World Cup fans in B.C. build community through collecting soccer stickers

A group ofsoccer sticker collectors eagerly building out their albums this yearsay they hope theactivity spreads before the next World Cup.

The Panini brand of collectiblestickers are part ofa World Cup tradition around the world a phenomenon catching on locally after Team Canadaqualifiedfor the first time in a generation.

Collectors try to fill out an album, featuring stickers of every player in the tournament, every four years.

There are 670 stickers to collect, not counting duplicates, which can cost up to $1,200 to achieve, with prices going up everyWorld Cup.

That's why swapping duplicates and trading for rarer pieces has become part of the hobby for collectors and a great way to meet new people.

Just askLina Villamil, who saysshe has met dozens of people from the Latin American community after joining a local Facebook group for Panini collectors four years ago, during the 2018 World Cup.

"It's funny because you start, like, messaging people that you don't even know," the Vancouver residentsaid.

"You start building relationships with them and like trying to help each other as well to finish the album."

She's one of more than 850 members of the Facebook group. Coming from Colombia where collecting stickers during every tournament is a ritual Villamil saysshe wanted to pass the tradition to her children, who grew up in the U.S. and Canada.

"I think it's like you try to give them the best that you can of your heritage, of the food, of the little things that you grew up with," she said.

WATCH | The craze for soccer sticker collecting:

B.C. World Cup fans on the lookout for coveted collector stickers

2 years ago

Duration 2:33

British Columbians are finding unique ways to celebrate their favourite soccer teams and players. Some fans are carrying on a treasured tradition by hunting down coveted Panini stickers.

Villamil's daughter, Gabi,says she's been able to connect with people in university oversoccer sticker collecting.

"It kinda keeps you in the loop with them, the players, and how everything works in the soccer world," she told CBC News.

"It's really fun to communicate with everyone to see who they have left and how many stickers they have left."

Intergenerational love for Panini

Luiz Chimanovich has been collecting soccer stickers for over 30 years.

The 44-year-oldfrom Brazilsays swapping stickers is a "frenzy" across South America during tournaments like the World Cup and Copa America.

"In 2010, I was working in a factory in Brazil," he said. "Both white collar [and] blue collar [workers], sat together at lunch to swap cards, to talk about the World Cup.

"It's a very democratic thing."

Chimanovich was seven when Canada made the World Cup in 1986. Now, 36 years later, Canada has qualified for a second time and his son is seven years old.

"It's a souvenir from the past. It's a time capsule," he said.

The hobby has led Chimanovich to meet a Richmond neighbour,Mark Acosta,who first started collecting in 2018 with his son, Jadon.

Jadonwas gifted an album of stickers by his grandfather.

"After school on Thursday, we would go to Shoppers with my grandpa to buy lots of packs cause it's seniors day," he said.

"It's quite satisfying you have that proud joy of completing something."

Acosta adds that the activity is alsoeducational, getting his son curious about other players and countries.

Rapid growth of community

Brazilian expat Renan Pradostarted the Facebook group that Villamil is part of in 2014.

He says the group has seen a huge uptick nearly 500 more members after Canada qualified for the World Cup this year.

"There's definitely lots of people Canadians that are joining the group," he said.

"But I also think there are more people coming from these countries, that are used to collecting, coming to Canada."

Prado says the group has fostered numerous connections with people he's still in touch with, and that it also has members from Victoria and Kelowna.

He sayshe hopes the hobby expands furtherduring the 2026 World Cup, which will include games in Vancouver.

"I can only imagine how it's going to be in the next one when the games are actually hosted here," he said.

"I think it will be a very special thing."