World Cup stories often begin long before you step into a stadium or even reach the host city – sometimes, they start right at the departure gate.
As I waited to board my flight to Toronto at Frankfurt International Airport, I noticed an older man, likely in his late 50s, wearing a German national team jersey and a hat adorned with a unique collection of pins from past World Cups and Euros.
Intrigued, I moved closer and asked him, “Are you heading to the World Cup?”
“Yes, this will be my tenth World Cup,” he replied with a smile.
I was stunned. For a moment, I thought he might be exaggerating, but he proudly showed me his iconic jersey, which listed the host countries of every World Cup and European Championship he had attended.
His name is Günter Stiebebig, a Club-Berater from Frankfurt – a specialist representative of a regional football association who supports amateur clubs. His role involves acting as a liaison, helping clubs tackle operational challenges, strengthen volunteer engagement, and modernise their systems.
“It all started in 1990 when West Germany defeated Argentina in the final in Rome,” Günter shared. “Seeing my country win the World Cup was unforgettable. Watching Lothar Matthäus lift the trophy was one of the best days of my life.”
He continued, reminiscing about his journey: “The 1994 World Cup in the USA was incredible. A few friends and I rented a car and drove across the country to watch matches. We visited New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Chicago, and many other cities. We would stay two or three days in each place before moving on. Back then, the entire trip – including match tickets, logistics, food, and beer – cost around 5,000 Deutsche Marks, roughly €2,500 today.”
Times, however, have changed.
“This World Cup is extremely expensive,” Günter noted. “I have a ticket for Germany vs Ivory Coast, and from there, we’ll see. I’ve already spent €5,000, and there is still a long way to go. I just hope Germany performs well this time, because the last two editions were deeply disappointing.”
Looking back at his travels, Günter surprisingly named 2022 as a highlight.
“Of all the World Cups I’ve attended, Qatar 2022 was the best. Match tickets were affordable, accommodation wasn’t expensive, and the food was excellent and cheap. On several days, I managed to watch two matches. There was no beer, but that wasn’t an issue.”
North America, however, presents a different logistical challenge.
“In Toronto, I hear public transport isn’t too expensive, but in New York, you have to pay around 100 US dollars just to get to MetLife Stadium. Even the stadium in Boston is far from the city centre – about 70 kilometres away – and I’m told it costs around 80–90 dollars by train.”
Günter empathises with the frustrations of travelling fans.
“I understand the railway companies’ viewpoint: FIFA earns massive revenues, so why should local transport networks carry fans for free? FIFA should have negotiated a deal to include transport. After all, fans are the heartbeat of the World Cup.”
Examining his custom jersey more closely, I noticed a curious detail: for the 2021 Euros, it listed ‘Munich’ for the final, even though it was held in London. That year, the tournament was staged across multiple European nations.
“I had tickets for the final in London,”
Günter explained, “but the UK government banned travellers from entering the country due to Covid restrictions.”
As we wrapped up, a group of younger fans gathered around him, eager to listen. I stepped aside as Günter began sharing tips and advice on what to expect at the tournament.
Though my German is limited, it was clear he was passing on the kind of wisdom only a lifetime of football travel can offer. Before he was completely surrounded, I managed to grab a quick selfie with him and his iconic jersey.
“Football needs more people like you,” I told him.
For many heading to North America, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be their first. But for Günter, it marks a remarkable milestone – his tenth consecutive tournament. He is, without doubt, one of the most dedicated football fans in the world.
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