Globetrotter Steve Kaffen’s latest book is a love-letter to the World Cup. I review it in full at Peace Corps Worldwide ahead of tomorrow’s opening match in Mexico City.
Travel, Football, & Serendipity
Kaffen writes from authority, having attended seven such gatherings. His first occurred during Mexico’s 1986 earthquake recovery, followed by the USA’s 1994 global football debut, then on to France, South Africa, Brazil, Russia—where he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer from 1994-96—and Qatar.
Kaffen’s book captures the atmosphere of the matches, then takes readers beyond the stadiums and host cities to reveal the mad, reckless joy of travel adjacent to the planet’s largest sporting quadrennial.
It’s an homage to one man’s hearty lifetime of solo trips, combining both courage and serendipity, an account of extraordinary luck that carries the author past bizarre hurdles to complete far-reaching journeys and arrive in the nick of time to witness historic events.
In short, Living the World Cup: Stories, Insights, and 60 Tips for 2026, is both a global travelogue and an insider’s guide to this year’s Canada, Mexico, and U.S.-hosted World Cup—a historic three-country first.
Currently available on Kindle for zero dollars! Check out the full review at Peace Corps Worldwide.
Kaffen’s blended text-and-photography look at World Cup history provides a gateway to what awaits, including sixty tips for participating in ticketed events, enjoying Fan Festivals in communal locations, and participating in relevant side-tourism. Among his extensive 150+ photo gallery is my favorite: a snap of Bud Zero, zero-alcohol beers served during matches in Qatar.
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Ben East Books 
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