3 Argentine Fans Cycle Through 17 Countries to Support National Team in World Cup

(CNA correspondent Huang Yunru, Buenos Aires, 3rd) With less than two weeks until the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, three Argentine fans have cycled for nine and a half months through 17 countries, arriving in Kansas City, USA on the 2nd, just in time for the Argentine national team's first match of the World Cup. This transcontinental cycling odyssey and the fervor of Argentine football fans have made them a subject of media coverage across the Americas.

Leader Miguel Silio, 56, Yamandú Martínez, 49, and Vicente Conculini, 29, departed from their hometown of Gualeguaychú in the Entre Ríos province of Argentina on August 16, 2025. They cycled northward along the Pacific coast, traversing South America, Central America, and North America.

Upon arriving in Kansas City, the trio received a warm welcome from local residents. Leader Silio said their greatest wish is to meet head coach Lionel Scaloni, captain Lionel Messi, and other national team members during the World Cup, and to take a group photo with them.

Over nearly 10 months, the three cycled across the plains of Argentina and Uruguay, the highlands of Bolivia, the mountainous regions of Peru, and the deserts of Mexico, covering a cumulative distance of over 17,000 kilometers. They have been sharing their journey on their Instagram account.

The journey was not without its challenges. The trio faced harsh conditions in the high-altitude regions of Bolivia, Peru, and Colombia, as well as the extreme heat and security risks of Central America. In Ecuador, they encountered a local prison riot. In southern Colombia, they were forced to change their route due to a car bomb incident.

This is Silio's third time attending the World Cup by bicycle. He previously cycled to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and participated in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in a similar fashion. With 25 years of cycling travel experience, he said, "Since the national team didn't call me up to play, I'll cycle to support them."

He stated that completing this journey requires not only a love for football but also strong willpower and physical endurance. For example, in Ecuador and Colombia, they climbed over 1,500 meters within a 30-kilometer stretch, carrying about 60 kilograms of gear on their bikes.

For many Argentines, football is more than just a sport; it is a crucial part of national identity and collective memory. From the World Cup victories in 1978 and 1986 to winning their third trophy in Qatar in 2022, football has been deeply embedded in Argentine society and culture for many years.

Team member Conculini believes the Argentine national team is beloved not only for its outstanding results but also for the unity and trust the players show each other. He said, "The Argentine national team is not just a team; it's more like a group of friends who respect each other and work hard together. We like to gather with family and friends to watch the games, enjoying the happiness that football brings, just like all Argentines." (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150604