The Global World Cup

Jul 24, 2010 12:59:54 AM

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Featured post: Spain’s big win — as seen from a tiny Spanish village.

Fans around the world are in a football frenzy. The 2010 FIFA World Cup is here, and millions of eyes are tuned in to the action from South Africa.

Although not all of us can head on down to watch the matches in person, this shouldn’t stop the traveller within. The World Cup is a truly international event, experienced fervently and distinctly in all soccer-crazy countries (and even some relatively indifferent ones).

One of our favourite bloggers, Louise Heal, had a fantastic idea: why not pull together our extensive traveller community to showcase a truly Global World Cup? With our global band of bloggers, we could highlight the best of the World Cup around the world – including how various cultures celebrate the World Cup, what the best places to watch your favourite team might be in your hometown, and what traditions supporters of different teams indulge in.

So here it is. It’s the perfect opportunity for soccer fanatics and apathetics alike to unite in the love of different cultures. Hope you enjoy it.

Check back often as we’ll be featuring regular updates from our blogging community as they cover the World Cup globally.

The posts

(The most recent posts are on top.)

It’s over for The Netherlands… but they still know how to party, even when they lose, writes Jeff Funnekotter.
The Dutch make the Grand Final for the first time since 1978. Good time to be in the capital!
Jeff Funnekotter is in prime position as he watches the Dutch beat Brazil in Amsterdam.
Denise of Travels with Den Den explains how even little Malta gets involved.
When it comes to the World Cup fever, Catalonia is definitely not Spain. Orange Polka Dot explains.
Brazil, meanwhile, was speechless after their loss.
Charlie of Kampala Days describes how Ugandans have adopted Ghana (and share in the heartbreak).
With South Korea now out of contention, one blogger wishes it was World Cup all the time!
Why watching the World Cup in Turkey is a cosmopolitan experience.
Watch Brazil vs Portugal - in the Copacabana, of course!
Kate McVaugh returns to explain how watching the USA lose to Ghana was actually all right.
Grab a beer with the Dutch fans and watch their team go up against Brazil.
Onward and upward! Brazil is moving forward, cries Topics of the World.
Big City Blog takes a World Cup tour through the pleins of Amsterdam.
Did Buenos Aires go crazy when Argentina beat South Korea? You betcha!
How patriotic are South Koreans? TeachTravelPlay can tell you a thing or two about their fervour.
Topics of the World breaks down the intricacies of World Cup ad wars in Brazil.
Louise pays an all-singing, all-dancing tribute to the tradition of English football songs.
What can pirated jerseys tell us about World Cup politics? Todd’s Wanderings, in Kosovo, gives us the scoop.
Big City Blog has a second report from Amsterdam, providing a blow-by-blow account of the Netherlands v Denmark game (beer prices included!).
A Lady in London takes on a tough challenge: finding London’s best spot to watch the Cup.
What country loves soccer the most? Sophie’s World makes a case for a country that isn’t even fielding a World Cup team: Norway.
Our very own Robert Reid talks about celebrating the World Cup opener in New York City.
Glenn of Vagabond Couple is lucky enough to watch the action from Buenos Aires, Argentina. And Topics of the World is there too, with a review of what it was like to experience Argentina’s first win.
Wondering if there’s any World Cup action in California at all? Turns out there is! Kate McVaugh explains the differences between the global jubilee and the more low-key celebrations in Berkeley.
How does a country without a team in the tourney ‘win’ the World Cup? George of Ginger Beirut has the answer.
First-Time Traveler asks if the Philippines are ready to go crazy with World Cup fever.
Topics of the World comes back with another on-the-ground post from Brazil.
Velvet Escape’s blog has a nifty list of 10 Tips to Enjoy the World Cup (if you’re going to be in South Africa).
Emily from Teach Travel Play describes how South Korea is clad in red to support their Red Devils (great pictures).
Louise, whose idea this was in the first place, provides insight into how England fans are preparing for the experience.
Joe of Hello, Pineapple? provides a most excellent breakdown of how to experience the frenzy of the Cup in Istanbul.
Carla of Topics of the World tells what it’s like to catch World Cup fever in Brazil (click through to the original post for some great videos).
Abigail King tells the story of Rob Forbes, an English football fan who has run, swum and cycled his way from England to South Africa for charity.
Jeff of Big City Blog describes what it’s like to go orange and support the action from the Netherlands.
We kick off with US travel editor Robert Reid’s list of the Top Spots to Watch the World Cup in the USA.