I was initially indifferent to the World Cup. Yet, I can’t seem to turn away from it. I’m not alone.
Others and I watched Germany stave off the Ivory Coast’s potential upset last Saturday at Clubhouse Cafe in Cliffside Park, NJ. There, the whole place seemed to be rooting for the Ivory Coast, but Germany prevailed in the end, 2-1.
I can imagine what the place was on Thursday night when unheralded and previously winless Turkey got a last-minute goal to upend the US, 3-2, in a game played in LA.
Of course, the US is the home team, and you know what that means. But for the other games? What’s unique about the World Cup is that I’m not sure fans care who wins. They just enjoy the experience. Consider this. Who didn’t enjoy seeing Canada beat Qatar to win its first-ever World Cup game?
Then, there are the players. It has been interesting seeing Argentines in town watching Lionel Messi’s every move in leading Argentina to a championship. He has been the story of the World Cup by scoring his first-ever hat trick against Algeria and then notching a couple of goals against Austria. The Argentina and Inter Miami CF star is showing he still has it at 39.
Overall, the World Cup is more than about the results. America going as far as it can would make the best story. But the World Cup is not just about our country. It’s about who can captivate anyone, especially the non-soccer crowd. You can see that happening in sports bars across the country with watch parties and the like. Cynicism, so embedded in our sports mindset, is nowhere to be seen. Instead, having a good time watching sporting events is.
Sports bring everyone together, and the World Cup has done that; and how great that is in a country that seems to be becoming more divisive each passing day.
It’s something this sport should be proud of. So, from where I sit, the World Cup 2026 champion has already been crowned. It’s the game of soccer (football, to the rest of the world).
