Local fans getting stoked for the World Cup

By DANIELA RYNOTT

Every four years, the world stops to watch the biggest sporting event worldwide. 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is now under way in the United States, Canada and Mexico, marking the first time the tournament will be hosted across three nations. With games being played at venues across the country — including the nearby MetLife stadium in New Jersey — excitement for soccer fans is all around.

The Recorder asked people who they’re rooting for, who they think could win, and what the World Cup means to them.

‘Friendlies?’ Hardly

Conor Higgins, a year-round soccer fan, spent the previous night watching the U.S. Women’s team take on the Brazilian Women’s team in the second of two friendly matches played in Brazil this past week. The games served as early preparation for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be hosted by Brazil — but based on the intensity of these “friendlies,” the term hardly seemed to apply.

The first game, which took place June 6 in São Paulo, ended in a 2-1 U.S. loss in front of a crowd of over 31,000 fans. The U.S. bounced back in the rematch on June 9 in Fortaleza, winning 1-0 before an even larger crowd of over 55,000 spectators — a result Higgins noted with pride.

The electric atmosphere on Brazilian home turf was palpable even through a screen. 

U.S. Women’s coach Emma Hayes captured it well after the first game: “It was an amazing atmosphere and it’s one that, as much as I can prepare my team for this, you don’t really know until you experience it. I am sure for many of my players this is the first time they’ve ever experienced an intensity from the crowd.”Tension only grew in the second match. Brazilian coach Arthur Elias, several of his staff members and multiple players were sent off, with eight red cards shown in total. 

When asked which team he’s rooting for this summer, Higgins didn’t hesitate. “USA, naturally, and Ireland, for my ancestry,” he said. On the men’s side, he sees Europe as the likely destination for the trophy. “Likely Spain or Germany,” he predicted. 

As for players to watch, Higgins is most excited about the U.S. women’s squad, singling out forwards Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson. 

Brazil, Spain or Argentina?

While Higgins cheers on the U.S. from his living room, Brazilian native Leca Napolitano Serrão enthusiastically roots for the opposing side from her home.

“I have a lot of pride for my country,” she said.

When it comes to predicting a winner, Serrão was measured.

“There are a lot of teams with great potential, so it’s hard to say who will win,” he said.

As for the women’s tournament, she noted that the U.S. has been playing well — a preview of what’s to come when Brazil hosts the Women’s World Cup in 2027. 

On the player front, Serrão has her eyes on both the veterans and the next generation. She’s eager to see Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, play in what will likely be his fourth and final World Cup.

Serrão is also watching how younger stars develop on the biggest stage: Barcelona right winger Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana, just 18 years old, and 19-year-old Brazilian striker Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa. 

A year-round follower of Corinthians and Barcelona, Serrão admits the World Cup brings a different level of attention to her household. 

“I pay way more attention during the World Cup because it’s a huge event culturally,” she said. 

‘I love Ronaldo’

José Criollo knows exactly where his loyalties lie this summer. 

“I’ve got to support my national teams, USA and Ecuador,” he said. “But my nonnational team would probably be Portugal, because I love Ronaldo.”

On predictions, Criollo sees Europe taking the trophy. 

“Realistically it’s probably going to be Spain, maybe Portugal — they have the best team they’ve ever had in their history,” he said. 

As for players to watch, Criollo has his eye on two historic milestones. Kylian Mbappé, the French forward, is within striking distance of becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history — just five goals away, according to Criollo. 

As for where he’ll be watching, Criollo is keeping his options open. He recently bought a projector and plans to watch games outdoors at home or at nearby pubs.

A chance to see France

On June 5, Rachel Harrison Massa of Cross River put up a Facebook post to sell four World Cup tickets for the June 13 Haiti vs. Scotland match in Foxboro, Mass., at $550 each.

The Recorder was curious why a local World Cup ticket holder had bought tickets to a match roughly four hours away in Massachusetts.

“My kids are huge soccer fans,” Harrison Massa explained. “My middle son had planned to go ‘on tour’ for his bar mitzvah trip, haha. We’re going to (next) Tuesday’s game, France vs. Senegal, to see Mbappé." With tickets secured for the June 16 match at MetLife Stadium in Rutherford, Harrison Masa and her kids are ready to join the millions of soccer fans in the U.S. and worldwide who will be watching the World Cup  get underway. 

Daniela Rynott is a freshman journalism major at Northeastern University. Senior Reporter Jeff Morris contributed to this story.