Europe's 55 football nations in one season
“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
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
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
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
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
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
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
55 Football Nations went Alpine. A minor classic simmered at Admira until Sturm eased to victory. St. Gallen won their fifth consecutive league match against Grasshoppers. And Vaduz outplayed Schaffhausen in the Swiss second flight. Travel highlights include the magnificent Hohensalzburg … Continued
55 Football Nations had just one day in the Czech Republic where Dukla camera police didn’t want evidence of the home team’s 3-1 defeat to Vysočina Jihlava. MŠK Žilina and Spartak Trnava were more welcoming for Slovakian league and cup matches. … Continued
55 Football Nations saw Sevilla outclassed at home to Atlético and doughty in Málaga. The famous Portuguese camera ban restricted efforts at Porto and Vitória. Moody clouds, players and fans were captured at second division Varzim. Travel highlights include the wonderful Mezquita in Córdoba … Continued