LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Juan Cortez raised the U.S. and Mexican flags outside his Los Angeles repair shop to celebrate the FIFA World Cup being brought to Southern California for the first time in 32 years.
Despite his love for the game and the tournament, Cortés will not attend any World Cup games in the soccer-mad metropolis, where eight games will be held, including Friday’s U.S. opener against Paraguay, a few miles from where he works.
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Exorbitant ticket prices put World Cup matches out of reach for die-hard fans like Cortes, who are content to watch the games on a screen instead.
“I wish they could help us, so people like us, who are crazy about the game and passionate about our team, could go and watch our idols play,” Cortes told Al Jazeera as cars whizzed by on the busy road in front of him, two flags behind him.
“It’s not every day you get to watch the World Cup in your own country.”
Tickets for the home team’s opener were still available on resale platforms less than 12 hours after kickoff.
Despite the heartache, the Mexican-American fan was overjoyed to be able to watch the game up close and was thrilled to see the Paraguayan team’s bus drive past his store.
“It’s exciting every four years. We know that Mexico can advance higher than they did in the last World Cup, and if they don’t advance, we know that the United States will be right behind them,” he said.
As World Cup fever grips Los Angeles, excitement for the tournament is gradually rising over controversies surrounding the tournament, including over travel and immigration policies implemented by President Donald Trump’s administration.
World Cup memories are everywhere in America’s second-largest city. From bars to skateboard shops to tattoo parlors, local businesses proudly fly the team’s flag.
“class thing”
Cheers could be heard throughout the Venice Beach area west of Los Angeles as South Korea faced the Czech Republic in the second leg of the tournament in Mexico late Thursday, and fans flocked to bars late into the night to watch the match.
Dozens of proud fans walked around wearing Mexico’s distinctive green soccer shirts as Mexico defeated South Africa in the tournament’s opening game in Mexico City earlier in the day.
Among them is Francisco Aguilar, a soccer fan from Texas who is visiting Los Angeles but has not been able to get tickets to any of the games.
Aguilar said it was unfortunate that tournament organizers prioritized profits instead of making the game available to its most passionate fans.
“I’m just sad that I can’t go. It’s a class issue,” he told Al Jazeera.
Aguilar’s disappointment did not dampen his expectations for the tournament and the magical on-field action, especially as he hopes to see Spain’s young superstar Lamine Yamal play in a World Cup for the first time.
Aguilar also expects Mexico to do well in their home tournament. His prediction for the final is a repeat of the 2022 final between Argentina and France, calling it a “revenge” match for Kylian Mbappé’s side.
Beyond ticket prices, visa and travel issues in the U.S. have dampened the tournament’s enjoyment somewhat, fans and activists say.
Last week, U.S. authorities refused entry to Omar Altan, a Somali referee who was scheduled to officiate some games.
Iraqi player Aymen Hussein was detained for nearly seven hours after arriving in Chicago earlier this month before being allowed to enter the country.
Additionally, fans around the world have reported being denied US visas.
In March, amid the outbreak of war with Iran, President Trump said it was “not appropriate” for Iran to participate in the World Cup and suggested they should leave the team for “their own lives and safety.”
The Iranians then based themselves in Mexico instead of the United States, where all group stage matches will be played.
In an unusual arrangement, Team Melli, who begin their tour against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, will travel to the United States just for the match and return to their base camp south of the border.
Concerns about ICE
Another concern for some rights advocates is the possibility of attacks on migrants in and around stadiums.
The Trump administration has not ruled out bringing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) into the game.
Lisa Walker, an activist with the advocacy group Venice Resistance, held up a soccer ball and a sign that read “ICE OUT” during a small protest on Friday.
Walker said people are “very concerned” about ICE raids during the convention.
She also criticized the Trump administration’s travel ban.
Walker told Al Jazeera, emphasizing the international nature of the event: “I see no reason why we should ban people during the World Cup. After all, this is the World Cup.”
“That’s just fascism. I hope this shines a light on what we’re experiencing here in America. I think most people around the world are probably already seeing it. I hope we can make some changes here soon.”
Jan Wilkinson, a British fan from London, said she had no problem coming to the United States for the World Cup, but it was “not good” for the country to turn away people like referee Artan.
Still, Wilkinson praised the excitement of the U.S. event. “Right now it’s been really busy, really buzzing, great atmosphere,” he said.
Politics aside, can England, with the talent at their disposal, break the curse of stumbling close to the finish line in major competitions?
Mr. Wilkinson seemed confident.
“It’s coming. We’ve been saying that for 60 years, and this year it’s coming back,” he told Al Jazeera.
