'There's a World Cup happening?' Are Americans excited about the tournament?

There were wild celebrations throughout New York City, some fans standing on their cars on the streets of Manhattan, while thousands of miles away in Santa Monica roars could be heard from bars that lined the beach.

But this wasn’t for a World Cup game. This was for the New York Knicks as they staged a stunning comeback on Wednesday – the greatest in NBA Finals history – to beat the San Antonio Spurs.

It served as a reminder of what global football’s most prestigious tournament is up against in the USA as the country’s national team prepares to kick off against Paraguay.

Football – or soccer – does not hold the same level of love as sports such as basketball and American football in the USA and a recent poll has suggested half of Americans surveyed do not care about the tournament.

After a build-up dogged by political issues and expensive tickets, just how excited are people in the country for it?

‘I don’t care about anything other than the Knicks’

New York Knicks fans took over New York to celebrate their win against San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night [AFP via Getty Images]

This is the second time the USA has been a World Cup host of the men’s tournament, having last done so in 1994.

That tournament had a significant and lasting impact on the football culture in the country, boosting its popularity and paving the way for the creation of Major League Soccer.

But fast forward more than three decades to the present day and excitement for the return of the World Cup on American soil does not yet appear to have really taken off.

In New York, there is evidence if you look closely that this monster tournament is about to begin.

There are subway trains decked out in national team colours. Lionel Messi’s face appears on a giant billboard in Times Square and there are fans walking around the Big Apple in the shirts of Morocco and Brazil, who meet on Saturday in the first of eight World Cup matches at the MetLife Stadium – rebranded New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament.

But it is basketball – not football – that New Yorkers are besotted with right now.

The New York Knicks lead in the NBA Finals 3-1 against San Antonio Spurs and will clinch the the national championship for the first time since 1973 if they win on Saturday when the teams next meet.

“You’ve seen Batman, right? You’ve seen Gotham, right? Man, Saturday night is probably going to be like that if the Knicks win,” one fan told BBC Sport.

“To be honest I haven’t really kept up with anything about the World Cup. I don’t care about anything other than the Knicks.”

Frank, another fan, added: “I’ve been concentrating on my Knicks but once it’s over I will definitely turn my focus to the World Cup.

“It’s just that the Knicks have taken over everything right now in New York.”

Another, wearing a royal blue and orange Knicks shirt, said: “I’m going to be honest. I don’t know much about soccer.”

‘Excitement a slow build that is leading to a frothy frenzy

Inter Miami and Argentina star Lionel Messi features in much of the World Cup promotion in the USA [AFP via Getty Images]

Inter Miami and Argentina star Lionel Messi features in much of the World Cup promotion in the USA [AFP via Getty Images]

Over in Los Angeles – where hosts USA will play two of their three group games – it has been a similar story with regards to promotion of the World Cup.

There are banners on the streets coming out of Los Angeles Airport promoting ‘LA26’ and the tournament, while electronic billboards rotate the various members of the USA squad and a large mural in downtown LA features Argentina legend Lionel Messi. Some convenience stores also sell World Cup-related merchandise.

However, for non-football fans it would be quite easy to be oblivious to the fact that the tournament is about to get under way.

One taxi driver transporting BBC World Service colleagues expressed their surprise that such an event was set to begin, saying “There’s a World Cup happening? Who’s playing?”

But for organisers the expectation is the excitement will grow as the tournament goes on.

“I think we have had a slow build that is leading to a frothy frenzy,” says Larry Freedman, co-chairman of the Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee.

“It has been such a long time coming and with so many other sports and activities in LA people have been thinking about what they will do tomorrow, not two or three years out.

“But now we are on the eve of it kicking off people are getting very, very excited. We have a very diverse community here and people from all over the world who will have teams participating in this tournament.”

For the fans, there is certainly more excitement among them for being in the city where their country will play their games, even if they aren’t necessarily die-hard football supporters.

In Santa Monica, Isaiah and Husna – both from Sacramento County – were looking forward to experiencing the tournament.

“I’m pretty excited,” Isaiah told BBC Sport.

“I’ve never actually watched the World Cup but I will watch it this year.

“I think it will be exciting because it is here in LA now and LA is where it is at. It will be something different.”

Husna added: “Many people don’t know what the World Cup is here, but now it is in LA and this is a big popular place they will know about it and watch it.”

Both, however, admitted they were unaware of who the USA faced in their opening game.

The younger generation of Americans BBC Sport spoke to – ones who did not experience the tournament when it was last held in the USA back in 1994 – certainly seemed to be excited for the World Cup.

One such fan, Mahon, said: “We have watch parties set up so we are very excited for it.

“We do have a few friends who are not really into soccer but we are trying to get into them that we are Team USA – country pride.

“I think it has surpassed baseball in popularity here, but I don’t think it will get as big as American football or basketball.

“People will get into it.”

‘I don’t think anyone knows a World Cup is on’

Scotland return to the World Cup for the first time in almost 30 years and their fans have been arriving in Boston this week excited to witness their return to this level of football.

Their first game is against Haiti, but some of the Tartan Army have arrived to be greeted by Americans who are oblivious to the reason they are here.

“I went and posted a letter from America 10 minutes ago and the girl asked me what I was doing here and asked if I was on holiday,” one Scotland fan told BBC Sport Scotland.

“I had a Scotland top. She didn’t even know the World Cup is on.”

Another supporter added: “The pubs are brilliant but I don’t think anyone knows that there is a World Cup on.”

Home fans priced out, but success could have lasting impact

One of the biggest issues for fans both native to America and from abroad has been ticket prices.

In the days before the USA’s opener there were still tickets available for the game. But with the cheapest going for $1,120 (£836), that was pricing many fans – particularly families – out.

In downtown LA, family of four Chris, Angie, Layla and Lauren said they were thrilled to have World Cup football in their home area.

“We have two girls in club soccer so we are very much fans,” said Chris.

“Unfortunately we will watch at home. The ticket prices and availability are a whole other subject.”

“If it was more affordable for families we would definitely go and check it out,” says Brennan, who was with wife Erica and children Stephanie and Marcel.

“Despite that we will still be excited and watch it from home.”

How well the USA national team do at this tournament will also play its role in building spectator interest – the longer they stay in it, the more the support is likely to build.

That support has certainly increased as USA’s opener has approached and earlier this week, a 30 minute training session saw 30,000 fans register their interest for the 5,000 tickets available.

Different methods have been employed to try and reach out to a different audience and recently USA international Malik Tillman featured on the cover of a fashion magazine wearing a hat that resembled an elongated mushroom.

“It’s been sent around the group chat a few times … there’s some questionable pictures!” USA and Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards said.

Fellow centre-back Mark McKenzie added: “Ultimately it’s about exposure. I’m always up for expressing ourselves in different ways.”

If such methods work and a different audience is reached then that, coupled with a strong run by the USA at this World Cup, could have a lasting and changing impact on the sport in America, as it did back in 1994.

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