As the FIFA World Cup approaches its kickoff in Arlington, Texas, local soccer fans are diving into one of the tournament’s most cherished traditions: collecting Panini stickers. This beloved pastime has taken root in North Texas, where enthusiasts gathered at a Panini pop-up event in The Colony to secure their sticker albums and packs.

Fans, including Park Elias and Joseph Smith, waited in line for over an hour to get their hands on these collectible items. Elias expressed the excitement of the chase, saying, “It gives you something to chase. It’s super fun to do.” Smith, who initially came for camping supplies, couldn’t resist joining the line to obtain the album.

The Panini sticker album, a staple since 1970, features players from all 48 countries participating in the World Cup. Former Mexico captain Pavel Pardo, who visited the pop-up event, reminisced about his own childhood experiences with the stickers and the honor of eventually being featured in the collection himself.

Trading stickers is a key part of the experience, as collectors aim to complete their albums before the tournament begins. Jackie Smith noted that the stickers help fans keep track of players and learn more about them, while Elias mentioned the joy of finding a favorite player in the packs.

The FIFA World Cup is set to begin in Arlington in just 20 days, with an opening match between the Netherlands and Japan. As excitement builds, North Texas fans are embracing this unique tradition that brings together generations of soccer enthusiasts.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.