Bears, Trump coffins, and FIFA conspiracies: My bizarre World Cup odyssey

The New Zealand All Whites' disappointing World Cup exit opened a door to a surreal journey filled with unexpected encounters, from Canadian bear sightings to bizarre Trump coffins and FIFA conspiracy theories. The author reflects on how these strange detours provided a strange yet insightful perspective on the nature of global sports fandom and the often-bizarre undercurrents of international tournaments. The narrative underscores the unpredictable ways in which sports can intertwine with the most peculiar aspects of popular culture and geopolitics.