Ep 48 | Serendipitous & Diplomatic Footy Travel in South America and the Country FKA Swaziland

If you haven't realized it yet, soccer (aka 'actual football') is a great way to connect with people from countries and cultures around the world. And especially for us Americans, it can serve as a diplomatic avenue to show an appreciation for others' cultures. Today's episode discusses that very idea, but also what it's like to simply stumble upon opportunities, almost serendipitously, to add some footy into your pre-existing travel plans. We hope you enjoy this one, as our guest, Keving Godlberg, recalls two such instances, both of them involving World Cup Qualifiers - one in 2004 in Argentina, the other in 2008 in Eswatini (FKA Swaziland).

Recommended reading:

Kevin mentions two great books on our book shelves that every footy fan should read - How Soccer Explains the World, by Franklin Foer and Soccer Against the Enemy, by Simon Kuper.

* EPISODE 50 is on its way... and you could be on it! *

We want to celebrate this major milestone by featuring your footy travel questions on the episode. Whatever your question is, record it on a voice memo app, try to keep it to 30 seconds or less, and email it to . Tell us your name, where you're from, and we'll select the best, most-well composed ones to answer right here, on Episode 50 of Footy Travelers Podcast.

Foot(y)notes:

• Our favorite footy for good organization, the Craig Willinger Fund, is looking for its next set of honorees! If you are (or know) a young person fighting a critical illness, visit their website to apply to be an honoree today.
• The Footy Travelers Fan Shop is NOW OPEN! Grab our latest jersey release or a brilliantly designed supporter scarf.
• Here's a good write-up on the World Cup 2030 announcement, and another on why all roads lead to Saudi Arabia 2034.
• Euro 2024 tickets are available in the initial application phase until October 26, 2023 (2pm CET). More tickets available after draw on December 2, 2023.
• Keep your eyes on the CONMEBOL website and channels for news on Copa America 2024.
• Check out our friends at Race2Adventure (R2A) and their upcoming trips to Morocco and Scotland.

Episode Outline

01:42 | Footy travel news review

14:52 | Fantasy Premier League comiserating

18:31 | Why was Kevin in Argentina and Eswatini (FKA Swaziland) in the first place?

22:22 | The beautiful practice of integrating the beautiful game into pre-existing travel

25:06 | Argentina 2004

33:51 | Swaziland 2008 begins...

34:35 | ...but first, a fantastic opportunity to support a great (footy) cause

36:24 | The Swaziland vs Togo experience (DJ set included)

46:30 | Xavi saves Kevin at the Madrid airport

48:00 | Footy as a diplomatic tool for culture exchange

55:37 | Using soccer to establish street cred

58:12 | Kevin makes Dutch news