World Cup 2026

Secaucus, June 25

Matchday. It sounds and it feels fantastic…An unfolding rhythm, grand emotions galore, another story will enfold that will deliver pictures, memories, impressions, lasting feelings….matchday!

Yesterday has been the first day that was not light and joyful, but misery and suffering. I nearly forgot that these experiences are possible on a bike tour. It was supposed to be an easy, sun filled 350 km ride from Boston to New Jersey, and that it was, for the first 250 km, and then things derailed. Entering New York – and, yes, that’s pretty impressive on a bike – and heading towards the ruin that is the George Washington Bridge things collapsed like in a domino stone game. Road work as part of Bidens Grand Recovery Plan combined with 2 accidents made traffic crash, on an epic scale. 6 lane traffic, standing, hours, 29 degrees heat, no way out. Gigantic fume clouds from oversized US truck monsters, Michael Douglas road rage coming to mind. The last 30 kilometers took us 4 and a half hours. Halfway I struggled with solid dehydration, and fainting on the bridge became an option. We managed to escape to a rest stop, recovered for an hour, and managed to arrive at our hotel near the Met Life stadium, 9 hours after we left.
Next to the hotel a well known Mexican restaurant, and I had the privilege of celebrating their 3:0 victory against the Czech Republic, their hopes of finally hopefully going all the way, their moment in the sun. After a painful day the World Cup extravaganza made up for it with the best it can offer.

The day started with a glorious breakfast, a bike ride through New Jersey, and in one hour the last group game against Ecuador. The stadium will be in Latino hands, I heard, and I am happy Ecuador will go all in to win, their only chance to reach the Ko stage. A real test.