Insane costs and ‘luck in many ways’. What it’s really like to attend the World Cup

When Croatia qualified for this year’s World Cup, nothing could have kept them away. Luckily, their fan status scored them tickets for just $60, allowing them to plan a mammoth 35-day trip through Mexico, the US and Canada with tickets to each Croatia match, plus the opening game in Mexico City. The group was so keen to see the opener live at the legendary Estadio Azteca that they booked flights to Mexico City last year, even before they knew where Croatia would play. They booked their other flights five to six months in advance to get the best prices and have endeavored to keep both meal and hotel costs low.