Philly 13 Weeks of Adventure: Week 1 - FIFA Club World Cup
FIFA's first men's tournament on American soil in over 31 years.
Welcome to Love + Travel, a weekly chronicling of adventure for people who explore new landscapes within themselves and the world.
Philadelphia is called many things: the City of Brotherly Love, Filthadelphia1, or simply Philly. And over the years, it’s cemented itself in my personal history. It's been a backdrop, a witness, and at times, a main character in the story of my life.
The first spark of my wanderlust was lit here during a high school track meet.
It’s the city where my grandparents bought their first home after arriving in this country.
The same one I returned to after marrying my husband four summers ago.
And as an art lover, the street art and murals turn the city itself into an open-air museum.
I owe Philadelphia a thank you for giving me so much. It only feels right to give this city its flowers, one week at a time.
For the first time ever, the United States is playing host to the FIFA Club World Cup.
As a “Type A” personality, I fully understand this move.
All host cities, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Seattle, and eight others, are set to be venues in the 2026 World Cup, making this a logistical test run before the big dance next year.
While Mexico and Canada will also serve as North American co-hosts with three and two stadiums, respectfully, it makes sense to dry run where the bulk of all matches will be held.
For Americans, this is a rare opportunity: a World Cup–style club competition on home turf. 32 teams will compete across eight groups of four, leading into knockout rounds that bring together the best clubs from Africa, Asia, and the Americas—alongside European and South American giants. That means standout names like Lionel Messi with Inter Miami and Dušan Vlahović with Juventus could be coming to a stadium near you.
Philadelphia will host eight of those matches, with Kylian Mbappe(!) and Real Madrid closing out the group stage at Lincoln Financial Field on June 26th.
I visited on the second day of competition for the Manchester City vs. Wydad AC match.
This was my second time watching a live game in just as many years. The last being in Boston to cheer on the Revolution at Gillette Stadium.
The largest difference this time around was it being summer and hot as hell.
Otherwise, I have no complaints.
Parking was not only nearby to the stadium but, free.
The crowd was more of a family environment than American football games which sometimes has a “drink to get drunk” culture.
And though Wydad lost, their fans were the real win. Their cheering section was absolutely devoted to the cause. They stood the entire time, chanted, sang, and let off flares going into the final 15 minutes of regulation.
10/10 would recommend as a must-do if you or someone you love is a football loyalist. Although, you might want to consider a night game if sitting in direct sunlight isn’t your idea of a good time.
LET ME KNOW
- Do you enjoy live sporting events?
- Are we outside this summer or is it quiet?
- Do you prefer daytime or night games?
- Is it football or soccer?
Don’t come for me. You know why the name has stuck.