ing” and “Rechts’ing” their way through the heart of Texas. If you’re not familiar, we got you covered. Tune in to our conversation with one of its co-creators, Henk van Beek back in 2023. (listen on: Apple | Spotify | somewhere else).
WORLD CUP WATCH
Your last chance to get tickets through FIFA begins tomorrow (April 1) at 11am EDT. The last minute sales phase will run through the end of the tournament, although there’s no guarantee what tickets or matches will be available. Your other option is the FIFA resale platform, allowing you to buy from those looking to get rid of theirs—at whatever price they set.
Was it an old Chinese proverb that said “After cabin fever comes World Cup fever”? No? Maybe just a timing of coincidence then. Or maybe the recent WC26 jersey drops? We do love us some fresh kits! Sounds like the players actually had their voices heard in the making of the latest US Soccer collection.
Good news, bad news? World Cup 2026’s environmental impact could be proportional to the tournament, that is, “the biggest ever.” But also, here’s how to save the World Cup.
Bureaucrats doing their jobs!: The current US Congress is speaking out against World Cup ticket prices, urging FIFA to lower them. Meanwhile, in Europe, Football Supporters Europe and Euroconsumers filed a suit against FIFA over "sky-high" World Cup ticket prices.
You’ve heard the US-Iran ‘98 story before, but never this in-depth. And here, Michael Lewis goes even deeper with a look at teams who were banned or did not attend previous WCs.
AFRICA (CAF)
The official CAF statement on the AFCON decision.
Is anyone surprised by Senegal's government alleging corruption and their plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport?
Why Senegal’s September kit release will still feature a second star denoting their AFCON 2025 victory, despite CAF stripping them of the title.
ASIA (AFC)
Most of the Iranian women’s national team has returned home after seeking asylum in Australia.
FIFA maintains that the World Cup schedule will remain unchanged, despite any doubts over Iran's participation amid war in the Middle East.
FIFA has received criticism over its decision to take no action against Israeli teams playing in the West Bank.
The Women's Asian Cup final sets attendance record with 74,397 fans, highlighting the growing popularity of women's football globally.
There is war in the Middle East, but Asian Champions League Elite footy is pressing forward, just with some rescheduling and adjustments.
EUROPE (UEFA)
Good news for FFTs with Premier League club memberships: officials extended a £30 cap on away ticket prices for a further two seasons.
Footy traveling gone wrong: A 366-miles mistake took this Barça fan to the wrong St James Park—and made him miss their Champions League match against Newcastle!
UEFA held a lottery window earlier this month for tickets for the Finals of its 4 major club competitions (UCL, Europa League, Conference League, and Women’s Champions Leagues). They made it a point to note how accessible and affordable they are.
The truth behind Fulham footy travelers and their ‘posh’ away day cheese boards.
NORTH AMERICA (CONCACAF)
NWSL teams making bespoke women’s stadiums? Naturally. Flexible seating for people to be communal? Beautiful!
Mexico’s going hard to get ready for World Cup 2026, and to smash records previously held by the US.
Are you a ‘Type A’ FFT already making travel plans for next MLS season? Better make them quick, the ‘sprint’ schedule sure will be!
The US Open Cup officially kicked off this month, with Round 2 taking place March 31 - April 1.
Denver Summit FC smash NWSL’s single match attendance record with their home opener at Denver’s Mile High Stadium (We were there).
OCEANIA (OFC)
“We don’t worry about the journey.” Germain Haewegene discusses New Caledonia’s 30-hour, 12,000 mile journey home after collecting the country’s first win on European soil during its time playing there (and why their French connection created problems ahead of the trip).
SOUTH AMERICA (CONMEBOL)
Unconfirmed, but it sounds like Argentina weren’t fans of Finalissima contingency plans that would have kept it on the schedule. They’re playing friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia in Buenos Aires instead.
Watching a match from a cable car? This might be ‘footy traveling’ at its most literal!
Diego del Casale flies transatlantic from Buenos Aires to cut the hair of elite Argentine footballers like Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez who seek his services for a "piece of Argentina". Frequent, last-minute travel and logistical challenges are no obstacle for ‘Diego Il Figaro.’
LAST MINUTE PACK JOB
PROS ARE FTs TOO!
Melanie Anzidei‘s 820-mile, 54-hour, $701 journey for NWSL opening weekend.
(NON-)TRAVEL SNACKS
“What do we think of Tottenham?” More importantly, what do Spurs fans think of Tottenham? 🤣
BE LOUD. BE PROUD. AND BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER
A trip to Basque country for an inside look at the world’s friendliest derby rivalry.