As a soccer fan, what impressed you the most about this year’s FIFA World Cup, and did you attend any matches?
What impressed me most wasn’t just the soccer; it was seeing America through the eyes of people from all over the world. Everywhere I went, fans pointed out things we often take for granted, and I kept hearing the same thing and that was that back home so much of the news they see about the United States is negative. Then they got here and experienced something completely different. That was refreshing. The other big takeaway was watching this country rally around the U.S. team. You could feel the excitement building with every match. If there was ever any doubt that soccer has become a major sport in America, this World Cup erased it. I was fortunate enough to attend five matches, including the final, and being there to experience the atmosphere in person is something I’ll never forget.
Were you pleased with the results in the final?
Absolutely. I thought Spain was the better team and deserved to win. I was disappointed by the way Argentina handled the loss, though. Turning their backs on the podium while Spain was receiving the trophy wasn’t the way you want a World Cup to end.
One of the highlights for me was getting down to the field afterward to interview FIFA President Gianni Infantino and hear his genuine reaction after pulling off what I think was the tournament of a lifetime. I have to believe this World Cup proved that the United States, along with Mexico and Canada, can host this event better than anyone. We have the stadiums, the infrastructure, the access, and the atmosphere to make it an unforgettable experience. In fact, next time I’d say let the U.S. host all 104 matches! For more than 30 days, soccer was the biggest sport in America. That was incredible to see. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that within the next decade, soccer will be sharing the spotlight with the NFL.
