OPINION: FIFA World Cup inspires community togetherness

A collective gasp sucked the air from inside of New York Beer Project in Horizon West. Belgium had just scored its fourth goal against Team USA Monday, July 6, solidifying the 4-1 defeat in the Round of 16. 

In that moment, Team USA’s historic 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an end. 

The group Melissa and John Ried had organized to cheer on Team USA slowly dissipated into the night.

“There’s always next time,” some said as they consoled one another.

It was their second watch party the Rieds had organized at the NY Beer Project. It served as an opportunity to get together and see friends from the West Orange Chamber of Commerce while also cheering on their country. 

A sea of red, white and blue had covered the restaurant at 8 p.m. for game time. Everyone arrived early to snag seats and chitchat before the game began. Once it did — everyone’s eyes focused on the action. 

Amy Pryor said she followed Team USA throughout the season. Athletics always has been an important part of her life, and she played three years of varsity soccer, along with other sports, for Cocoa High School. 

Others, including John Ried, also were serious soccer fans, but for most, watching Team USA’s run was more about being with others. 

I can’t claim to be a soccer fan. I didn’t even follow the World Cup when it came around four years ago. But that doesn’t mean I don’t understand it. After all, it was the first sport I played, and it’s always a joy to be surrounded by the dedicated fans at Orlando City games who make each game so lively. 

So going to watch Team USA was my first time dipping my toes into the waters of the international world of football. 

All I can say is I understand it now, and what an atmosphere it created!

First, we went to see the Knockout Round Wednesday, July 1. 

The sheer unity filling the restaurant was remarkable. Never before have I watched a game and actually seen everyone unanimously cheering on the same team. Perhaps that’s what all the restaurants were like in New York for the Knicks. Or for anyone who doesn’t follow sports, it was comparable to the anticipation of everyone standing around the TV watching the ball drop for New Years — except this was better.

Chants of “Team USA” filled the venue following each of the four goals — although only two actually counted but hey, the “W” at the end is all that really matters. It was like everyone was synced up and seat launchers were placed in the chairs as they all rose at the same time with arms in the air, and strangers shared smiles and high fives. 

After experiencing that, stepping into NY Beer Project, which is a huge venue with a perfectly oversized TV for viewing, the scene of viewers adorned with American flags made perfect sense. 

Unfortunately, the loss symbolized just how unified people can become after a downfall and there was much less cheering. Although, like Melissa Ried had promised, everyone jumped up on beat and filled the air like we were at a stadium doing the wave.  

What I’ve come to realize is the World Cup essentially is like the Olympics, except there’s only one sport to follow. You can’t flip the TV on to five different sports being broadcast at the same time. Everyone is glued to the same game, and there is only one gold to take home. Honestly, this moment is projecting the same energy as when the U.S. men’s hockey team won gold in the recent Olympics — we saw a country rejoice, and Jack Hughes will go down in history for his front-teeth knockout. 

For a country that can be split on topics at times, the World Cup absolutely unified everyone; it’s a prime example of the impact of sports. Sports are much more than just a game, and I hope the World Cup has helped some realize that. They bring people together and even tear them apart if people don’t agree on their favorite teams. It truly is a beautiful sight to see.

“This is what brings people together and what the World Cup is all about,” Jenna Jesko said. 

What makes this year’s FIFA World Cup extraordinary — besides the fact that Team USA hadn’t won a Knockout Round game in 24 years — has been the use of social media to broadcast the behind the scenes of every country visiting the USA. It’s what has made me, and I’m sure others, more inclined to keep up with the summer madness. 

It’s honestly another way to showcase how sports bring people together. 

“It’s teaching others about the USA,” Melissa Ried said. 

What we’ve learned from watching our international guests try American cuisine is that refillable sodas are a spectacular sight and apparently the best dipping sauce is ranch (which is accurate). It also is confirmed that U.S. food portions are absolutely huge, and Texans with their barbecue ribs know how to serve a good time. 

I guess the word “world” in the cup’s title gives away that it is guaranteed to bring different cultures together, but something about seeing it all unfold within your own country just makes it so much more amazing. 

So, I implore you to go watch the final game of the World Cup July 19. You don’t have to be a soccer fan to enjoy the final. Rather, it’s another opportunity to be together even though Team USA is out.