{"id":84501,"date":"2026-07-06T13:44:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T20:44:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/?p=84501"},"modified":"2026-07-06T13:44:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T20:44:14","slug":"global-football-destinations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/travel-inspiration\/global-football-destinations\/","title":{"rendered":"From Pitch to Port: Explore the World Behind the Soccer Tournament"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\">When the World Unites Through Football<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW235735415 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW235735415 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"No Spacing\">Every four years, the world turns its attention to a remarkable global football tournament. Nations, traditions, and legends converge on the pitch in a shared celebration of pride, passion, and possibility. Few things bring people together quite like global football, creating connections that span countries, cultures, and generations.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-2 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\">From the Screen to the Streets<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><p>What if that connection could become something more personal?\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/cruise-destinations\/grand-voyages-world\/2027-grand-world-voyage?xid=EXTHBG20260706CZVRZI0NNK\">Holland America\u2019s\u00a02027 Grand World Voyage<\/a>\u00a0offers an opportunity to move beyond viewing and into true\u00a0connection.\u00a0\u00a0This is not about schedules or stadiums. It is\u00a0about gaining\u00a0a greater appreciation for the traditions and perspectives that define each country.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\">Legends of the Game<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><p>In storied football nations such as Spain, Portugal, France, England, and the Netherlands, heritage and identity are woven into daily life. In Barcelona, afternoons unfold over thoughtfully prepared tapas and authentic paella. Along the French Riviera, mornings begin with refined pastries, followed by evenings savoring classic dishes like coq au vin. These places are celebrated not only for their legacy in the tournament, but for their lasting influence on art, cuisine, and way of life.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background internalBanner nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-right:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:30px;--awb-padding-left:30px;--awb-background-color:#dce3eb;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-margin-top:0px;--awb-margin-right:0px;--awb-margin-bottom:0px;--awb-margin-left:0px;\"><p>Explore the world with us! Take a look at our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/cruise-destinations\/grand-voyages?xid=EXTHBG20260706A2HOK7S1IQ\">Grand World itineraries<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-4 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\">Discover the Unexpected Stories Behind the Tournament<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5\"><p>Beyond the familiar lies a compelling sense of discovery. Cape Verde, a small archipelagic country off Africa\u2019s western coast, offers a relaxed rhythm shaped by island traditions such as musical storytelling. Senegal invites exploration through its dynamic creative spirit and warm hospitality. Morocco immerses visitors in color, craftsmanship, and centuries-old customs, while South Africa reveals remarkable wildlife, stunning natural landscapes, and world-renowned wines.<\/p>\n<p>These places surprise and enrich, offering fresh perspective and adding depth to the journey.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-5 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\">Go Beyond the Checklist<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/cruise-destinations\/grand-voyages?xid=EXTHBG20260706IRSYNHE7ZD\">Holland America\u2019s Grand World Voyage<\/a> is designed for thoughtful exploration rather than fleeting moments. With extended stays and multiple calls throughout regions such as Australia, guests are invited to linger, connect, and engage more fully with each locale. The result is a journey that feels both unhurried and rewarding.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-6 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\">Follow the Tournament by Experiencing the World<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7\"><p>You have watched the tournament unfold. Now, discover where its stories begin. To truly appreciate its spirit is to experience the flavors, traditions, and people that bring it to life, one remarkable destination at a time.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:0px;\"><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Access Exclusive Deals &amp; More<\/h3>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-1 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/sign-up?xid=EXTHBG20260706VJ36VHI4D8 \"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">Sign Up for Special Offers<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1993,"featured_media":84502,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[4413,4196,4243,4392],"class_list":["post-84501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-inspiration","tag-cruise-itineraries","tag-experiences","tag-grand-voyages","tag-travel-inspiration"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1993"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=84501"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84501\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":84505,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84501\/revisions\/84505"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/84502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=84501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=84501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=84501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}