YOUR PASSPORT TO THE GLOBAL GAME | April 2026 | Vol. 14
In this month’s issue:
⏱️ The Footy Travelers World Cup Countdown app hits less than 50 days
🅿️ Good news // Bad news: World Cup tailgating and train updates
🎟️ The last club on earth to sell paper-only match tickets?
➕ …and more!
Whether you’re feeling like the World Cup is creeping up slowly or barreling at us like a(n overpriced) freight train, April brought footy travelers a ton to talk about this past month (starting with this “it could happen in real life” April Fools joke). On the frustrating, not-surprised side of things, April began with FIFA’s last-minute sales phase debacle and their controversial release of ‘Front’ Category 1 tickets and ‘updated’ seating maps. Then there were things like SoFi Stadium workers threatening strike action, NJ Transit charging over $100 for a return trip to MetLife, and organizers in Boston jacking up train prices there. A 36-page Amnesty International report on human rights risks at the tournament can’t make some people feel too great. And, oh. Apparently hackers could disrupt the World Cup too!
But there was also a lot of good news this month, and plenty of reasons to get excited for what’s coming our way. Despite its proposed train prices, Boston might redeem itself by allowing tailgating, following Philly’s lead, who themselves are offering free trains from World Cup matches at ‘The Linc.’ Miami is offering game-day shuttles for match ticket holders, NYC is offering five free viewing events, and Toronto will offer ‘mostly free’ admission to its Fan Fest following public backlash over initial paid entry.
Despite these pro-fan wins though, ticket prices and travel costs remain discouraging. Which means… it’s official! After a few matches in host cities close to home, friends, and family, The Footy Travelers are chasing the World Cup spirit across Europe!
Call it lame, weak, contrarian, a boycott—whatever! We’re calling it fun! Because at some point it’s ok to say “enough is enough,” and that it is enough to experience the World Cup in a completely different (even new) way.
We’ll be starting in London with the Three Lions final group match against Panama. From there, it’s wherever the knockout bracket takes us. Netherlands? Scotland? France? Portugal? Spain? It’s all on the table! We’ll be sharing the experience across our channels, including here in your inbox, so stay dialed in for insights on the best spots in Europe to watch big matches, great footy travel tips for out-of-grounds activities, and a front row seat to the energy of the World Cup spirit in the places it lives loudest year after year.
Happy reading!
— Colin & Mike
P.S. We’re working with several tourism boards to create a great itinerary, and are looking for some content partners to join us. If you or someone you know has a brand that wants to reach a footy and travel-loving audience during the biggest footy event known to mankind… put us in touch! 🤝
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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.
FROM OUR PARTNERS
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.
If you missed our last summer tour (Copa America + EURO 2024), here’s a taste of what’s coming this summer (and what we’re organizing for future group trips!).
WORLD CUP WATCH
Some WC26 host cities like New York and Philadelphia are working to relax liquor laws and help fans enjoy the tournament without breaking the current rules.
Don’t take our word for it: Not only does it look like fewer Europeans are traveling to the World Cup than anticipated, evidenced by weak airline bookings and disappointing hotel reservations, U.S. government data shows no significant surge in World Cup travel applications.
Fewer international visitors may be good news for domestic FFTs. Hotel prices have dropped 40% from December peaks.
Unfortunately, for FIFA and their pricing structure those domestic fans are still balking at the cost of the USA opener vs Paraguay in LA. The game is struggling to sell tickets.
A recent shooting at Mexico's Teotihuacan pyramids killed a Canadian tourist, prompting President Sheinbaum to boost security at tourist destinations nationwide.
A Trump administration envoy proposed Italy replace Iran at the tournament. Perhaps he took our little April Fools joke too seriously. Both Italy and Iran have rejected the idea, with an Italian sports minister calling it “not appropriate.”
Iran’s envoy may need replacements nonetheless. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that anybody with links to the IRGC will be banned from entering the US.
They say money talks. How much? Well… A few World Cup final tickets were listed for more than $2m each. And FIFA added $112m to the overall prize pot, as they say, “given the commercial success” of the upcoming WC—definitely not because of their failure so far to secure a US tax exemption deal (they are an eligible entity) that would disproportionately burden smaller competing nations.
AFRICA (CAF)
Senegalese football fans label US World Cup visa restrictions a "disgrace."
Africa Cup of Nations 2027 dates and hosts confirmed.
ASIA (AFC)
Women's Asia Cup finalists accuse governing body over equal prize money.
An exiled Afghan women's refugee team has been granted eligibility for international competitions.
EUROPE (UEFA)
An England superfan is selling his second home to fund his 2026 World Cup trip.
UEFA has committed to affordable pricing for Euro 2028 tickets. Any guess how much they’ll cost?
Man completes a 54-year quest to visit 2,000 non-league grounds. FFT of the millennium?
Planning a trip to Rayo Vallecano? Keep in mind their commitment to old-school paper tickets and refusal to sell any online.
NORTH AMERICA (CONCACAF)
You may have a hard time believing which country is said to have the world's best kits in all of football.
And America’s best soccer bar is… this one!
The Vancouver Whitecaps are desperate to find local investment to prevent a relocation to Las Vegas or Phoenix.
US cities are withdrawing from hosting the 2031 Women's World Cup due to FIFA's restrictive requirements.
"The worst agreement I've ever seen." Why Montreal didn’t want the World Cup.
Inter Miami's Nu Stadium begins new era for MLS, with NYCFC (2027) and Chicago Fire FC (2028) to follow.
Ooof! Costa Rica's 21-0 victory over Cayman Islands in Concacaf World Cup qualifiers.
OCEANIA (OFC)
The second phase of the OFC Pro League opens doors… and increases jeopardy.
New Zealand beats Papua New Guinea 1-0 to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Across the Pacific, OFC member associations are using the power of footy to educate communities about natural disasters.
SOUTH AMERICA (CONMEBOL)
CONMEBOL became the first federation to back Infantino for re-election.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is supporting the establishment of a single, unified football league, with the aim to finalize statutes by 2026.
The SAF Law could be changing the meaning of success in Brazilian football, if it’s coupled with long-term vision & strategic discipline.
LAST MINUTE PACK JOB
PROS ARE FTs TOO!
Turkish lower league side Hakkari Zapspor gives new (literal) meaning to ‘footy’ traveling.
Hosting matches 1,000 miles from home, intra-European journeys lasting nearly 24 hours, Shakhtar Donetsk’s Conference League journey has been a marathon.
TRAVEL SNACKS
An amazing World Cup Fact for linguists and language fans.
Can you pass this quiz: Largest nations never to reach a World Cup?
BE LOUD. BE PROUD. AND BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER
This is the exact opposite of what we hope for and encourage among footy fans: German police are investigating "dangerous bodily harm" after on-pitch clashes between Dynamo Dresden and Hertha Berlin fans.