In New York, the World Cup still feels distant as the United States get underway | OneFootball

In New York, the World Cup is struggling to register. The United States begin their campaign on Friday night.

According to L'Équipe, children on the Lincoln Center plaza at Broadway and Colombus Avenue were transfixed by freestyle tricks, the mood closer to street culture than football.

Nearby screens showed Mexico 2-0 South Africa in the opener, yet most barely paused. A few Mexico supporters watched intently, green shirts common along Manhattan’s avenues, with plenty of Scots in town.

Stella, 40, a Mexican American street vendor near Sesame Street, followed on her phone and said her community loves the game. Others were unmoved, like Aaron, a dreadlocked taxi driver and Knicks fan who preferred NBA talk.

Midtown is Knicks country, one win from the title against Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs at 3-1. Shops push franchise tees beside ones lauding Zohran Mamdani, the new superstar mayor.

About 30 Brazil fans made music on the steps and looked to Saturday night against Morocco at midnight in New Jersey, 15 km away. Brito, from Coritiba, said they believed in a sixth star.

A nearby protest, with a huge inflatable Elon Musk and criticism of Grok, X’s AI, drew the biggest crowd. Volunteer Randy said bigger issues trump what he called Trump’s World Cup and that a month-long tournament would change little.

The United States face Paraguay in Los Angeles, roughly 4,000 km from New York, with kick-off at three am, and the event still feels remote.

Source: L'Équipe