Argentine trio biking nearly 10K miles to 2026 World Cup makes Fort Worth stop

After thousands of miles on the road, the cyclists say the journey has become about more than soccer.

Three longtime friends from Argentina are making the journey of a lifetime — biking across continents on their way to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.

Vicente Conculini, Miguel Silio and Shamandu Martinez have traveled roughly 10,000 miles through 17 countries so far. The trio arrived in Fort Worth earlier today for a quick stop during their nearly yearlong trip.

Fueled by their love for Argentina and soccer, the friends have documented their adventure on social media, where they’ve gained tens of thousands of followers.

The group recently entered Texas from Mexico and spent the weekend in Fort Worth, where they marked the occasion by buying new cowboy hats.

Traveling light, the cyclists carry Argentina flags and small brightly colored bags strapped to their bikes. Along the way, they’ve faced difficult weather conditions, and some parts of the trip have required traveling by train and even horseback.

The friends said many people initially thought they were crazy for attempting the journey. Now, they are often stopped by curious strangers asking about their travels.

The trio traded their day jobs for the adventure, relying on the kindness of strangers throughout the trip.

Miguel said the group has met many charming people along the way, leaving their hearts full and proving the experience has become about much more than biking.

As they spoke with NBC 5, the friends shared mate, a traditional South American herbal-infused caffeinated drink often passed among friends to cultivate connection.

They said sharing mate with people they meet has helped them open their hearts and minds to different cultures throughout the journey.

The cyclists are now making their way toward what they call Team Argentina’s home base ahead of the World Cup.

One member of the group is married with children. The trio said his wife has visited him four times during the journey, and his family plans to attend World Cup matches in the United States as well.

The friends said they also plan to return to North Texas when Argentina plays in the region.

“This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.”