‘I dreaded the World Cup but am now embracing it’: how the tournament won over (most) people in host cities

‘We’ve made new friends around the globe’ While Kansas City is the smallest of the 16 host cities, it has a history of punching above its weight and – armed with our own compelling soccer history to buoy us – organisers and the community worked hard to ensure that we wowed visitors and viewers alike. Hiccups with shuttle buses and traffic at our first home match were quickly addressed and resolved by our second match. Our watch parties are heartily attended; our official fan fest teems with people from all over the world. The people in the city wearing soccer jerseys from every country you can imagine have added to a singularly colourful environment that will mark our memories for a very long time. From Algeria getting adopted by the people of Lawrence, to Netherlands fans taking over a bar in Parkville, and the England and Argentinian teams embracing Kansas City barbecue, we made new friends around the globe thanks to this World Cup . Eric Wahl, Kansas City ‘People​ have fully embraced the atmosphere’ The metro construction projects in Monterrey were not completed before the tournament began but people have largely forgotten about that​ and fully embraced the World Cup atmosphere, just as I expected – perhaps even more than I imagined.​ Mexican people have always been very welcoming, but this has taken things to a whole new level. I saw Japanese fans in the city’s old quarter celebrating in complete harmony with the locals. …