World Cup Connections

Cities across the nation hosted the 2026 FIFA World Cup and I witnessed something special happen in the United States.

Specifically in this time of our current administration and honestly the past few decades of a divided America, the World Cup is not only celebrating other countries and cultures but we are experiencing our own culture that we thought we lacked. We banded together in communities that did not care for political affiliation, race or gender. It was just about our country.

The tournament also happened during the 4th of July and (even though the United States was eliminated by that point) it really highlighted freedom and the people’s democracy.

I attended the three Mexico games at the Fox Theater in Pomona and was electrified by the spirit and passion those fans had—it was like no other. Even as ‘guerita’, Mexico fans were accepting of the blonde girl in the room.

Beyond the videos circulating online of tourists enjoying In-N-Out and Walmart, other online discourse expressed that we are not too busy to grab a drink with our friends on the weekday. The capitalistic schedule of a 9-5 can be broken and we do not have to live for the weekend or feel as if planning to hang out with your friends is like scheduling a doctor appointment. Because we did it while the U.S. and Mexico were still in the running.

Every match, my friends and I text each other planning what time we are meeting. I even got called into work one game and brought clothes to change into after my shift as I sped toward downtown Pomona to catch the second half of the game.

And after the game we chilled at the bar and said, “Same time next week?”

Yes we had to get up for work the next day and yes we may have been a little hungover but those stressful and exciting ooo’s and ahh’s were all worth it.

I played soccer for 10 years and played at the club level. Quitting soccer after it being one of my biggest personality characteristics was hard and lonely at times when I wanted to watch a match but skipped it because it’s not in the top three most popular sports in America.

The 2026 World Cup opened my eyes to friends of mine that I was unaware of their soccer interest and now know who I can talk to about the Champions League.

It also heals a part of my younger self that had such an abrupt end to playing soccer. My dad was there at all of my games and tournaments, especially when my mom worked weekends. He came home after work with a happy meal for the car ride to soccer practice at least once a week, always showing up for something I loved. Big props to my mom too, love you Ma!

But the 2026 World Cup final lands on my dad’s birthday and I find that the cherry on top to this special and monumental summer America got to enjoy.

But for now, I am going for England and Spain, maybe France but as I write this they are down 1-0 at halftime to Spain….

XOXO,

S☮️