Joy began spreading across this country the closer that FIFA came to announcing schedules and assigning tickets for World Cup Soccer games in this hemisphere. Every sport generates enthusiasm but none more so than this event.
How do you spell EMOTION? Come to North Texas and find out!
The whole swath of North Texas, not to mention fans worldwide, began drowning in anticipation at the nine FIFA games scheduled for the Metroplex, the first kicked off June 11.
How much more JOY can we endure without having a seizure?
Much depends on how deep your pockets are or if you scored a parttime gig selling popcorn in the AT&T renamed “Dallas Stadium” in Arlington. Chances are that few folks in our neighborhoods are splurging thousands in the hopes of getting a ticket to any game, but many thousands of folks are hitting Texas’ streets and airports for just that chance.
The planners and expediters, the hoteliers and restauranteurs et al, are holding their collective breaths hoping that the expected crowds actually materialize as more games are played. Will bitcoin or $250 bills start changing hands - or will Texas entrepreneurs end up eating crow?
Some 40 teams internationally are sorted into Groups A-L, and games are scheduled for 16 locations. A scorecard is badly needed to keep every country and their whereabouts sorted out, not to mention players’ names and how to pronounce them.
Two teams - Czechia and Sweden - are hosted in local cities, where fans are flocking to watch practice matches, which are free and probably more fun than the actual games.
FIFA is a really BIG deal, and believers line up with full pockets bulging with money for the chance to watch superior skilled athletes in action. Lots of cash will be changing hands in the next month. Parking spaces at two Arlington stadiums have been cited as costing $200-$500 each--really!
First, when FIFA released tickets worldwide it was like hearing DJT#47 saying, “We’ll see what happens.” Stadiums worldwide had to kowtow to FIFA’s rules about “the pitch” and if the grass being planted measured up to their expectations.
Then the ticketing division released schematics of stadium seating showing what seats in each area were “expected” to cost, but when tickets were disbursed to those lined up -- oops. No match! Haha.
The fault is not local because the ball is totally in FIFA’s control. Ticket prices for whatever seats they sent a buyer, whether it was what the fan wanted or not.
There was early anger at “not” along with over-priced parking spots. FIFA controls the game. Period. Ka-ching!
The Metroplex has already been suffering from the demise of rapid transit, and many other failures of civic leadership that likely will impact these games. I hope not, but local leadership has shot themselves in the foot frequently the last few years. Those actions radiate throughout North Texas counties.
It’s bad enough to wound your citizens and businesses that are all in on the FIFA opportunities, but mistreating all those futbol visitors will come back to bite shortsighted officials. Meltdown temperatures are what happens here in the summer, but scarce transportation will gain really bad press in coming elections.
So what, some say if they’re miles from the action taking place around the FIFA games? Lots, actually. We all could be impacted for good and bad.
Multitudes will need lots of ice in the coming weeks, but not the Federal kind that arrests anyone who appears different. The only ice needed here is in a cooler full of drinks. And county jails are almost filled up besides.
We should all do our part and “Make Nice” if you encounter a visiting stranger who stands out in a crowd of cowboy hats. That might be a soccer fan who has traveled thousands of miles for the joy of cheering on their country’s team. Their enthusiasm is boosting our local economy for a few weeks, and for that we should be grateful - and helpful - if someone looks lost or needs assistance.
FIFA futbol - or soccer to Americans - - is far superior to this non-athletic female than the pigskin kind played here.
But I discovered soccer by denying my young sons the fun of YMCA football because they weren’t big enough. I wouldn’t sign the forms for them to get squashed on the gridiron, but soccer was the answer.
When the renowned Pele came to play a game on the SMU field, I couldn’t buy those family tickets fast enough! Watching Pele play was a thrill for everyone sitting in that stadium. And I’ve been hooked ever since. Joy!
Overall, eager soccer fans are willing so everyone’s hopeful they’re also “able” to pay the piper. Fingers are crossed that the nine World Cup games in the
Metroplex will be the tooth fairy needed to help the thousands of workers and helpers needed to keep visitors safe, players healthy and fans happy. Everyone needs economic help.
The games run until July 17. Better catch one on TV!
Shelly has worn more hats in the communications field than Carter had pills but forgot to retire when she closed her promotions business. She earned a BA in Journalism at NTSU (before it became UNT) and has never lost her love of words.