We are the World (Cup)

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The United States received the most wonderful gift for our 250th birthday. Based on the fact that we haven’t been playing well with others recently, we probably didn’t deserve such a gift, but it was pre-ordered and non-returnable, so the world gave it to us anyway. Nicknamed the Great American Sleepover, the 2026 World Cup is both our birthday gift and the party that we really needed right now.

The internet has been awash with stories of visitors discovering joy in their experiences in the United States. Of foreign teams forming unlikely bonds with the residents of their American host cities. Of large groups of exuberant fans invading and captivating major cities. It’s so wonderful to be reminded of the best that our country can be, and that is such an amazing gift. 




The World Cup even generated enough energy to thaw the Seattle freeze. If you are not from around here, this is the reputation amongst some for being polite but not that friendly. It’s kind of like in The Hobbit when Bilbo Baggins offers hospitality to his dwarf visitors while at the same time resenting them for it.  That has not been the case with the World Cup in Seattle. We are proud to say that our region has been warm and welcoming. 



Seattle has shown the world the soccer culture not only exists, but that it is alive and well in the USA. Our stadium was ranked #1 out of the 16 cities hosting across the three countries. When the US scored a goal  against Australia, the crowd response from the stadium was measurable on the Richter scale. Locals call this a beast quake because the crowd cheering on Marshawn Lynch’s “beast mode” plays during Seattle Seahawks games would register as small earthquakes. Marshawn, one of Seattle’s favorite adopted sons, was not only at the stadium for the World Cup beast quake, but he led the 10,000+ US supporters that joined in the march to that match.



Seattle is also the only host to have our fan experience spread along a four mile Unity Loop throughout the city. Erika and River explored a big chunk of the Unity Loop on the day of the US game. Areas closer to the stadium were too full to be able to watch the match, so they strolled along the new waterfront promenade before finding a good watch spot downtown. In 2019 Seattle tore down the freeway that separated downtown from the waterfront, replacing it with a public art filled pedestrian space connecting parks, restaurants, local attractions. 



It was exciting to be in the crowd cheering on the “home” team and mingling with visitors from around the world. The whole city was bubbling with excitement. With everything going on in the US we needed the reminder that there is something unique and wonderful to celebrate. It could not come at a better time.



Outside Seattle there are fan zones throughout the region, including those hosted by the Puyallup Tribe, the only indigenous World Cup partner. Although our official hosting duties are done next week, local fan zones will still be active until the end of the tournament. The collective effervescence of these fan experiences will keep the party going. We plan to enjoy as much of it as possible. 



Unlike Bilbo, we didn’t want to write an epic tome: There and Back Again: A World Cup Tale. After all, this blog is about snippets and side quests. So watch this space for more about our World Cup experiences in and out of the stadium.

Location: Seattle, WA, USA

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