Ticket to Riyadh
I was in trouble deep in the Saudi desert. I was running late for my bus from Al Ula to Madinah. Missing it would mean a thirteen hour wait for the next one. I opened the door of the nearest … Continued
Animal magic
It had been forty years and two civil wars since Ivory Coast had last hosted the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). It was instantly clear how much it meant to the country. Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport, snappily named after Ivory Coast’s post-independence … Continued
Ivory hosts
Ivory Coast was my third AFCON. Logistically, it was the most difficult. Not a single hotel outside commercial hub Abidjan was listed on booking sites. I used my dubious French, and used up my patience, to eventually secure reservations and found … Continued
In bed with Maradona
“Maradona or Messi?” was a question I was frequently asked in Argentina. It was hard to answer, but Buenos Aires was undeniably the greatest city I had yet to visit. And Argentina was something of an incongruous name on my list … Continued
Peso of life
Viva Mexico! I watched top-flight matches at two 2026 World Cup stadiums: the Akron in Guadalajara and the legendary Azteca in Mexico City. And experienced the heady commerce of the Mexican game – delicious snacks, free beer and a Pearl … Continued
Portraits of Europe United
A flashback to the 55. Apart from watching the game, the only other thing I had to do was ask someone to take a photograph of me at every stadium. The backdrops varied whilst some 55FN photographers struggled with my … Continued
Pharaoh play
Only a few hundred Western football fans travelled to Egypt for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Matt Walker was one of them, watching all 24 teams compete in 15 matches over 9 days for the princely sum of £66. … Continued
Bosnia-Herzegovina & Montenegro – football & travel photos
55 Football Nations was completed in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. Three crucial matches saw relegation candidates Čelik try everything but only draw against Borac, Sarajevo break down Široki Brijeg’s blanket defence and, in the final match, Mladost outplay Kom in the searing Podgorica sun. Travel highlights … Continued
Slovenia, Hungary & Croatia – football & travel photos
55 Football Nations saw matches at Maribor, Krško and Domžale in Slovenia, Puskás Akadémia in Hungary and Lokomotiva Zagreb and Istra 1961 in Croatia. There was a surprise seven goal thriller, four narrow wins, a score draw, a club shop haircut and Cat Zoo Corn. … Continued
San Marino & Luxembourg – football & travel photos
55 Football Nations started his microstate mini-break with nine goals in San Marino as Virtus thrashed Murata 8-1. Incredibly, another nine goals followed in Luxembourg when Fola beat US 9-0 in the little Esch derby. The Lux top two served up … Continued