As reigning champions Argentina returned to the World Cup stage Tuesday, there was no drive too long and no ticket too pricey for its most fervent fans.Three fans bicycled nearly 11,000 miles (17,700 kilometers) from South America to Kansas City, Missouri without tickets in hand. One group drove 20 hours, living off sandwiches to save money. Daniel Otero, a 73-year-old attending his seventh tournament, is shelling out around $100,000 so he and his two sons can watch the team play over the coming weeks.We are crazy for Argentina, he said. Thats why we spend so much money to see our country, our national team.The obsession was rewarded in Kansas City as the team made opened its World Cup defense, defeating Algeria 3-0. Scoring all three of those goals was the legendary Lionel Messi who, turning 39 next week, could be playing in his last World Cup.Argentina now is like the Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan, said Juan Martin, 43, of Buenos Aires, Argentina, before the match. In his prime, he had fans around the world. Argentina has fans around the world with Messi.Martin plans to spend the next month following the team with his girlfriend, 31-year-old Agostina Gomez Uvia, a quest that he estimates will cost them $20,000 each. Similarly Otero is spending $40,000 on tickets alone. Otero and his son, Franco Otero, 27, marveled that U.S. families also were wearing Argentina jerseys, emblazoned with Messis name. I can't remember an Argentinian team without Messi, Franco Otero said.He changed the game, agreed Manuel Valdes, a 29-year-old engineer from Corrientes, Argentina, who traveled to the match with his father and younger brother. Theres a before and after in football.In the parking lot outside the stadium, 11-year-old Andre Cornuz, of Miami, joined his father as he set up a flag atop a van before the game. In front, members of the band Los Sin Entradas (translation: Those Without Tickets) lined up drums. Passersby stopped to pose for photos in front of the display, which included a giant banner that read, Lio Te Quiero I love you, Lio and a photo of Messi.I have been raised with Messi, said Andre, whose father is from Argentina and who often travels back to visit his family. I am very connected to the land.The band's next stop is Dallas, where Argentina is playing next, and then wherever it takes us, Andre said.Pam Kramer, the chief executive of the Kansas City organizing committee, has marveled over the past week at the lengths that Argentina fans have gone to support the three-time World Cup champions, including the trio that cycled their way to Kansas City in time for the opening match.We had those three Argentine cyclists come here, and they came here without tickets. And the people in Johnson County (Kansas) were like, You know what? Were fans too. Were going to make sure you get to a match, Kramer said, and thats genuine. Nobody is doing it for show. We want people to see what we see, that this place is pretty special.Three hours before kickoff, fans already were lining up to get into the stadium. Jorgelina Skorput, 34, of New York City, waited with her friends as police officers on horseback patrolled the crowd. They drove two days to get here, munching on sandwiches and staying at an Airbnb an hour out of town because it was cheaper. All told, she figures the trip cost her $2,000, including the $800 game ticket.I felt like this is the only time, the only opportunity Im going to get to see the World Cup, said Skorput, who was born in Rosario, Argentina, and moved to the U.S. when she was 9. Were the last champions.___AP Sports Writer David Skretta contributed to this report. ___AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

England fans could be thrown out of stadiums if they fly patriotic St George's Crosses or chant against Sir Keir Starmer.With just hours to go until the Three Lions kick off in Dallas, supporters have already been barred from honouring England's war dead in the stands.Several fans whose flags bear images of British servicemen have not been given permission to display them under Fifa's "political" flag rules.Anyone wanting to bring a flag larger than two by 1.5 metres needs written permission before arriving at the stadium.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayThey are also asked to submit pictures of their flag as part of their application.But several were told that because the silhouette of the soldier was holding a rifle, they would fall foul of Fifa rules.The FA has further said it is "aware" of an England flag bearing the message: "Keir Starmer is a n**ce."This would also be barred from the stadium.Alongside the flags, supporters have been scolded for chanting negatively about the Prime Minister.Again, they risk being thrown out of grounds for making their voices heard.Travelling fans were already heard singing "Keir Starmer's a w****r" during England's second pre-tournament friendly in Florida.And some told GB News how they felt about the ban."It's free speech until it's against what they want to hear in it," one Plymouth Argyle fan told Britain's News Channel in Dallas."If it was about the opposition then they'd be allowing it!"ENGLAND FLAG FURY - READ MORE:Patriots urged to fly St George's Cross with pride and ignore woke councilsKilljoy councils ban England flags during World Cup for 'community cohesion'Thousands of Britons banned from hanging flags from their balconies just hours before World Cup startsFifa's stadium code of conduct specifically warns fans not to use "offensive language or gestures".Mexico's FA is thought to have already been fined more than $1million after fans chanted of a homophobic slur.But Wycombe supporter Dan, 23, told The People's Channel from Texas: "I'll sing what I want. I'd like to see them try and stop us."The FA is said to have been in talks with Fifa to try and find a solution ahead of England's opener.They have so far been told that fans can bring their flags to the stadium - but must be ready for stewards to tell them they cannot bring them in.That's despite the fact that many travelling supporters have paid hundreds of pounds for the specially-commissioned flags.Images of poppies on flags are allowed.An FA spokesman said: "We have advised our fans that Fifa can prevent flags with sensitive or political content entering the stadiums."Our team are on hand at the ground to help review flags if needed to avoid any problems occurring."Last night, the Prime Minister issued a rallying cry to England ahead of their Group L opener against Croatia."Tomorrow, we can dare to dream again because we have a brilliant Three Lions squad, packed with all the talent and experience to get that second star on the shirt," he said."Like every England fan, Ill be roaring on Thomas Tuchel, Harry Kane and the entire England squad. Come on England."Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

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