Just about four years ago I was in Sorrento, Italy. It was December, which is actually quite a nice time to go to Sorrento, a little damp and rainy, sure, but you’ll have the place to yourself. And hey, maybe you can buy some anchovies off a couple of old sea dogs.
Of course December 2022 was also the last Copa Mundial1. Back then, after spending a month in Argentina a few months prior, my soul was fully invested in Messi finally winning the ‘chip. And, being in Italy, so was everyone else. So everyone in Sorrento (at least it felt like everyone) tucked into a small Irish pub and watched one of the most dramatic matches — sporting events of any kind — I’ve ever seen.
But the vibes were different this time around. For one, Argentina turned into the world’s fútbol boogeyman. I largely attribute that to the Trump-Milei bromance. And the Trump-Infantino bromance. But this Argentine team’s mobster-esque brand of fútbol didn’t help their case either. Though, I will say that I’ve watched enough sports in my life to know that everyone has grievances about everything and every outcome is stolen2. It’s just part of the experience. This final was a proper ass whooping though, no doubt about it.
And as entertaining as it was to watch the World Cup spread across the U.S. this year, watching it in a country that’s so deeply passionate about the sport just feels right. There’s a cohesive understanding of the game and the stakes, both of which build palpable tension. During the USA vs. Belgium match someone next to me, who was all clad in USA gear, joked with their friend “Can we just root for Belgium now?”...CAN YOU IMAGINE? I mean sure, a joke, but that’s the point, this is absolutely no joking matter for the rest of the world! I mean it’s not as if I really lost sleep over USA’s loss myself, so, I guess therein lies the problem.
I do wonder what it was like as a tourist going to some of the matches. Picture stepping foot into this country for the first time and following your team from Boston to Miami to Dallas to Seattle. Four places so dramatically different from one another, you couldn’t help but think no wonder this country is a mess. If that was you, I’d love to hear about your experience.
And still, AND STILL, I love the World Cup. What other event makes you care so deeply about countries you could barely point to on a map, let alone know the names on the back of their jerseys? Where else do you watch a goal so beautiful, incredible, spectacular, that Sidny Lopes Cabral had to run into the stands to hug his girlfriend. It has everything, truly.
Fortunately I live in one of the host cities, Seattle, and we had six matches here total. I admit I was apprehensive at first, but I think the city did a pretty damn good job at hosting and creating engaging spaces to watch the matches. In Seattle, our stadiums are within walking distance of great restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and easy to get to with public transit. All things that make going to any event, or even just being around said event, truly a world class experience.
Scenes from Egypt vs. Iran and USA vs. Belgium below.
Skylar
I’ve been exclusively watching the Telemundo broadcast.
That said there were some calls and implementation of VAR that seemed, uh, questionable, at best.
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