The World Cup is one of the biggest global events, taking place only once every four years, making it a rare and anticipated event enjoyed by millions all around. However, the upcoming tournament will be even more memorable, because it will be hosted in the United States. This year, excitement isn’t only global, it’s much closer to home especially for the Glendale community and students at Clark.
During the FIFA World Cup, fans show pride in their countries through flags, jerseys, and celebrations, creating a shared sense of excitement across different cultures, bringing communities closer together. Even those who do not usually follow soccer, follow the World Cup because of the overwhelming excitement even its anticipation brings.
For many students, the World Cup will quickly become part of everyday life, even outside of school. Since the tournament begins right after the school year ends, its impact won’t be felt in classrooms, but in how students spend their time over the summer. Conversations will likely shift toward match results, favorite teams, and predictions. Group chats, social media, and time spent with friends will start to revolve around the World Cup, bringing students together and creating a sense of community. “I’m so excited to experience the World Cup again after four years of waiting. Everyone has the bar set high, so I’m hoping it will turn out very good,” freshman Vaghik Hakobyan said.
Outside of Clark’s campus, the greater city of Glendale is expected to feel the effects as well. With the World Cup happening in the U.S., more visitors are expected than usual. This year, the World Cup in Los Angeles will take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, which is hosting eight matches. Since the event only happens every four years, demand is already high and could lead to crowded public spaces, longer wait times, and limited availability at restaurants and popular spots. “Glendale already gets busy, and with the World Cup happening it’s probably going to cause crazy lines and crowds, especially at malls and coffee shops,” freshman Flora Mandalyan said. For locals, this may make everyday plans harder to manage.
Along with the crowds, rising costs also are likely to become an issue. As more people come into the area, prices for food, activities, and events may increase. Watching games at public venues or gathering spots could become more expensive or require reservations. Many people may find themselves spending more than usual, as reservations become necessary and popular places quickly fill up.
At the same time, there are potential benefits. Local businesses may gain more attention, and the sense of global connection can be exciting, especially in a diverse community. Still, the combination of the World Cup’s rarity in the U.S. suggests that its impact will be extremely noticeable.
The weeks of the World Cup may look a lot different than usual with busier streets, longer waits, and higher prices mixed in with the excitement of a global event happening close by. Planning ahead, adjusting expectations, and staying aware of these changes could make the experience for the Glendale community easier to navigate and allow residents to fully enjoy the exhilarating atmosphere the tournament brings.
