A devoted supporter of the England men’s national football team, Andy Milne, has revealed plans to sell his house to finance his trip to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The 62-year-old fan, who gained attention during the FIFA World Cup 2022 after a viral image showed him celebrating with a replica trophy, said he is determined to follow England again regardless of the cost.
Milne, a retired teacher based in Thailand, has already attended nine World Cups and is targeting his tenth appearance at the 2026 tournament. To fund the trip, he has listed his second property in Cheshire for sale after nearly three decades of ownership.
He plans to spend about seven weeks in North America, attending matches from the group stage through to the final. Known for his cost-saving approach, Milne said he intends to rely on friends and informal accommodation arrangements to manage expenses.
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His decision comes amid growing concern over the rising cost of attending major football tournaments. Supporters’ groups, including Football Supporters Europe, have criticised ticket pricing, noting that costs can run into thousands of pounds depending on match access and seating categories.
However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the pricing model, citing strong global demand while pointing to the availability of limited lower-cost ticket options.
With travel, accommodation, and ticket prices continuing to rise, Milne’s plan reflects both the deep passion of football supporters and the increasing financial hurdles associated with following the world’s biggest sporting event.
