The Footy Travelers Podcast

We say that the best part of footy traveling is meeting and connecting with fellow footy travelers from all over the world, and when we connect with a like-minded FFT who's out there doing the damn thing in their own unique way, you know we're gonna get them on the pod! Today's guest is just that kind of footy traveler. In this 2-part episode, Colin & Mike got together (physically, not biblically)...

So many acronyms in the episode title! In this BONUS episode, Colin caught up with fellow footy traveler Ryan Shirah, a major player in US Soccer supporters culture, at the American Outlaws Night Before Party (NB4), ahead of the CONCACAF Nations League Semifinals. Apart from serving as one of the heartbeats/drumbeats of the supporters section, and looking footy-supporter-costume-chic in his Ulysse...

Maybe you were lucky enough to get to World Cup 2022. In which case, you were most likely lucky enough to get a flight to Doha from wherever you live. But some Footy Travelers are just more adventurous than most of us, and they don't rely on luck - they make life happen! Our guest in this episode, Francisco 'Topo' Ramone shares the story of his adventure journeying to World Cup 2022 by motorbiking...

If you've never heard of the Dutch Oranje Bus, or if you love combining your footy fandom with an amazing party - boy are you in for a treat! In today's episode Colin sits down with Henk van Beek, a founding member of the association that started the Dutch Oranje Bus, the ultimate fan experience of the KNVB (we think). Colin and Henk discuss the bus's experiences in Europe, what it takes to ship t...

CALLING ALL FELLOW FOOTY TRAVELERS!!! We're going to the Euros, and we want you to join us! That's right. The Footy Travelers are teaming up with Race2Adventure in the hopes of securing a second boat for their Euro 2024 trip between June 17 - June 25, 2024. Highlights include: cruising the Rhine through 4 stunningly beautiful countries (Switzerland, France, Germany, & Netherlands) during the group...

"All the footy ladies! All the footy ladies!" Oh, sorry. You caught us jamming out there. What can we say? We're excited for the upcoming Women's World Cup - and everything it brings with it: The USWNT going for a 3-peat. A trip down under. The final continent traveled to together. And… THIS WC NTK EPISODE! Listen in for a breakdown of all things Women's World Cup tickets and travel considerations...

Featured-guest episodes are back in full swing with not one, but two incredible footy travelers this week. Mark "Eagleman" Cranston & Lila "Wonder Woman" Asnani sit down with Colin & Mike to discuss their latest footy travels, what it's like to be soccer super heroes, and plenty of US Soccer history. Rapid fire questions also make a return, and Stu Holden pops up yet again in conversation. Get rea...

It's one thing to bring you all in-depth interactions with fellow footy travelers from World Cup 2022, but why not put a nice bow on it?! In the second part of our final FTP at WC22 episode, Colin & Mike offer up their final thoughts, grades, and a few awards to the fans and organizers of this latest edition of 'FIFA bulldozing their way to billions in revenue.' 01:28 - How the 'awards' work 02:04...

Hooraaaaaay!!! We did it! The Footy Travelers connected and chatted with at least one fellow soccer fan from every country playing at World Cup 2022 - and this episode is the final proof. In this edition of FTP at WC22, we chat with an expat family from Portugal living in the Middle East, a couple of trael buddies from Ghana who feel some type of way about Luis Suarez, the entire Uruguayan FIFA Fa...

They said you wouldn't be able to drink at World Cup 2022. Ed Ball's response:  "Challenge accepted!" Not only did this intrepid footy traveler defy the odds by downing plenty of deliciously fermented suds during his trip to Qatar, he created a tool so that others could easily find the places to do the same. Yes! Ed Ball is the 'Qatar Alcohol Map Guy'! In this episode, Colin & Mike sit down with E...

The march through World Cup 2022 footy traveler groups reaches its penultimate episode. This week, Mike & Colin look back at their time in Doha with fellow traveling soccer fans from Brasil, Switzerland, Serbia, & Cameroon. Were the caipirinhas or the Brasilian confidence stronger? Do we finally know what it takes to emigrate to the beautiful land of the Suisse? What's on tap outside of footy for...

We did it! We made it to the 1-year mark!!! Thanks to everyone who helped make this first year possible: our listeners, our guests, our fellow footy travelers all over the world. You all are an incredible group, and we can't wait to meet more of you in our travels over this next year and in years to come.  In this episode we also continue our look back at our World Cup 2022 experience through inte...

What was it like traveling to Qatar just to watch the World Cup 2022 Final? To journey halfway around the world to see your favorite player, the GOAT - the greatest of all time - win the sports world's most coveted trophy for the country that bestowed your heritage upon you? How much would you pay to witness what some have called the greatest sporting event ever played? Shirley C (IG: @betweenthen...

What a wild World Cup group this was! Over the course of two hours during the last set of group matches, there were nine changes to the final table, and all four teams — Germany, Japan, Spain, and Costa Rica — occupied one of the two qualification spots at one point. After the final whistles blew, despite winning their match against Costa Rica, 4-time World Cup champions Germany were out. Despite...

This episode is brought to you by the letter 'D'. You know, as in 'Drama.' Boy has there been some in the USMNT camp! 'D' is also the World Cup group whose fans we chat with here. Dive into Mike & Colin's Dialogue with fellow footy travelers from the Destinations of France, Australia, Denmark, & Tunisia. It'll be Delightful! Group D Foot(y)notes: Since we'll tease you at the beginning, here's a ru...

The holidays have wound down, but the Footy Travelers World Cup 2022 series rages on! Up next are our moments with Fellow Footy Travelers from Group C nations: World Cup Champions Argentina, Dos a Cero runners-up Mexico, the White Eagles of Poland, and the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia. Foot(y)notes: Every Argentina goal on their way to World Cup 2022 glory ARG v KSA highlights MEX v POL highlight...

Sadly, World Cup soccer is on pause until mid-2023 (who's going Down Unda'?!). The good news is, club football is back, and so are our BONUS episodes! In this one, we bring you an exciting (if you're a Chelsea FC fan), US-based footy travel experience to tide you over: BLUESDAY! From February 3-5, 2023, Carefree Louisiana, one of the largest Chelsea supporters groups in the US, will be hosting the...

The 2022 FIFA World Cup has just concluded with what was inarguably not only the best World Cup Final ever, not only the best soccer game - EVER!, but the greatest sports game the world has ever witnessed! Is there even any need to continue the Messi v Ronaldo GOAT debate?  Regardless, the Footy Travelers Podcast "World Cup 2022" series DOES continue, with Group B fellow footy travelers (FFTs) fro...

World Cup 2022's Round of 16 has just finished, leaving 8 teams to battle it out for the most prestigious prize in international sports. But our 'FTP at WC22' series has only just begun, bringing you 1 episode from each of the tournament's 8 initial groups. Follow along as Colin & Mike talk with fellow footy travelers from all 32 participating countries (and maybe a few others), learn something ne...

The Footy Travelers are at World Cup 2022! And so is Morgan Freeman. In the first episode of the 'FTP at WC22' series, Colin & Mike spill the full details on the opportunity to attend the opening ceremony and match - inclusive of flights and accomodation - on the tournament organizers' dime. Along the way, the media picked up on the tournament's 'Fan Delegation' program and labeled participants as...

WORLD CUP 2022 IS DAYS AWAY!!! Get hyped, and get ready with American Outlaw and US Soccer diehard, Ray Noriega. Colin & Mike discuss Ray's recent travels to Europe to see the USMNT in their pre-World Cup friendlies, the best and the worst of his past travels (he's been to every World Cup qualifier since 2005!), and get Ray's insights on what to expect from this and the next two upcoming World Cup...

Rob & Ryan who?! No. The best bromance in global footy is between FTP co-hosts Colin & Mike. At last, their separate footy traveler origin stories combine, as they recall the pivotal moments that led to the birth of the original Footy Travelers duo. Listen in for the story of Mike's big proposal to Colin in 2008 (one he needed time to warm up to), of their first World Cup experience at South Afric...

Quick episode this week to tie up some loose ends folks have been asking about when it comes to traveling to Qatar for World Cup 2022. Wondering if COVID is still a thing? Hint: it IS! Foot(y)notes: Qatar's Ministry of Public Health "Travel and Return Policy": https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy/Pages/default.aspx The official "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 COVID-19 Protocol":  htt...

This episode is H-U-G-E... HUGE! You can read all the articles and write-ups you want, but the Footy Travelers are bringing you lived experience in Qatar, in the form of expat Seth Osborne, to answer all your questions about food, culture, tips to stay cool in the desert, and of course, everyone's #1 need-to-know - how to find alcohol in Qatar. Country-specific travel tips abound in this one for t...

Back in August, Colin & Mike traveled to the "house that McConaughey built" - the beautiful Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. They also explored the footy pubs of the Texas capital city, as well as some recommended 'hot spots' to help them cool down from the Texas heat. Listen in to hear their insights on one of America's most quickly growing cities. You'll also get some great footy travel advice from...