World Cup 26: Entry Not Guaranteed. | FOOTNOTES Ep01

The FIFA World Cup likes to present itself as a celebration for football fans everywhere. But as the 2026 tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico approaches, the question for many supporters isn’t Do I want to go? It’s Can I?In this episode, I use World Cup 2026 as a starting point to look at who has actually been able to travel to World Cups over time, who hasn’t. From Uruguay 1930 to Brazil 1950, Mexico 1970, the rise of mass European travel, the securitisation of supporters in the late 20th century, and more recent tournaments in Russia and Qatar, this is a story of access, movement, and exclusion.Along the way, I look at oceans, borders, passports, visas, money, politics and logistics, and whether the idea of the “travelling supporter” has ever been as open or universal as we like to remember. Not as a defence of this World Cup, but as a way of questioning the nostalgia we attach to past ones.This isn’t a verdict or an expert lecture. I'm trying to figure stuff out and want you to be a part of the conversation. If you’ve been to a World Cup, if you’ve tried and failed to go, or if you’ve already ruled out 2026, let me know in the comments.