World Cup 2026 - the biggest football festival on the planet has kicked off. In addition to television units, journalist Truong Anh Ngoc is one of the few Vietnamese reporters working directly at this year's tournament. How have you prepared for this World Cup journey?
- Speaking of preparation, there are many things to do, not only information, air tickets, hotels or travel plans, but also fitness. I spent months training because this is the first World Cup with 48 teams, organized in 3 countries with a very wide geographical scope.
The workload is also very large when I have to carry out simultaneously writing newspapers, online newspapers and television newspapers. I plan to be present in Mexico for the opening match, then move through about 9-10 cities in the US. Traveling alone is already a very big challenge.
The 2022 World Cup only takes place in Qatar, so travel is much more convenient. As for the 2026 World Cup, just working directly for about 20-25 matches is already a huge amount of work. Therefore, I want to prepare myself best to be able to recount the World Cup from many different perspectives, from football, culture to life around the tournament.
Fans often know him for being associated with the Italian national team. How does Azzurri's continued miss of the World Cup bring you emotions and will it affect your work plan?
- The first time Italy was absent from the World Cup, I was very sad and regretful. By the second time, that feeling decreased. And by the third consecutive time I could not participate, I felt lighter. In fact, if a team is not strong enough, then participating and being eliminated early does not have much meaning. Italy stopped right from the group stage at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. I think this team needs to look back at themselves before thinking about returning to the World Cup stage.
Many people regret that the 2026 World Cup lacks a team with a rich tradition. But for me, going to the World Cup is not for a specific team but for that tournament itself. This is already the 6th World Cup I have participated in working. What interests me is to observe the differences between the tournaments, between the host countries and between different football cultures.
Even, jokingly speaking, Italy not participating in the World Cup also helps me avoid having to go to Canada, because if they participate, I may have to travel a lot more.
Turning back time to the first World Cup you worked directly, is there any memory that you cannot forget?
- That was the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Before the trip, I prepared quite carefully in terms of expertise but did not fully anticipate the impacts from the environment and weather. I flew from Europe, which is summer - to South Africa right in winter. When I got off the plane, the temperature was about -2 degrees Celsius. The next day I almost got feverish because I hadn't adapted in time.
In addition, I once had a very memorable experience when I almost had an armed robbery in a suburb. Luckily, I escaped. It was those experiences that made me realize that to pursue major tournaments, in addition to expertise, you also have to prepare very carefully in terms of physical strength, survival skills and adaptability.
In addition to cameras, computers or professional equipment, what else did you prepare for this trip?
- I always prepare more than everyone thinks. For example, vaseline tubes to prevent blisters on my feet, socks for mountain climbers, energy bars to supplement nutrition during continuous travel. A day at the World Cup may require walking from 20 to 25km. If it lasts more than a month, protecting health is extremely important.
After the 2022 World Cup, I became even more aware of this. We have witnessed some international colleagues having strokes during their work. Therefore, my luggage is not only professional equipment but also things that help protect my health so that I can complete my work and return safely.
Working at the World Cup is the dream of most sports reporters. From a colleague's perspective, I want to ask the question, is journalist Truong Anh Ngoc "losing" or "profiting" when working at the World Cup?
- Definitely profitable. Profit here is not money but experience. We live in an atmosphere that millions of fans want to experience, meet many cultures, many people and access very special stories behind each match.
However, I also realize that the number of Vietnamese reporters going to the World Cup is decreasing. Costs are increasing while the press is under a lot of pressure from the changes of digital media. Press agencies must carefully calculate the effectiveness of each business trip.
With young reporters, I always say that in addition to passion and expertise, you must train two things: Physical strength and survival skills. You cannot work at the World Cup if you do not know how to manage yourself with moving, booking tickets, finding accommodation or adapting to a new environment.
Compared to EURO or Champions League, does the World Cup create any different pressure, sir?
- The World Cup is always the biggest pressure. This is the most watched tournament on the planet, so all journalistic products receive great attention.
The first pressure comes from the managing agency. No matter where you are, how tired you are, you still have to complete articles, images and videos on time. One day can have 4-5 deadlines for submitting products.
The second pressure comes from myself. After each World Cup, I always want to do better than the previous one. Not only report matches but also find other stories, other perspectives to bring to readers.
I always believe that the World Cup does not only take place on the football field. It also exists in the streets, in the lives of local people and in very ordinary stories surrounding the tournament.
Besides traditional journalistic products, what will you bring to social media platforms this year?
- I want to diversify the content even more. In addition to long articles, photos or in-depth reports, I will make more short, fast-up videos that are closer to young people. In more than a month of the 2026 World Cup, I want the audience to accompany me on every journey, from stadiums, train stations, airports to street corners of Mexico and the United States.
In addition to products for press agencies, my personal Facebook and YouTube will also continuously update things that traditional journalism sometimes cannot convey as quickly. I hope everyone will feel the World Cup not only through the match results but also through the stories behind it.
