YOUR PASSPORT TO THE GLOBAL GAME | July 2026 | Vol. 16
In this month’s issue:
🏆 A look at WC26 from 8 different countries
🌎 Quench your thirst for more footy here in N. America
✈️ Your next chance for international footy travel
➕ …and more!
Let's make one thing clear right away: World Cup 2026 was incredible! Cabo Verde trading blows with Argentina, a ten-goal Third Place Final that had no business being that fun, and breakout stars like Vozinha and Spence alongside standard yet thrilling Mbappé, Haaland, and Messi performances. There was plenty of controversy in the lead up and along the way, which at times, may have given it all just a slight tinge of an ‘empty’ feeling—this is a FIFA production after all. But, WC26 once again proved that not even FIFA’s clown-show-antics can dim what happens both on the pitch, and among the hoards of fans that come together to celebrate their shared humanity and love of the game. The game, and our collective love of it, is always bigger than the circus around it.
Except now, even that characteristic is coming up against its biggest threat yet, as FIFA is planning to sell stakes in events like the World Cup and Club World Cup to private investors. And we all know where investors’ biggest interests lie. That said, The Footy Travelers aren’t necessarily worried about the direction organizers are taking the tournament, not because we’re investors about to get rich, but because we recognize the rich opportunity to double down and invest in the very thing that makes the World Cup so incredible.
We spent the latter half of WC26 “Chasing the World Cup Spirit” through Europe and Western Africa, and you know what we found? The excitement and passion for the World Cup isn’t limited to the stadiums or host cities. Putting yourself in countries playing in the World Cup is just as much “doing the World Cup” as racking up credit card debt to get yourself a seat in the stands. Except that it’s a fraction of the cost and the metro rides or walks to your hotel after the game aren't as packed and sweaty.
You can get a taste of what experiencing the World Cup this way looks like below. You can also read the full details on each stop we made, including total cost, and why we think Chasing the World Cup Spirit is a more affordable, more human, and simply put, better way to experience the world's greatest tournament—especially in light of this new FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) news.
In this edition, we’re also covering:
Why the stereotype that "German hospitality doesn't exist" didn't survive our few days in Köln,
the latest Footy Travelers Podcast episode, which offers a compelling idea for quenching your post-World Cup soccer thirst here in the U.S.,
but also how to keep the World Cup 2026 fever going by dialing into the world’s top club leagues,
and… your next chances to hit the road with us!
Let's get into it!
— Colin & Mike
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.
CHASING THE WORLD CUP SPIRIT
If you missed what it looks like to skip out on the host country and STILL experience the spirit and magic of the World Cup with fans from around the world, you can read all about it here. Or, take an actual look at it all below (click on any stop to watch the highlights).
It wasn’t all matches abroad for us, though. It wouldn’t be a full World Cup experience without at least a few matches attended in-person and cheering on the USMNT.
KÖLSCH CULTURE
Read why our experience of kölsch culture and proving the stereotype against German hospitality wrong was an early highlight during our time in Europe for the World Cup 2026 knockout phase.
WORLD CUP WATCH (cont.)
Honestly, we weren’t expecting to carry on with this section until WWC27 got closer, but then Infantino FIFA’ed. As you surely have heard by now, the world’s governing body is looking to become the world’s biggest stakeholder in a private company (FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE)) that will run its main events. If this is somehow the first your hearing of it, read up on some better reporting below:
The Athletic (NY Times)
UPCOMING FFT TRIPS: MEXICO CITY 2026 & WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2027
If you haven’t been on our Mexico City trip during Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) yet, or you’re still lamenting missing out on Mexico City during the World Cup, we have good news. Life is full of second chances. We’re heading back at the end of October! We’re also making plans for a return to Brasil, this time for the Women’s World Cup 2027. Register your interest for these and other trips on footytravelers.com.
EURO 2028
Don’t feel like waiting until 2030 for the next chance to bounce around Europe during a major international men’s tournament? Join us and our friends at Race2Adventrue on their EURO 2028 trip through the UK. Use code ‘FFT200’ when registering for $200 (USD) off.
THE FOOTY TRAVELERS PODCAST
Wondering how to keep your World Cup footy traveling momentum going now that the tournament is over, but can’t make it abroad soon enough? The latest episode of FTP has a clever solution for you…
We’ll be back with proper footy travel-related updates from all 6 corners of the globe next month. In the meantime, as the World Cup hangover breathes its last breath, here’s a status check on some of the most popular men’s leagues in each region of the world.
AFRICA (CAF)
Egyptian Premier League (🇪🇬): ‘26/’27 season kicks off August 20 or 21 (opening match teams TBD by draw on August 5)
Defending Champs: Zamalek SC
Botola Pro (🇲🇦): ‘26/’27 season kicks off in October
Defending Champs: MAS Fes
Premier Soccer League (🇿🇦): ‘26/’27 season kicks off August 1 (3 opening matches)
Defending Champs: Orlando Pirates
ASIA (AFC)
J1 League (🇯🇵): ‘26/’27 season kicks off Friday, August 7 (Yokohama F.Marinos v Kashima Antlers)
Defending Champs: Vissel Kobe
A-League (🇦🇺): ‘26/’27 season kicks off Friday, October 16 (Sydney FC v Western Sydney)
Defending Champs: Auckland FC
Saudi Pro League (🇸🇦): ‘26/’27 season kicks off Thursday, August 13 (Abha v Al Hazem)
Defending Champs: Al-Nassr
EUROPE (UEFA)
Premier League (🏴): ‘26/’27 season kicks off Friday, August 21 (Arsenal v Coventry City)
Defending Champs: Arsenal
LaLiga (🇪🇸): ‘26/’27 season kicks off Saturday, August 15 (Deportivo Alaves v Getafe)
Defending Champs: Barcelona
Bundesliga (🇩🇪): ‘26/’27 season kicks off Friday, August 28 (Bayern Munich v VfB Stuttgart)
Defending Champs: Bayern Munich
NORTH AMERICA (CONCACAF)
Canadian Premier League (🇨🇦): 2026 season currently active (through 15 of 28 rounds)
Defending Champs: Atlético Ottawa
MLS (🇺🇸): 2026 season currently active (through 18 of 34 rounds)
Defending Champs: Inter Miami CF
Liga MX (🇲🇽): ‘26/’27 Apertura tournament currently active (through 3 of 17 rounds)
Defending Champs: Cruz Azul (‘25/’26 Clausura champs)
OCEANIA (OFC)
OFC Pro League (Int’ntl): 2026 season concluded May 23, 2026. 2027 season start date TBD.
SOUTH AMERICA (CONMEBOL)
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (🇧🇷): 2026 season currently active (through 21 of 38 rounds)
Defending Champs: Flamengo
Liga Profesional de Fútbol (🇦🇷): 2026 Clausura tournament currently active (through 2 of 16 rounds)
Defending Champs: Belgrano (de Córdoba)
Primera A (🇨🇴): 2026 Clausura tournament currently active (through 2 of 19 rounds)
Defending Champs: Junior FC