The American Dream, Fanatical Mexico, and $20 Beers: FutbalTour Chief on the Reality of the World Cup Overseas

In a compelling interview with hosts Julo and Muťo, he revealed the real-world workings of the tournament in North America, touched on the astronomical prices, and, above all, described the pure football euphoria that is currently uniting nations from all over the world, both inside and outside the stadiums.

For a European fan, heading to a football match in the USA, Mexico, or Canada can be a bit of a culture shock. While the modern, massive arenas may not offer the traditional European football romanticism of old stadiums tucked away in city neighbourhoods, they fully compensate with perfect comfort and non-stop entertainment.

According to Matej Očenáš, fears of security issues or conflicts between fan groups at the tournament have not materialized at all. Fans from different countries are completely mixed in the stands, creating a friendly atmosphere together.

However, the trip to the tournament venue itself is a huge financial burden, compounded by the prices on the ground. A beer for nearly $20 or enormously expensive tickets, from which FIFA profits significantly through official resale, are not deterring the fans.

"A group of three ordinary Scottish lads went to a match, and it cost them fifteen thousand pounds for two weeks. One of them sold his car and got into trouble back home," he said, describing with amazement the dedication of some World Cup attendees.

How football is perceived in Mexico is a chapter all its own. While the tournament gets somewhat lost in the everyday hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan New York, the streets of the Mexican capital breathe football at every turn, with practically everyone, from children to waiters, wearing jerseys. The absolute peak is the spontaneous, wild celebrations after matches, which are unparalleled.

"After the match, a summer storm hit, a really huge downpour. Despite that, eight hundred thousand people went to a city square to celebrate and stayed there until five in the morning. People were making water slides, doing somersaults, and throwing each other in the air," the FutbalTour chief said, summarizing his powerful impressions of the Mexican frenzy.

In the latest episode of the Striedame! show on ŠPORT.sk, Matej Očenáš also answered questions about how smooth the arrival and visa process to the USA actually was, his thoughts on the constant expansion and commercialization of the World Cup, how easily you can run into the biggest football stars on bicycles on the street, why he thinks the final could be a repeat of the last World Cup in Qatar, and who currently has the best chance of taking home the Golden Boot.