European fans face steep costs as anticipation builds for FIFA World Cup

Fifteen days before the biggest FIFA World Cup in history kicks off across Canada, Mexico and the United States, anticipation is mounting even as European fans confront soaring costs that are driving some into risky financial decisions.

Some fans are going as far as dipping into student loans, just to follow their teams.

That's a far cry from the summer of 2006, when Germany hosted what many remember as a "people's World Cup." Back then, following the team felt achievable. Today, even getting to the stadium is becoming a financial stretch.

"So for now, it's pretty far, it's not just around the corner and it's very expensive," said a fan.

Across the United States, Canada and Mexico, preparations are well underway for what FIFA said will be the biggest World Cup in history.

In Atlanta, covered stadium pitches are being carefully maintained under artificial grow lights, while in New York a row between hotels and the unions representing their staff has now been settled ahead of the arrival of throngs of traveling supporters.

Some fans are making the journey to the United States despite missing out on tickets.

"We are flying on July 1 and staying till July 29. We tried to get tickets to the VM. We had six people logged in and none of us got drawn for any of the events in the draws. The prices exceeded what we were willing to pay. It's too expensive," said Richard Cleverndar, a German football fan.

But even those making the trip say prices have gone too far.

For younger supporters such as England fan and football coach Kyle Ashton, attending a modern World Cup has shifted into the realm of luxury, one that some are willing to finance through risky measures.

"A 100 percent. I've got a flatmate up in Scotland. He is a Scotland diehard, goes to all the games and he's finally got his last group game ticket. I think that came to a total of around 1,900 U.S. dollars he's paid for the three tickets. He is dipping into his final student loan (to pay for it)," said Kyle Ashton, an England football fan.

European fans face steep costs as anticipation builds for FIFA World Cup

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday visited the Memorial of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Site of the First National Congress of the CPC, learning about the history of the CPC over more than a century.

At the memorial, Vucic reviewed The Communist Manifesto and was amazed by an old photo of Pudong, which used to be occupied by farmland 36 years ago.

"It began to be built in the early 1990s. Just 36 years ago, there was nothing here. Now, it is the best city in the world," Vucic said.

Vucic then visited the Site of the First National Congress of the CPC, the birthplace of the CPC, and said it had been a long-held wish of his to see it.

"I wanted to see the place where the CPC was born, and it was here in Shanghai. Yesterday, I heard a story about the Red Boat and I wanted to get to know something more about CPC and its history, because I admire Xi Jinping and his leadership, and I believe that not only him, but some other people throughout Chinese history were delivering the very best results for Chinese people under the very, very difficult circumstances," said Vucic.

Asked about the outcome of the visit, Vucic said he was very satisfied and very happy.

"I'm very satisfied. I'm very happy and there to say I am jubilant about the results. First of all, about my meetings and getting the medal of friendship from President Xi. We reached a lot of important consensuses and arrangements and for the sake and for the benefit of both Chinese and Serbian people. And our cooperation will be strengthened and improved, and this is why I came here to prove the ironclad friendship between our two countries," said Vucic.

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Vucic arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a state visit to China from May 24 to 28.

Serbian President Vucic visits birthplace of CPC