SOCCER: "They are sold out." Soccer fans swap World Cup album stickers in Madrid

Hundreds of football fans and collectors gather every Sunday at Madrid’s iconic El Rastro flea market to swap World Cup stickers, turning the historic square into a bustling meeting point for enthusiasts determined to complete their albums.

Collectors sift through piles of duplicate stickers, cross-checking missing players on handwritten lists, printed sheets and mobile apps, as rapid-fire exchanges take place between strangers and regulars alike. For many, the goal is simple: track down the final elusive names to finish their Panini iconic collections.

Some collectors are already celebrating success. One fan said he had finally completed his album after finding the last missing sticker, describing the moment as a source of joy after weeks of searching.

But completing collections has become harder this year, with sticker packs sold out across Madrid.

Fans say shortages in shops have forced them to rely almost entirely on swapping, reshaping the market into a lively trading hub where negotiation and social interaction play as big a role as the stickers themselves.

Beyond the collectibles, many say the weekly gathering is about community. Fans describe the exchanges as a social ritual where people from different backgrounds meet, share a passion for football and relive childhood traditions — all while hunting for the final pieces of their World Cup albums.

-Michael Gore, Miguel Gutierrez/Reuters