Gabri, 63

From: Willemstad, Curaçao
Lives in: Staten Island
Occupation: Professor of dance
Time spent in NYC: 33 years

When did you come to New York?

In '93, 30 years ago. I first went to Cuba and danced with Danza Contemporánea de Cuba. I lived in Puerto Rico and ended up in New York because I came here to perform.

Did you know you would live here?

Not at all. I always wanted to be back in the Caribbean to start something, but as an experimental, non-commercial artist, that was hard. New York grew on me. I got performances, met people, found an affordable apartment, joined a dance company (dancing with Bill T. Jones), did grad school, met my husband, and had a kid. Now I feel like both a New Yorker and a "Yu di Kòrsou" (child of Curaçao).

Can you tell me about the culture of soccer in Curaçao?

My father, Marcel, was a goalkeeper and even started a women's soccer group. My cousin, Chan Stomp, has been a trainer for Eloy Room and invested over 10 years in this development.

What was your reaction when Curaçao qualified for this World Cup?

I cried. When you're from a tiny place of 150,000 people, you spend your life explaining where you're from. To feel seen is a big deal. They played fantastically against countries with much more money and history.

Dani, 22

From: Santo Domingo, Ecuador
Lives in: Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Occupation: Baker
Time spent in NYC: 7 months

What brought you to NYC?

I did not want to be in Connecticut anymore, so a taxi drove me here to New York.

Do you like New York better than Connecticut?

Yes, it is better than Connecticut.

What’s your favorite part of living here so far?

My friends.

What is your best memory of the national team?

When we qualified after a long time. That was my greatest happiness.

Michael, 34

From: Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
Lives in: Dumbo, Brooklyn
Occupation: Musician
Time spent in NYC: 7 months

What’s it been like to see your country in the World Cup?

For me personally, I saw unity at a level that hasn't been seen in a long time. That's what makes the World Cup so special. You have a moment where your entire country can galvanize for one specific reason.

What can people learn about Haiti through your soccer?

Haitians are so proud of Haiti. There's a level of patriotism with the game, with the fact that we haven't qualified in 52 years. There's a whole different layer of commitment from the players. When you saw them on the pitch, they were representing the country. It's not just a game to them.

You helped write a World Cup song. Can you tell me about the process, and what makes a good World Cup song?

It's a huge honor that I got to do one with J Balvin two World Cups ago. It was called "Positivo," a nice fusion of Haitian sounds and Colombian sounds. For a great World Cup song, there seems to be a mix of Caribbean-feeling sounds, which at the base is African influence, Latin influence, and a bit of European influence. Something that has that combination of upbeat, happy, makes you want to dance, maybe some horns. J Balvin and I had horns in ours, too.

Vienna, 22

From: Auckland, New Zealand
Lives in: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Occupation: Entertainment Law
Time spent in NYC: 1.5 years

What’s it been like to see your country in the World Cup?

There’s this player called Elijah Just. He was the first person ever to score two goals in the World Cup for New Zealand. He's the same as me cause I'm half-Chinese, half-New Zealander. I feel like his career will go off, which is great to see from my country.

What makes NYC special?

If I was to go up to a girl at a bar, I'd be like, "Hey, like you look really cool. I want to be friends with you." They'd be like, "Oh my god, like hey." But in New Zealand that's not normal. I've made so many different friends here, more than I've ever made in my life. In New Zealand, a lot of my friends were the same vibe.

Anna, 35

From: Praia, Cabo Verde
Lives in: UES, Manhattan
Occupation: Actor
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 1.5 years

What brought you to N.Y.C.?

I wanted to pursue acting.

How does it feel to see Cabo Verde in the World Cup?

I'm not a big fan of soccer, but when I heard Cape Verde was in the World Cup, I was so excited. We are such a small country in size. When I arrived here, no one knew about Cape Verde; I had to say over and over, "West of Africa". People thought we spoke French, so they literally didn't know anything. For me, it was a feeling of pride, surprise, and hope.

What’s been your favorite memory of watching them play?

I loved watching the first game with Spain when the goalkeeper did such a good job. The first goal was very emotional for me. You never forget the first one; it was a beautiful goal.

Nkumu, 44

From: Kinshasa, DR Congo
Lives in: Harlem, Manhattan
Occupation: Musician
Time spent in NYC: 30 years

What brought you to N.Y.C.?

My father was here prior and then he invited me and my [siblings] in '96.

Were you sad to leave home?

I was excited to leave at that moment. A 15-year-old Congolese is like a 27-year-old here, because of what you experience in the Congo. When you start solving family problems at 15, your childhood has been stolen. Coming here was a chance to be a child again.

What does it feel to see your country in the World Cup?

52 years we never went to the World Cup — negative press, negative this — it was buried under negative terms. They want you to have that narrative so you can feel sorry for Africa. Congolese don't ask to feel sorry for. We're not victims, we have history, but this is the best time. That's why I push culture very hard, because I know it's one of the strongest weapon you have.

Alessi, 27

From: Vienna, Austria
Lives in: Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Occupation: Policy advocate
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 4 years

What brought you to New York?

I did an internship here during COVID for five months. I left [thinking], "I need to come back. I haven't discovered the true New York City." One of the first jobs that I got was here, so I took it as a sign.

What's your fondest memory of watching the national team play?

The last time they were in a World Cup was 1998, which was when I was born. So it's the first time I'm getting to watch the national team playing, and they just qualified to the next round. I can speak for most people in Austria that's extremely exciting, and let's see how far they get.

Marcos, 21

From: Caraguatay, Paraguay.
Lives in: Sunnyside, Queens
Occupation: Journalism student
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 21 years

What makes N.Y.C. special?

You're able to immerse yourself in so many different cultures at once. I mostly grew up with my Dominican friends so when I go to Paraguay, I speak Spanish with my family, they're like, "Why you speak Spanish like that?" But that's just the New York experience. You get to bond with so many different cultures.

What’s it been like to see your country in the World Cup?

I literally waited from when I was like 6 years old to see Paraguay play in a World Cup again. I burst out into tears when I heard the national anthem for Paraguay during the first game. You might see me burst into tears [during the game], but who cares?

Lexi, 27

From: Cap Town, South Africa
Lives in: Alphabet City, Manhattan
Occupation: Photographic Artist
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 2 years

What makes New York special?

The butterfly effect is really strong here. You can go to one party, meet one person, and your whole life can change. Me and my current housemate both moved into this random house share in Bushwick that neither of us had any connection to. If I hadn't met her, everything would be different. I wouldn't know anyone I know now.

What was it like when you guys hosted the World Cup in 2010?

I was about 11. The area where the stadium is in Cape Town, the area I grew up in. There's a before and after the 2010 World Cup for that area. They made the infrastructure so much better. They built this beautiful park, Green Point Park, that we never had before, and really improved the whole area. Everyone in South Africa who was alive remembers the World Cup. It was a moment of, "Okay, now we've arrived." It's a very important memory that everyone has.

Kamran, 32

From: Tehran, Iran
Lives in: Brooklyn
Occupation: Cafe staff member
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 3 years

What’s your fondest memory of watching the national team play?

I wish I could remember 1998, because that's when the U.S. and Iran played against each other. But I remember 2006 really well — that was my first real memory. Italy won. And [in the final], France, with the Zidane headbutt. Who could forget?

What’s it been like to see your country in the World Cup?

Watching Iran has always been an emotional thing, because they always have these odds stacked against them more than other countries. Sanctions have caused Iran to not have the same level of training camps as other countries. So it's always like, wow, these guys grew up in Iran and have to work within this system to accomplish their dreams.

Doha, 17

From: Casablanca, Morocco
Lives in: Brooklyn
Occupation: Student

What’s it been like to watch your country in the World Cup?

I love Morocco and I love the player Hakim Ziyech. Dima Maghrib! Shout out to Moroccan players.

What’s your fondest memory of watching the national team play?

I've been watching since I was a kid. I'm a big fan of Hakimi. I love Moroccan players because they always win. My teacher is always saying Egypt number one and Morocco two. And I can say no, Morocco is always number one.

Saif, 30

From: Baghdad, Iraq
Lives in: Astoria, Queens
Occupation: Lawyer
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 10 years

What role does soccer play in your country?

Soccer is our passion. When you want to hang out with friends, you play soccer. When you want to let go of things, you take a ball into the backyard. You play with your brother, by yourself, against the wall, with the whole neighborhood. Soccer is what brings us together. It united us in 2007 when we won the Asian Cup.

Can you tell me more about 2007?

There was a civil war that started around the end of 2005 and into 2006, between Sunnis and Shia, all over Iraq. I lost family. The national team in 2007 had players from both sects, all playing under one umbrella for Iraq. Everybody forgot about Sunni or Shia and just cheered for Iraq.

What’s it been like to see your country in the World Cup?

It was my first time seeing Iraq at a World Cup. The last time they qualified was 1986, 40 years ago. To hear the Iraqi national anthem on American soil, to see our flag inside an American stadium — I started crying. It's something I hadn't seen in over 20 years. There's a big community here, and I wanted to stop everyone and say, "I'm Iraqi too." Those moments deserve to be shared.

What brought you to N.Y.C.?

If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere — like the song. I didn't know that was actually true until I moved down here.

Juan, 29

From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Lives in: Ridgewood, Queens
Occupation: Actor
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 5 years

What’s your fondest memory of watching the national team play?

It's got to be the last one. I was there when we won. I was hugging people I didn't know, climbing up stuff, chanting. It's incredible what can happen in a country when someone kicks a ball right and scores.

What makes New York City special to you?

What I always say to people is, the best thing about New York is leaving. Once you leave, you're like, "Holy shit, I miss my city." The rats and all.

Where can you find a piece of home in New York City?

I met all of [my Argentine friends here] because of soccer. That's a classic in Argentina. A lot of the people you meet as a kid, you meet through soccer. I'll bring two friends from high school, one from musical theater, another I met somewhere else. I don't know anything about being a lawyer or about Bitcoin, but we all get along because we have that one thing in common — we just played a game. Soccer's the fucking best.

Kawa, 36

From: Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Lives in: The Bronx
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 8 years

What brought you to N.Y.C.?

My husband. He won the green card, and then we came here.

What role does soccer play in your country?

We love soccer. Because of soccer, we have like a time where it was hard. We struggling to get like in peace together, but because of soccer, soccer brought us together and that made us like more closer to soccer.

What is your fondest memory of watching the national team?

The first one. It was in 2006. You can imagine the excitement. Everyone was excited about it.

Khalil, 27

From: Kelibia, Tunisia
Lives in: Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
Occupation: Data engineer
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 7 months

What's the soccer culture like back home?

It's part of the politics, culture, history, everything. During the dictatorship before the Arab Spring, the state used to weaponize soccer so that people would focus just on soccer. Media didn't talk about politics, they talked about soccer. So soccer started representing everything else in the country. It became the only open space to say something — to blame the coach instead of the president. I personally think a big part of the Arab Spring and the precursor of the Tunisian revolution was stadiums. It's actually not about people playing soccer. It's more an identity.

What do you think makes New York special?

The first times I visited, I did the touristy things and felt it was overcrowded and dirty. But to appreciate New York, you have to live in it. One thing that's blowing my mind is how easy it is to meet people that are super famous or influencing the world, and you're just sitting next to them talking.

Julieta, 23

From: Juan Lacaze, Uruguay
Lives in: UES, Manhattan
Occupation: Finance
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 1 year

Can you tell me the relationship Uruguay has with football?

I have memories from being at elementary school, and when Uruguay played, we didn't even have to go to class. We would all go to a big room and just watch the game all together. I'm trying to get the same here in New York.

What's your fondest memory you have with the national team?

La Copa América. I don't remember if we won or not, but I remember a huge parade in the end and that was the best memory ever. It was actually when I got this [jersey] over 10 years ago. I remember that my mom was like, "Oh, if we get to the finals I'm going to get it for you," and we got there and she got it, and I just keep wearing it.

Yan Guan, 28

From: Zürich, Switzerland
Lives in: Chinatown, Manhattan
Occupation: Attaché, Swiss Mission to the UN
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 2 years

What brought you to New York?

My job. I work for the Swiss government in diplomacy.

Were you excited to come?

I never thought that it'd be possible to actually live here and call this my home. I still have moments where I walk through the streets and I'm like, "Wow, I live here."

What’s your fondest memory of watching the national team play?

It was last year during the Euros when I was home visiting. My dad works in the arts and is not a sports dad at all. He got so ecstatic when Switzerland won [a match]. I thought it was so incredibly sweet. It means something to have your country win at something, even if it wasn't even the final. I think that's what soccer and competitive sports in general are for.

Jordan, 32

From: Newcastle, Australia
Lives in: East Village, Manhattan
Occupation: Travel Blogger
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 2 months

What brought you to New York City?

I've been traveling the world for 11 years straight — 4,027 days exactly. I decided to pack it up and move to New York. I wanted to be in a city where I don't necessarily need to travel in order to experience travel.

Were you tired of traveling?

No, I just realized humans need community and routine. Traveling almost became too easy, and now the challenge was living in one place. That's where I'm trying to find that next level of personal growth.

How’s it been watching the World Cup from New York?

When on earth will you ever see Australians and Paraguayans hanging out? I just love the community that the World Cup brings together.

Martin, 35

From: Liège, Belgium
Lives in: Manhattan
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 3 years

What brought you to New York City?

I first lived in Princeton, New Jersey, but it was too quiet for me, so I decided to move to the city.

What makes New York special?

If you want to do something, there is something to do. Even if you don't want to do something, you go out, you see something happening in the street — "Oh, what's that?" and you go and you have a drink.

What’s your favorite memory of watching the national team play?

During the golden generation, I used to go with my friends; there was a World Cup village close to where I was living and we were there for all the games spending time with all my friends. It was a crazy time because we were winning at that time.

Ben, 44

From: Brighton, England
Lives in: Bushwick, Brooklyn
Occupation: Bouncer
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 16 years

What brought you to NYC?

I met my ex-wife 21 years ago in New York. Then she got a job in L.A., so I moved straight from Brighton to L.A. Spent four years in L.A., which I fucking hated. Then we moved back to New York 16 years ago. I've got two kids. They live down the block.

What role does soccer play in country?

It's something you do from when you're five. You go to school, you play in the school team, and then you find a club team. There's a term in the U.K. — jumpers for goalposts. You take off your sweater, put it down, and make a goal out of it.

What's your fondest World Cup or national-team memory?

The one that stays with me is Euro '96, the last time England hosted a tournament. We got to the semi-final against Germany, and I vividly remember watching it at a campsite on a shitty little CRT TV, all of us stuck on chairs in a field, watching England go out on penalties to Germany. I was in the middle of fucking Wales on a school trip, and it didn't matter where we were — we found a TV, watched the game, and went straight back to playing football afterwards.

Callum, 34

From: Dunfermline, Scotland
Occupation: Spirits industry
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 3 years

What's special about New York?

Going from Chicago to here was a major step up. We hosted a Scottish folk concert, had 500 Scottish people, and everybody kept coming up to us saying, This is incredible — you only get this in New York.

What's the soccer culture back home like?

We have a thing in Scotland called ABE: anybody but England. They're playing Panama, they're playing Croatia, I'm fucking Panamania, Croatian that day. They could be playing Timbuktu, and I'm from there that day.

How do you feel about Scotland participating for the first time in a while?

We don't believe that we're gonna win. So we came here with a sense of optimism that we might get a draw. But our job as the Tartan Army is to drink all the beer and make sure that we leave every city with a good impression.

Susan, 62

From: Labin, Croatia
Lives in: Rockland County, New York
Occupation: President of Rudar Club
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 59 years

How has this experience been for you with New York partly hosting the World Cup?

We have people from Ecuador right on the other side [of the street] constantly partying, and we go back and forth. On the first day, a group of Scottish men came in because they wanted Croatia to beat England. Previously, soccer was just okay for Americans, but other countries brought it to light.

What do you miss about Croatia?

The beach, no traffic, fresh air, music, fresh food, and the shopping. I love the Italian shoes and bags. It has a European flare with people from all over.

What can you tell me about the Rudar Club?

This club was built by men that worked in the coal mines in a little town called Labin, Croatia. They wanted a place to hang out, cook, sing songs, play cards, and play the accordion. They bought this building back in 1977 and named it the United Miner Soccer Club because of the miners from Labin. Now we've been here almost 50 years. I'm the first female president; for 47 years prior, it was all men. Since my dad worked in the mines and I was born in that village, I wanted to see if I could do it.

Safet, 27

From: Bursa, Türkiye
Lives in: East Village, Manhattan
Occupation: Cafe Owner
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 3 years

What brought you to New York?

I married a woman and I had to move here because she's living here. She is from Kyrgyzstan. I planned to stay a couple of weeks, but I stayed three months because of her. Now I'm trying, she's trying, and we will see.

This is your shop?

Yeah, this is our shop with my wife. We work together here.

What is it called?

Waffee. It's like "waffle" and "coffee."

Do you like New York City so far?

It's so hard for me because my city is slow, calm, and not crowded. Here is the opposite: fast, busy, and crowded. But still it's good. You can find everything. You can find Turkish food. You can find Indian food, Kyrgyz food, and Kazakh food. [My wife] likes Russian foods. In my city, we can't find Russian food there. It's better for us.

Martha, 65

From: Medellín, Colombia
Lives in: Jackson Heights, Queens
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 45

What brought you to N.Y.C.?

[My boyfriend at the time] came to New York and then he brought me in.

What is your favorite thing about New York? What do you think makes it special?

It's hard to say. The food, the community. I like Manhattan a lot.

You like Manhattan?

Yes. Even though I live here in Jackson Heights, I like Manhattan a lot.

Do you have a favorite memory of watching the Colombian soccer team play during the World Cup or any time?

In 1994, we won 5 to 0 against Argentina. It was very special.

Did you watch the game here or in Colombia?

It was here. I was in my apartment and when they scored I was like, "Goal! Goal!" and oh my god.

Helen, 41

From: Tamale, Ghana
Lives in: Astoria, Queens
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 14 years

What brought you to N.Y.C.?

I lived in Montréal for a few years. When things were wrapping up, I thought, "Do I go back home to London? Do I try another part of Canada?" Then, "New York's right there. Let me try it." 14 years later, three kids.

What is your favorite memory of the Ghana national team?

Whenever there's a goal that's scored, there is an African dance or some rhythm they all do together as a team. There will be those of us at home following them and doing the same thing. That's always a fond memory I've got.

Fanny, 28

From: Vasa, Finland
Lives in: Midtown, Manhattan
Occupation: Grad student
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 2 years

What brought you to New York?

My husband is the church organist here in the Church of Sweden. He got a job offer here, and I decided I wanted to do my master's here.

How do you like New York?

I did not know what I was getting myself into, but everything that you give, I feel like you get back. There's a great music scene for every genre. Me and my husband go to organ recitals, and something people don't know is most are free. You sit in a cathedral for an hour, packed with history and culture.

Tell me about the Swedish World Cup song.

Every year Sweden qualifies, there is a World Cup song. In 1994, it was called "När vi gräver guld i USA," or "When we dig for gold in the U.S." When I grew up, I thought it was about actual gold mining. But it means we want to win in the U.S. It was performed by these pop icons in Sweden. There's been a huge debate about nepotism in Sweden right now because their kids made a new World Cup song this year, but no one thinks it's as good.

Robin, 33

From: The Hague, Netherlands
Lives in: Brooklyn
Occupation: Performance artist
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 15 years

Why did you want to move here?

My mom saved up and took me here when I was like 12, for just a week of Broadway shows. As a naive 12-year-old, I was like, "This is it." I got a scholarship for a school here, and from age 12 to age 18 my only goal was to make it to New York City.

What do you like about New York?

I think it takes so much grit to be here. New Yorkers are tough people, but they're also curious — people who want to move forward. You can feel that even walking around the city.

What is the football culture like in the Netherlands?

It's very serious. Growing up in the Netherlands, soccer was the sport. I was the nerd who would chime in the moment we get somewhere high in the rankings. Curacao is the same. My grandfather in Curacao was on the board of our national soccer league there, so it's in my family.

Muhammed, 37

From: Cairo, Egypt
Lives in: Jamaica, Queens
Occupation: Data Scientist
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 6 years

Are there some Egyptian musicians or songs that you could recommend to our audience?

I follow a lot of indie music rather than mainstream because mainstream is kind of commercial. I would recommend Masar Egbari and also maybe Eftekasat. Masar Egbari is more rock fusion and Eftekasat is jazz fusion.

What kind of music do you play?

I went to the Cairo Conservatory of Music and I graduated with a degree in music composition, classical composition, and conducting. I used to play in big bands here and I went to NYU Clive Davis for some time. Then due to life commitments and marriage, I had to do a career change and focus on IT and cyber security. Right now I work in cyber security.

Jon, 30

From: Bilbao, Spain
Lives in: Ridgewood, Queens
Occupation: Finance
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 2 years

Where does the Spanish community hang out here?

I go to the La Casa Vasca, which is in Greenpoint.

How do you think Spain will do this year?

There'll also be a lot of pressure on Lamine Yamal to perform. I don't think he'll have as much space as he did at the Euro to do his thing. But overall, we're one of the favorites to win it. Hopefully, we will.

What is your fondest memory of the national team?

The first time I actually felt Spanish was when Iniesta scored in the final of the World Cup against Holland, and we won the World Cup. We were at home watching the game, and then as soon as Iniesta scored, my mom ran to the fridge, got a bottle of Cava, and sprayed the house.

Mustafa, 55

From: Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria
Lives in: Astoria, Queens
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 36 years

What brought you to New York City?

I came here young to study pharmacy, but things didn't work out because I was an illegal immigrant at the beginning. In our culture, we have to take care of our family back home, so you are divided between staying and taking care of them.

What is your favorite thing about New York City?

Everything. First, I follow basketball, and I like the Knicks. You can visit many countries in one spot. I can go to the Korean neighborhood on 32nd Street, or Chinatown in Flushing or Canal Street. I can go to Italy in Brooklyn or the Bronx.

Where can you find a piece of home in New York?

Algerians are all over. They own pharmacies and there are Algerian doctors at Presbyterian Hospital. There are even women who own some of the biggest real estate companies.

Adna, 36

From: Banja Luka, Bosnia
Lives in: Manhattan
Occupation: volunteer for the BH Film Festival of New York
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 2.5 years

What do you miss about back home?

We have a type of humor you don't really find it in other cultures. You can pick things up with someone who's Bosnian, they'll just start making fun of you in a playful way, pretty much from the get-go.

Can you tell me about the Bosnian-Herzegovinian Film Festival you work for?

The festival has been around for 22 years and it is totally volunteer-run. It's a place for a lot of people from the Western Balkans because we show movies from neighboring countries that highlight the culture and the current political situation that is unfolding in the greater region.

What’s the soccer culture back home like?

This team is representing Bosnia in its full form and fashion. There's a new wave of younger players who feel they're Bosnian even though they didn't grow up in Bosnia. They choose to play for their roots. It's giving hope to the diaspora and to this linkage between the diaspora and Bosnia.

Gendrick, 18

From: Chiapas, Mexico
Lives in: Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 14 years

What's your favorite thing about New York?

The weather. It's not always hot, and it's not always cold. In the winter, you can have snow fights and build snowmen. In the summer, you go play around.

What role does soccer play in your country?

Our parents teach us how to play from the time we are born. We can play in a small space or in the streets using rocks as goalposts.

Tell me about the soccer group here.

About two years ago, everyone started coming here. As new people arrive, we add them to the group and make them feel at home, like they're in a good place to play.

What is your fondest memory of the Mexican national team?

When we scored against France in 2010. I was only a year and a half old then so I don't remember the game, but my parents showed me a video of it. Seeing everyone cheering for Mexico felt like it stayed in my heart.

Ruby, 30

From: Montréal, Canada
Lives in: Ridgewood, Queens
Occupation: Internet Ethnographer
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 5 years

What do you think makes NYC special?

In the words of Sleater-Kinney, it's not the cities, it's the people we love, you know.

What do you miss about back home?

The squeaky cheese.

Is there anything other than squeaky cheese you miss?

The sugar bush. You have a specific French Canadian Québécois meal that's multi-course and all involves maple syrup. It's the best thing in the world. Actually there's a restaurant in Bushwick, M. Wells, that does a Cabana. You go there and the room is full of Québécois people.

Sankara, 37

From: Dakar, Senegal
Lives in: The Bronx
Occupation: Soccer Shirt Retailer
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 18 years

What brought you to New York?

I came here for school after I graduated, got my bachelor's. Now I'm in the street, selling jerseys to whoever wants some Senegal jerseys. I'm the man right now for the World Cup.

How do you think Senegal will do in this tournament?

Since we are the champions of Africa, we're trying to tell everybody [that] this World Cup for sure is going to go to Senegal.

What is your fondest World Cup memory with the national team?

That was 2002 when I was younger. It was with El Hadji Diouf, Bouba Diop, Henri Camara, the old team, when they put all these great memories in our head.

Matsu, 50

From: Yokohama, Japan
Lives in: Manhattan
Occupation: Restauranteur
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 8 years

What do you think makes N.Y.C. special?

I love the energy in New York. It’s not too aggressive. It's just right. People are very kind. They're not nice, but they're very kind.

What’s your favorite part of living here?

The music. I play music at the party called The Loft. They've been doing it almost 60 years. Amazing party, the sound system and people understand the music here. They know what's going on, the people here.

What’s your fondest memory of watching the national team?

I went to Dallas last weekend to watch [the match] against the Netherlands. They got a tie, two and two. Physically, the Dutch people are a lot bigger and stronger, but mentally, the Japanese people didn't give up.

Rostam, 33

From: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Occupation: Ice Cream Truck Driver
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 4 years

What brought you to New York?

Work.

What do you like about living here?

Existence. Living in New York. Everything.

When you are watching football, and you want to say "Let's go Uzbekistan" is there a song or a dance you do?

I say "goal!"

Jenyfer, 26

From: Monsenhor Hipólito, Piauí, Brazil
Lives in: Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Occupation: Singer
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 5 years

What brought you to New York?

I came here to study. I had to get three different scholarships to sum up to my tuition, but then I got sick and I had to drop out. I'm in that phase of like, I want to [come] back to do this thing that I came here to do. Life is so unpredictable. It throws so many things at you and all you can do is try. If you can't catch it, at least you try to juggle with it and make it work a little bit.

What’s fondest memory with the Brazil national team?

It was the game where we lost to Germany — it gives me flashbacks. With each goal, everyone was losing faith, but no one left. Afterwards we were still dancing, playing, talking. That translates the feeling of being Brazilian a lot. Even in the worst situations, we still find a way to celebrate and bring back that human connection.

Susan, 24

From: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Lives in: Ridgewood, Queens
Occupation: Masters student
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 1 year

Tell me about your background.

My dad was born and raised in Riyadh, my grandparents immigrated from Guangzhou to the Dominican Republic, my mom was born there. She lived there her whole life until she went to Ohio for university and my parents met in English class in there.

What's your fondest memory of watching the national team?

The last World Cup, they beat Argentina. Everyone who knew I was Saudi was like, "This is crazy." Ever since then a lot of Saudis have been really excited for the team. The Saudi league within Saudi is also a really big deal. They're still good and the goalkeeper is amazing.

Eunjoo, 57

From: Paju, South Korea
Lives in: LIC, Queens
Occupation: Florist
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 23 years

What brought you to N.Y.C.?

My father came over first and sponsored me, so I immigrated to join him. I was a florist in Korea, but I also started selling food at the shop out of [financial] necessity.

What do you think makes N.Y.C. special?

The culture here is completely different from Korea. The best part is the freedom: you don't have to worry about what other people think. You can just do what you want, no matter your age or gender.

What’s your fondest memory of watching the national team?

I'm a Son Heung-min fan. In that first game against the Czech Republic, he didn't score, and there was a lot of talk. I think he still did his job. The Czech players are big, so our side made them run a lot, chasing Son around wore down their stamina. That's the match that sticks with me, whether or not anyone scored.

Emad, 24

From: Amman, Jordan
Lives in: Brooklyn
Occupation: Music marketer
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 5 years

What makes N.Y.C. special?

Almost everybody is open to understanding who you are and where you come from without judging. I became more "me" and comfortable in my own skin.

What's your favorite memory of watching the Jordan team play?

Even though I'm not a huge sports person, I love seeing how heated I get when Jordan is playing. Seeing me and my friends getting all riled up for Jordan is beautiful and very Arab of us. It's about having one shared vision for those 90 minutes.

Nora, 30

From: Oslo, Norway
Lives in: Chinatown, Manhattan
Occupation: Photojournalist
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 8 years

What is your favorite thing about living here? What do you think makes this place special?

People live for their work, and they're very passionate and driven by it 24/7. If I'm interested in something, I can learn from someone in New York who has way more knowledge on it.

What's the rowing about?

We used to be Vikings back in the days and we have a lot of boats. Half of our country is a coastline. We're all about the ocean and rowing and physical activities. I don't know. We're big men with beards and long hair.

Alex, 21

From: Panama City, Panama
Lives in: Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 21 years

What’s special about N.Y.C.?

You will never find another city like it. Where I grew up in the hood, everybody shows love. You go down the street and people ask how you are. New York has different vibes. It's hard to explain, but it's like it's not a real place in a positive way.

What is special about the way you guys play soccer?

If you compare us to other Central American countries, you'll see that Panama plays better. Our style is natural; the players come from the streets. Other countries play more fundamentally, but we are natural.

Francisco, 43

From: Lisbon, Portugal
Lives in: Manhattan
Occupation: Film Programmer at MoMA
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 7 years

Can you describe the football culture in Portugal?

It's a way of being together with people you love. During a match, men who don't usually talk about their feelings become very outspoken. It brings me back to childhood and the magic of winning a trophy. It is a metaphor for many things we go through as human beings.

What is your fondest memory of watching the national team play?

We had an amazing team in 1996 for the European Championship in England. I was 13 years old. We played beautiful football with players like Luis Figo and Rui Costa. We were defeated by the Czech Republic with a lob over our goalkeeper, and I remember being totally crushed. We got our revenge years later when we won the European Championship in 2016 against France.

Joerg, 57

From: Stuttgart, Germany
Lives in: Manhattan
Occupation: Climate Scientist at Columbia
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 25 years

What role does soccer play in your country?

I honestly can't say because I left Germany 25 years ago. One of the big changes is that when we left Germany you would not see a German flag, so patriotism or nationalism was not a thing, and now it's crowded with it.

Are you rooting for Germany this year?

I definitely don't want Germany winning the World Cup, because the Germans go crazy in a dangerous way. I would like to have an underdog like Morocco to win, but [they] will not.

Šárka, 27

From: Prague, Czechia
Lives in: Ridgewood, Queens
Occupation: Photographer
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 6 months

What is your favorite thing about New York?

My favorite thing about New York is the mixture of every culture. It's really a cauldron of everything.

What do you miss about the Czech Republic?

I miss nature because back home it's really close to nature. You can go to the mountains within an hour. I also miss the peace and the quietness of Prague. Even though it's a capital city, it's way more quiet than New York.

Zainab, 27

From: Doha, Qatar
Lives in: Brooklyn
Occupation: Psychiatry Resident
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 3years

Has living in N.Y.C. met your expectations?

It's not what I expected. I only had a three-month view of what life was like in New York and then I actually stayed. I've enjoyed the highs and the lows, because New York can be both.

Why aren't there many Qataris in New York?

We’re not a big population to begin with, plus the distance makes it less likely that you'll find someone here. Qataris tend to go to the U.K. to study because we have historical ties there. I know two other Qatari people in this city, I think.

What role does soccer play back home?

I didn't come from a big football family, but growing up all my friends had one of the local teams they supported. Then when the World Cup was announced in Qatar, that was huge. I remember the celebrations and the parades. As the buildup intensified, so did the interest in football. You saw more and more people playing it and talking about it. During the World Cup itself, I even picked up the football fever.

Brendan, 62

From: Jamaica, Queens
Lives in: Flushing, Queens
Occupation: Referee
Time spent in N.Y.C.: 62 years

What’s your fondest memory of watching soccer?

I saw that "Hand of God" and I couldn't believe the referee didn't call that. Apparently, the referee told the linesman, "Don't call any fouls." And that's a kiss of death. I've been in that situation. What happened was this referee was way out of position, missed an offside, and I'm getting screamed at. I was like, "Do I throw the referee under the bus?" I didn't say a word.

What is special about New York?

We are a city of immigrants. We have just about every single nationality in this city and then some. Yes, there are times when there are tensions, but this is one city. We all have to learn how to live together somehow.

Do you think anyone can come here and be a New Yorker?

Depends. Can you adapt? Get out of my way, stand on the right side. Yeah, you can come from anywhere and be a New Yorker. Some people get scared of this city.