Argentines Trade World Cup Stickers in Plazas

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- With less than a month remaining until the FIFA World Cup begins, thousands of people crowded plazas across Argentina on Sunday, trading stickers from the official Panini album in a tradition that has captivated fans for more than half a century.

The gatherings, centered in the heart of Buenos Aires, turned public squares into bustling markets where participants bartered multicolored packets featuring soccer stars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe. Children clutched partially filled albums, carefully pasting new acquisitions, while adults spread duplicates on tables like cards in a high-stakes game. Schools, offices and online platforms have long served as trading hubs, but in South America the social ritual stands out, fueled by WhatsApp groups, apps and dedicated websites.

"This connects you with the world. Everyone does it," said Juan Valora, a fan trading stickers alongside his girlfriend. "And if this was virtual, you wouldn't be face to face looking at the cards and trading them. I think you'd miss out a bit on the human touch."

Panini released its largest collection yet for the expanded tournament, now featuring 48 teams...