From international tournaments to beach kickabouts, here’s where to best immerse yourself in the beautiful game
It’s shaping up to be an incredible summer of soccer this year, with Europe’s best national sides competing for a whole month in Germany, from mid-June. At the same time, the Copa América is hosted by the U.S.A., with teams like Panama, Jamaica and Mexico facing off against the giants of South America. And after that, of course, the world’s best players will be vying to bring back the gold medals from Paris.
Quite the lineup indeed, but—for true fans of soccer—attending a big-ticket tournament is only one part of the attraction. There’s also a whole range of other “footie” experiences to build a trip around, sure to deepen your love for the game and knowledge of its history. Best of all, you’re not tied down by any game schedule—you can pick and choose when to take them on and tick them off.
If you want the behind-the-scenes story of two great teams in one go, then the tour of the San Siro in Milan, Italy, will certainly deliver. You can walk the tunnel and tread one of soccer’s most storied pitches—though you may need to provide your own crowd roar.
Or, want to see where the young Maradona first shared his genius with the world? Then take the official tour of Alberto José Armando Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Better known as La Bombonera (meaning “the chocolate box”), it is smack in the heart of the city and surrounded by an area filled with the most passionate fans.
The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City was the first arena to hold two World Cup finals, and it’s also where the “Mexican wave” was invented. Tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays. But it’s not just steeped in history—this is a living, breathing venue, so look out for match tickets too. On your way to watching a game, be sure to experience the passion on display in the local Santa Úrsula area—where you’ll find excellent fresh street food and beer among the banners and songs and murals.
The FIFA Museum in Zurich, Switzerland, is a fitting shrine to the beautiful game, containing more than a century’s worth of shirts, silverware, and assorted football heritage, from Pele’s shoes to the Jules Rimet trophy (the original hardware awarded in World Cups before 1974). Set over three floors, it includes an illustrated timeline of the game along the walls, as well as areas dedicated to the future of E-sports and an interactive “pinball” zone where you get to show off your own soccer talents.
In soccer, “samba football” refers to Brazil’s seductive, rhythmic style, emphasizing fluid creativity over mere blustering effort. To show your own moves, head to Copacabana Beach and join in with Rio de Janeiro’s best amateurs. There are usually plenty of casual pick-up games to join in with on the golden sands, and you can even try your luck at futevolei, which is essentially volleyball using your feet. Even if you don’t prove to be quite as skillful as the local maestros, ask yourself: Where else can you go surfing at half time?
A cultural guide to Rio de Janeiro
After spending decades as an underfunded, poorly supported grassroots game, women’s soccer is experiencing an absolute boom. Top-flight matches are now a regular occurrence across the United States and mainland Europe, but for a truly unique experience, head to one of the world’s ultimate footballing cities—Liverpool. To see the LFC Women’s team (FA Women’s Championship winners in 2022) at their best, head to the city when they take on local rivals in a derby fixture. Tickets must be purchased online, ahead of match day.
As well as being the world’s favorite sport, soccer nowadays is box office. It’s show business. And nowhere more so than in the U.S. generally, and Miami specifically, where a star-studded, globally recognized soccer culture has built up and boomed in recent years. With most of the scene focused around Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, your visit there can conveniently include a trip to some of the country’s best beaches and shopping.
A cultural guide to Fort Lauderdale
Michael Smith has been a journalist for titles including the Financial Times, GQ, Esquire and FHM, as well as presenting numerous travel series on British television which included him exploring the Amazon in Brazil, swimming with sharks in South Africa, and skydiving in Australia.
