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Adam El Manawy is gearing up for his fourth World Cup this summer, and after his bold expedition in 2022, his plans for this year’s tournament are even more ambitious.

His car, affectionately named “The Beast,” is a 1982 BMW 3 Series coupe that has seen better days. Once plagued with engine issues and worn-out paint, it looked destined for retirement. But in 2022, El Manawy restored it, making it run smoother and sound stronger. It became the perfect symbol for his imperfect yet inspiring journeys.

El Manawy is one of Belgium’s most passionate football supporters. An actor, director, and filmmaker who has worked with 80s and 90s action icon Jean-Claude Van Damme, he sees himself first and foremost as a true servant of the game. In 2022, he famously drove from Brussels to Qatar to support his beloved Red Devils at the World Cup.

This year, he’s taking it to another level: a cross-country drive across the United States. “The Beast” has already crossed the Atlantic and is currently awaiting customs clearance in Baltimore. Once released, it will roar back to life, freshly repainted and fine-tuned, as El Manawy begins his next adventure.

“I just want to travel differently, and that’s why I choose to do it during the World Cup. The World Cup brings a kind of magic to the journey and allows you to see the world in a new way,” El Manawy told GOAL.

A one-way ticket to America

Like before, the motivation remains the same — travel for the love of football. He’s not the only one chasing such dreams; a group of Argentina fans recently made headlines for cycling from Buenos Aires to Kansas City.

El Manawy’s journey, however, is unique. He has booked a one-way flight to the U.S. with just enough money for fuel and essentials. He hasn’t reserved any hotels or campsites. His only fixed possessions are tickets to two of Belgium’s group matches — and every knockout round beyond that, assuming the Red Devils progress.

He plans to leave Baltimore this week and reach Seattle by June 15 for Belgium’s opening game against Egypt. Six days later, he will be in Los Angeles for their second fixture against Iran, with the rest of his itinerary depending on Belgium’s results.

‘I just love the game’

El Manawy has been playing football for as long as he can remember. Like many others, he realised in his teenage years that a professional career wasn’t in the cards. “I'm a big football fan. I started playing when I was four. I’m not very good, to be honest, but I just love the game,” he said.

He eventually pursued a career in entertainment, working across different countries, including the U.S. and Belgium, and even coaching children occasionally. In 2014, a friend suggested he attend the World Cup in Brazil — and that’s when his obsession truly began. He was already a die-hard Belgium supporter, and after experiencing Brazil 2014, he was hooked. Russia 2018 followed naturally.

He recalls 24-hour train rides between matches, painting his face in Belgium’s colours, leading chants from the stands, and embracing every moment. “It was a great, great experience,” he said.

‘Everywhere we go, people are nice’

Qatar 2022 was a different challenge. El Manawy decided to make the journey by car from Brussels without carrying money for fuel or booking hotels. The route stretched more than 4,000 miles, and he avoided highways to focus on meaningful interactions with ordinary people.

“It’s all about connection, meeting people. On my way to Qatar, I didn’t want to just promote the World Cup. That wasn’t my main goal,” he explained.

The trip came with risks. Travelling through parts of the Middle East meant passing through regions affected by conflict, but El Manawy accepted these as calculated risks. “Even when I went through countries like Iraq, I knew it was a risk, but a measured one. I don’t take foolish risks. Everywhere we go, people are nice. People are people at the end of the day,” he said.

He often stayed with local families or in modest lodgings that most tourists would avoid. Unfortunately, he missed two group matches because of delays, and by the time he reached Doha, Belgium had already been eliminated. “That was bad,” he joked. “It was just a terrible World Cup for us.”

‘I can promote football’

This time, El Manawy is determined to make the most of it. “The Beast” is still awaiting customs clearance in Baltimore, but once ready, he’ll drive nearly 3,000 miles to Seattle. Like before, he has no fixed accommodation or return flight, but he carries the same adventurous spirit.

Now, football itself feels like a stronger mission. In Europe and the Middle East, the sport is a way of life. But in the U.S., El Manawy recognises it’s not the top sport. “I want to see how it is in the U.S. I know football isn’t the main sport, and that will be part of my story — to promote it, to create games and interactions with people who may not yet understand the sport,” he said.

‘I’m gonna walk into a diner wearing my Belgium jersey’

El Manawy envisions himself walking into an American diner wearing his Belgium jersey and carrying a football, ready to start conversations. “I’ll go into diners with my Belgium jersey and football, and I’ll try to organise small spontaneous games with random people wherever I stop. That’s my main goal,” he said.

He knows that some parts of the U.S. are sparsely populated and not traditional football hubs, but that excites him even more. “I’ll be driving through the northern states, places like Montana, where there aren’t many host cities — that will be interesting,” he said.

He’s placing his faith in the kindness of strangers, something he’s always experienced on his travels. He plans to document his journey across America, just as he did during his Qatar adventure, creating videos of his experiences along the way.

As for financing the trip, El Manawy remains unfazed. If needed, he can rely on support from friends and family in the U.S. “It’s all about simplicity,” he said.

This time, he hopes Belgium will perform better. The Red Devils are undergoing a generational shift, with a mix of young talent and experienced veterans. They might not be favourites anymore, but they could play with renewed freedom. Drawn alongside Egypt, Tunisia, and New Zealand, Belgium should have a strong chance to advance.

Beyond that, anything is possible — even a potential clash with the U.S. in the Round of 16. Turning up to that game in full Belgium colours might be a bold move, but El Manawy trusts goodwill and shared love for the game will prevail. At heart, he’s just a man with a car, a few tickets, and a dream — chasing football’s greatest adventure.

“It’s all about simplicity in the end,” he said.