Letting The World Cup Decide My Plans

Not to make my plans, but at least twice I have traveled to the country that ended up winning the men's world cup that same year - Italy (2006) and Spain (2010). My friends asked me to stay home after that :)

But if I were indecisive about where to go next, that might very well be a good way to pick a destination other than tossing ideas into a jar and picking one.

Switch it up and let the winners of the Womens' World Cup help you decide.

Switch it up and let the winners of the Womens' World Cup help you
decide.

I totally agree with Ms. Jo, but just know that might very well mean you stay home!

An interesting idea. A Haitian vacation is off the table, but Iran, Iraq or DR Congo are still theoretically possible…

I totally agree with Ms. Jo, but just know that might very well mean you stay home!

And...that's 2027, so will work for NEXT year's planning. Sure, most likely a US women's team is winning, but not guaranteed as 2023 showed.

I'm happy using both.

Let's hope Brazil wins so you can visit a new place (it's a fabulous country!). I've been to all on this list.

I hadn't seen this post before I started a new one today. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/beyond-europe/2026-world-cup-countries-what-s-on-your-list

@joy - your thread is just as fun and slightly different. I agree that there are lots of neat countries to explore when looking at the teams in this World Cup. I think using the winning team might be just one good idea for a future trip, and being reminded of the many other neat options out there (as seen in your post in Beyond Europe) makes me happy as it means I've got plenty of good options for travel for years to come.

It's nice to have something like the WC to offer an inclusive and entertaining option for folks around the world to enjoy.

Well, any other country still playing that could be added to your winner wish list?

The list is narrowing, but I'm still excited about a couple of outside contenders - Egypt and Colombia! Egypt has been on my "wishlist" for a long while but not made the cut. And, with a sister-in-law having family in Colombia, a visit there might be much more "local" than many of our visits to places we don't have any friends/family to show us the "real" local scene.

Regardless, no bad options on the list of potential winners.

I'd like to see Colombia or Morocco play on the final. Though not a new place for me to visit.

For the sake of the OP, I've cleared out a side topic.

Still so many teams left... you might be heading to Norway. :)

While I've been to Norway, their WC play is highlighting that I wouldn't mind a re-visit.

And France still seems the front-runner, and I never have a problem returning there.

The OP can certainly strike the USA off their list of possible destinations! It was a well deserved victory for Belgium last night for sure!

Given that England are still in the competition, Tom or visitors playing along might like to catch some amateur football at my local pitches on a Sunday. There's some great play from local pub teams. They may well welcome visitors from the US as a guest side if you can get eleven worthy players together :)

I was so hopeful for Egypt when I last checked score in the second half. This World Cup has had some incredible games! But also a few ones with unfair referees...
I tried to catch some of the games today in between meetings. People at my office may have thought I had a tummy ache with my several and long trips to the bathroom. 😂
Surprised to see Colombia leave as well.

France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, Argentina, England, and Switzerland remain, and it is still a fun set of options for future travel.

Looking at my scheduled travel, France, Morocco, and Spain are already "booked" for us next year (and all repeats with new places within those countries). Belgium remains the only one on the list we haven't spent time in, and also remains high on my future list.

I'm a bit disappointed I've lost Japan, Brazil, and a few others from my options, but, of course, those will just be left on my "normal" future travel list and gotten to when I can.

Good job you're already going to Spain Tom. France were really poor. Spain absolutely walked it to everyone's surprise.

England or Argentina? I'd like to see England win I suppose. I'm not really an England fan but I'm probably less of an Argentina fan when it comes down to it. I hope FIFA keep it fair.

I agree with GerryM and Argentina is my least favorite on the remaining teams. Unfortunately, FIFA seems to have already decided on Argentina/Messi from the first WC game. It is so bluntly unfair it is hard to watch.

I'm happy to Spain honestly. But cheering for England, the underdog here.

I'm happy with all the finalists. I do think Argentina would be my choice vs England, but honestly, I'm happy with both options to visit. From a "World Cup" perspective, I'm pulling for Argentina vs Spain in the final and a Spanish win. But, with all the fun of this year's WC, I think I've been the biggest winner.

Of course, I luckily have the TdF for the week after the WC final to at least sell me on another longer trip to France.

A side note on FIFA and favoritism (or not), consider leading into this WC, the top four teams were these four finalists. It's not like any of them have punched above their weights, but rather, they are meeting expectations. Argentina, Spain, France, and then England.

I'm watching the game at home, but the pub just out on the main road near me had a queue around the block to get in just now. There must be literally hundreds of Lime rental bikes parked at the end of my street. Biggest England game for years.

I'd love to see Jude Bellingham put three past Argentina for a win. That would show 'em.

Oh, well.

Cape Verde held Spain to 0 - 0 and took Argentina to extra time where they lost because of an own goal.
Maybe they are the true ‘winners’ of the tournament?

Anyway Come On Spain! Wipe the floor with them!

Hope both teams show up. Yesterday, England went about 20 minutes in the critical stages of the game where they completed just two passes, both involving the goalkeeper. Embarrassing performance. Goal Post was their player of the game.

@emma ... If Cape Verde had wanted my tourism dollars, they should have tried harder! :-)

Definitely liked the various underdog teams that showed up, played well, entertained the masses, and did their countries proud. I can see a visit to Cape Verde at some point, but following my own rules, they don't get chosen this time using my WC winners method.

It's looking like Spain will be your destination Tom. England deserved to lose but I'm not convinced Argentina deserved to win. I'm sure FIFA will do a full and thorough investigation into Argentina's antics post-final whistle and come down hard on such behaviour...

On a positive note if England win on Saturday they will be third which is further than they have come in the last 60 years, so that’s something! And by saying this I’ve obviously jinxed it.