I’m not easily starstruck. But on my first night in Vancouver , I was rapt to learn that Lionel Messi had stayed in the same hotel just two months before me.

Football’s greatest player, who is expected to feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup , was based at the Hyatt Regency for an away match with Inter Miami.

Vancouver is, of course, one of many locations in North America you can visit to watch the biggest sporting event on the planet, live and in person, in less than 12 months.

But it’s safe to say most Brits will feel more at home here than in the United States or Mexico .

The Canadians have the same sense of humour as us. They have the same King as us.

They even seem to have the same appreciation for Oasis, given their songs seemed to be played whenever my accent is hea

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