World Cup Fans Create Joy From Boston to Oslo

When 92-year-old Irene Rosell Soriano wheeled up to watch Mexico's World Cup opener under a bridge in Tacuba, she had no intention of missing history. "Did you think I was going to miss a World Cup? No way, of course not!" she said, the Mexican flag draped across her lap.

Ms. Soriano represents millions of fans who've transformed the 2026 FIFA World Cup into something bigger than sport. From packed beaches in Rio to viewing parties in Tehran cinemas, supporters are riding every emotional wave their teams create.

Scotland's return to the World Cup after 28 years brought tens of thousands of fans to Boston, where they nearly drank bars dry. The "Tartan Army" marched through streets blasting bagpipes and singing their unofficial anthem "No Scotland No Party."

"I wasn't sure about the States hosting the World Cup but they've done us proud really," said Karl Johnston, a 57-year-old civil servant from Glasgow. "From the police to the bar staff and the locals, it's been a really beautiful experience."

Norway introduced the tournament to their "rowing" celebration, where fans sit in stadium rows like Viking longboats and mime rowing to a drum beat. After beating Senegal in a match that finished at 4am, hundreds marched to Oslo's royal palace at sunrise to perform the ritual, chanting "We're going to wake up the king."

The Ripple Effect

These celebrations are transforming host cities into global villages. Mexico superfan Héctor "Caramelo" Chávez brought his son to his 11th World Cup, passing down decades of passion to the next generation.

Young fans paint their faces in national colors while parents wrap them in flags like security blankets. In Madrid, crowds erupted when Spain scored. In Johannesburg, fans gathered to watch Mexico face South Africa, proving the World Cup erases borders.

The tournament has become a showcase of culture itself. Fans honor legends like Lionel Messi with stadium tributes, while others celebrate with uniquely local traditions like drinking "shoeys" with cardboard cutouts of players.

Ms. Soriano became an online sensation when cameras caught her celebrating Mexico's victory over Korea. "That's the extent of our love for soccer," she explained. "We carry it in our blood."

Three million people are discovering that the beautiful game creates beautiful moments when humanity comes together.