5 Thrifty Things: World Cup Gear Under $25

If you're a true sports fan, there's nothing worse than jumping on the bandwagon before a big sporting event and actually looking like you just jumped on the bandwagon. Never fear, World Cup fans: the Gumshoes have gathered up a guide to the 5 Thrifty Things that will make the Dad in your life look like he actually knows his shit when it comes to soccer, er, football.

At less than $25 each, these gifts will garner mad, instant street cred and nods of approval from footballers everywhere when the games begin in South Africa this Friday, June 11th. GOAL! A-GOAL-A-GOAL-A-GOAL-LA!!!

1. Complete World Cup Schedule in Google Calendar (FREE)
Some saintly soccer fan (or marketing team) sat down and entered the entire World Cup schedule into a public Google Calendar, free to view online or import into your Outlook calendar at work — though it's set to London/GMT, so make sure to convert the times if you're in the US. And try to keep the cheering and cursing down when watching live coverage from your cubicle, mmm k?

2. Havaianas Limited Edition 2010 World Cup Flip-Flops
($24, Havaianas.com)
These Brazilian imports were all the rage a few years ago, and have made a huge comeback on the streets recently as soccer fans everywhere sport their team gear and show their national pride. Perfect for the beach or the bar!

3. Landycakes T-Shirt ($19, Who Are Ya Designs)
The US is finally coming around to professional soccer, and (love him or hate him) we've adopted Landon Donovan, a.k.a. "Landycakes", as our official World Cup ambassador from America. These tongue-in-cheek T-shirt designs from Who Are Ya are perfect for the humble young dad looking to show a sense of humor while learning the language of soccer hooligans.

4. USA vs Mexico Voodoo Doll T-Shirt ($18, Objectivo)
An inside joke for true soccer fans, this T-shirt is a fire-starting, risque take on the heated rivalry between the US and Mexico, most recently stoked by the creation a U.S. soccer player voodoo doll by the Mexican team before a pre-World-Cup "friendly" (non-tournament) game. (Mexico lost that game to the US, 2-0 — hence this awesomely unlicensed shirt.) Just don't think about wearing this or any other USA soccer gear inside Aztec stadium or you'll get showered in beer, something we're sure Red Sox and Yankees fans alike can appreciate.

5. adidas FIFA World Cup 2010 "Jabulani" Soccer Ball
($15, World Soccer Shop)
Jabulani means "to celebrate" in Zulu, one of the 11 languages of South Africa, and the design of this souvenir adidas soccer ball has 11 colors to honor those 11 languages, in addition to the 11 communities of South Africa and and the 11 players on a team. This is also adidas' 11th FIFA World Cup ball, and, in numerology, the number 11th is considered very lucky. Whose dad couldn't use a little more superstition when it comes to sports?

Story and Photo Copyright 2010 Shoestring, LLC.