World Cup fever is gradually spreading across the United States, according to reporters covering the tournament. While the shift is not yet dramatic, local news shows have begun dedicating segments to soccer, and major sports talk shows are leading with World Cup topics. Reporters Alexander Abnos, Pablo Maurer and Jeff Rueter noted that some pundits lack deep knowledge of the game, but the increased coverage is partly driven by the US men's national team's strong group-stage performance.
The spontaneous singing of 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' by fans after the USA's win over Australia has become a viral moment. Jeff Rueter explained that the scene, with captain Christian Pulisic and teammates joining in, is likely to be repeated at other venues. FIFA asked teams to submit post-game playlists; the US chose 'Livin' On A Prayer', 'Sweet Caroline', and 'Country Roads'. A former US Soccer employee now at FIFA made the final call on the latter, a decision widely praised.
On the new rule penalising players who cover their mouths when speaking to opponents, Pablo Maurer argued that the rule is subjective but necessary. He noted that covering one's mouth often indicates inappropriate language, and hate speech has been a persistent issue in football. The rule aims to address this, though consistency in application remains a challenge.
Looking ahead, the Portugal-Colombia match is highlighted as a potential highlight of the group stage. Alex Abnos described it as a game circled on the calendar from the start, with the Miami atmosphere expected to elevate the occasion. However, he wished more than knockout seeding was at stake.
