LOS ANGELES – David Gallardo traveled all the way from Spain to experience the World Cup in person.
Gallardo proudly hails from Fuenlabrada, a suburb near the center of Madrid. His World Cup vacation has taken him across America, attending Spain’s first two matches in Atlanta before switching coasts ahead of the first knockout match in Los Angeles. It was there that he discovered that, when fulfilling his biggest dream, the smallest details stood out.
“Yesterday, I went to the area around (SoFi Stadium) where the United States was playing and when I was leaving there was a man carrying hot dogs who happened to be close by when I was talking to other people,” Gallardo said. “We struck a chord and he gave me a hot dog. It’s a silly story, but it was a really nice gesture.”
In lieu of attending Spain’s final group stage match, he visited the Union Station Fan Zone to gain another new experience.
“The football atmosphere from all parts of the world, and especially the way I’m being treated as a Spaniard, I feel we are very loved here,” he said. “It changes football a lot and all I can do is be thankful because, honestly, I feel at home.”
The fan zone and this World Cup have perfectly illustrated the idea of America being a blend of different communities.
“We always talk about the United States being like a melting pot, but it’s different when it’s people that live in other countries being here at one time and just being so connected and joyful and happy,” L.A. local Phreezy Naufaldy said.
“I actually went to Qatar last (World Cup), so I got to experience firsthand what it was like to see the entire world in one space, let alone for my favorite sport. I think the fact that it brings everyone together is a very beautiful thing.”
This fan zone took over Union Station in Los Angeles from June 25-28 for the final weekend of the World Cup group stage and opening match of the knockout rounds. While some results eliminated teams from the competition, the overwhelming emotion was one of joy.
“There are no differences,” said Monica Reynolds, who was born in Ecuador but now lives in Nevada. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what you look like, we all share the same love for football. It doesn’t matter what team you support because even if we lose, we are still happy.”
The World Cup brings people together in spirit.
“You can walk down the street and just because you’re wearing a Spain jersey, people are greeting you and cheering you up,” Gallardo said. “You meet people from all different countries and if you get to know them, they’ll open their homes to you.”
International fans have certainly felt at home. FIFA announced that over 4.6 million fans from 210 different countries and territories attended the group stage matches, consuming 300,000 hot dogs in the stadiums. Supporters also purchased over 2.8 million beers compared to just under one million water bottles.
Fans are painting cities across America in new colors.
“The Scots were in Boston partying and going to the Red Sox game and singing the entire game. In New York, the Norwegians are taking over Times Square doing ‘The (Viking) Row,’” Naufaldy said. “It was 11 p.m. on a Wednesday night and there were green (Mexico) jerseys everywhere (in Los Angeles). It’s been awesome to feel the inner mix between different cultures.”
The melting pot has even more flavor due to the World Cup expanding the competition to feature 48 teams instead of 32. Some soccer enthusiasts were frustrated with the expansion, with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin reportedly telling Slovenian website Zurnal 24 that the expansion would cause “matches that are completely uninteresting.”
For fans representing the smaller countries in the tournament, this sentiment could not be further from the truth.
“This entire World Cup has really put Cape Verde on the map, which means so much to me,” said Eliza Singleton, whose family is from Cape Verde. “I feel so immensely proud of the team for constantly fighting and proving all of the odds wrong.”
Cape Verde made history in this World Cup, becoming the smallest country by population to qualify for the knockout stage. The island nation is home to roughly 530,000 people, which would make it the third most populous city in Arizona behind Tucson ( about 550,000) and ahead of Mesa (about 510,000).
As a result of his heroic saves and clean sheet performances, Cape Verde’s goalkeeper, Vozinha, ascended to superstar status, rising from 50,000 to over 28 million Instagram followers during the tournament.
“Seeing the reception from the world continuously cheering us on, it’s such an honor to be part of the underdog story of this year’s World Cup,” Singleton said. “I’m proud to be one of the Cape Verdeans here to show that we’re here on the West Coast and we’re all around the world.”
Fans said the overjoyous feelings stand out, especially in times of tribulation.
“Nowadays, it feels like everything’s so divisive and here, we’re all in it together and that’s really, really cool,” L.A. local and University of California, Berkeley student Ian McLendon said. “There’s just something to be said for being able to go to an event like (the fan zone) and have it be more like a community experience where it feels like everyone’s coming together.”
While countries experience global conflict including the ongoing one between the United States and Iran, the World Cup unites individuals, fans said.
“The team reception was not so good because of the problems everybody knows, but being a fan, no, everything has been fine,” said Iranian Babak Agah, who attended a couple of the team’s group stage matches before visiting the fan zone. “I find it very interesting that I find even many Americans that are cheering for Iran, which is surprising.”
Fans are finding the tournament to be a much-needed distraction from world events.
“It’s really good to support my team, especially with all the situations that are currently going on,” said Mahdis Jenabi, who was born in Iran but now lives in Orange County, California. “I just focus on the sports.”
While the journey has ended on the pitch for the United States, the country will continue to play a key part in the tournament as the sole host of the quarterfinals, semifinals and final.
“It’s just so cool to see how the country has really embraced all these teams from all over the world,” said Ian’s mother, Barbra McLendon. “People are just really excited about the games and excited to celebrate the sport and it’s really fun to be a part of it.”
Fans like Gallardo, who have felt the embrace from America, are hopeful their teams will continue to create the same good feelings.
“Last year, I was in New York at MetLife Stadium for the Club World Cup final,” Gallardo said. “I’m telling you, that stadium owes me a final. It didn’t happen with Real Madrid, so I’m coming back to celebrate one with my Spain.”
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