As Washington D.C. prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with fan zones, watch parties, and outdoor screenings, soccer fans from different backgrounds are preparing for the tournament. The city’s international community makes it one of the best locations in the United States to experience the excitement of the World Cup.
One fan who is looking forward to the tournament is Coach DJ, who explained where he is from.
“I’m from Daytona Beach, but I went to high school at Hayfield High School,” Coach DJ said.
When asked which team he plans to support, Coach DJ chose the home team, the USA. Coach DJ also shared his thoughts about attending matches in person.
“I was gonna go until I saw prices were $1,000 a ticket, so now I’m watching them at home,” Coach DJ said.
Another fan interviewed was Darwin Mejia, a freshman, who comes from Guatemala. Unlike some casual viewers, Darwin described himself as a strong supporter of soccer. Darwin plans to cheer for one of the favorites, France, predicting they will have a successful tournament.
“France, they’re a pretty strong team,” Mejia said.
Abdul Matin, a freshman, shared that soccer is more than just something he watches, and he plans to enjoy the world cup with people close to him.
“Yeah, I play soccer…most likely I will watch the games with my friends,” Matin said.
Like several other fans, Matin believes France has a strong chance of winning.
Ferdinand Ainoo, a freshman who is originally from Ghana, also shared his thoughts on the tournament. When asked which team he supports, Ainoo admitted that his decision is influenced by who he thinks will win. Ainoo is rooting for France.
Ferdinand also remembered a famous match from a previous World Cup that stood out to him and was his favorite match overall.
“Argentina versus France’s match stood out to me the most because it was intense,” Ainoo said.
When making his prediction for the upcoming tournament, Ainoo mentioned several possible champions.
“Maybe France, maybe Spain, maybe Portugal,” Ainoo said.
Ethan Luxner, a sophomore from Virginia does not consider himself a major soccer fan. Even so, he has chosen a team to support. Luxner plans to watch the matches from home.
“I support France and plan to watch at home with my friends,” Luxner said.
As Washington D.C. prepares to welcome fans with events on the National Mall, at Union Market, and in sports bars throughout the city, excitement continues to grow. While fans may support different teams and players, they all share anticipation for one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
