The World Cup has completed its first week, and while logistics have sometimes been challenging, the people and the football have been good. It was quite a contrast touching down in sleepy Kansas City hours after witnessing bedlam on the streets of New York when the Knicks won the NBA Finals and Brazil drew with Morocco. But this is a World Cup full of contrasts, from Fifa’s never-ending quest to make a quick buck to the warmth shown by locals in the Big Apple, Kansas City, and Dallas.
A Nation Divided by the World Cup
In Texas, the World Cup means everything and absolutely nothing. Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia followers pack bars in Houston’s East Downtown district, while a stadium in Dallas is filled with “Ronaldo 7” shirt wearers with local accents. Yet a 5,000-strong Republican party convention had not registered the tournament, and numerous Uber drivers were blissfully unaware of how soccer works. This country is big enough to host a vibrant World Cup, yet capable of hosting one that passes entirely unnoticed.
Stadiums: Spaceships and Immersive Experiences
Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium is a spaceship-like arena with a teardrop-shaped 1 million square foot canopy. In Dallas, the mega screen offers an immersive cinematic experience as elite football unfolds below. Atlanta’s stadium provides free ice-cream with sprinkles and M&Ms in the press area, and its downtown location enhances the atmosphere. The stadiums have been very good, with SoFi the best of its type in the world.
Football Quality and Surprises
The standard of international football has never been higher. Cape Verde, Haiti, and Norway have shown that even supposed minnows are well coached and physically impressive. The big goalgetters like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Harry Kane have turned up, providing timeless moments. Sweden’s demolition of Tunisia with the Isak-Gyökeres combo was a highlight.
Logistical Challenges and Local Reactions
Donald Trump’s absence from the US’s opening win was a pleasant surprise for Fifa. The sheer scale of the US has left reporters open-mouthed, with freeways miles long and downtown districts of concrete. A tornado warning in Kansas City lasted an hour, forcing everyone indoors. In New York, the Knicks’ NBA title parade overshadowed the World Cup. Yet Ecuador had over 60,000 supporters in Philadelphia for their match against Côte d’Ivoire.
Expanded Format: Jeopardy and Prognostication
The expanded format has sucked jeopardy from opening group games, as third place in eight of 12 groups advances. Uncertainty around the progression threshold disempowers the tradition of World Cup prognostication. Whether this sacrifice is worth fewer dead rubbers remains to be seen.
Cultural Observations
In Kansas City, mid-west charm reminds that the US is more than the news. Extreme weather brings heat, humidity, and tornado warnings. It is hard to avoid eating meat, with chicken feeling like the vegetarian option. Interest in football is mixed; Americans watching baseball occasionally check the score, but dedicated fans are present. The food is great, coffee mediocre, and jet lag a challenge.
