World Cups? Family Feuds!

When speaking of the FIFA World Cups  the first thing that pops into my head are watching the soccer games with my family growing up. Coming from a Mexican background, soccer was a huge part of my life. There never fails to be soccer games during the week on television during week or at least one discussion a day about which team is playing against who, and who was going to be the winner. A simple conversation criticizing a player's move could end up in an aggressive argument ending with "tu no sabes nada" (you don't know what you're talking about). When the World Cup comes around the corner, these discussions will go on nonstop for about six weeks: beginning two weeks before, during and after the tournament.

Due to my Mexican background, there was always a sense pride whenever Mexico won a game, a huge party-like celebration happened during and after the game. The most anticipated game of he whole tournament was always the Mexico vs USA game. This game was super controversial due to the big question "Who are you rooting for?!" There was a huge sense of betrayal, almost guilt, if one answered "USA". This decision has a lot to do with the pride that was held due to not only the U.S's performance, but the importance given to the sport as well. Soccer, as learned in class, has nowhere near the importance or the respect that any other sport has. Football, baseball and even basketball is almost a way of life, of which soccer has no part of. In other parts of the world soccer is a lifestyle to be respected, in Mexico the most popular sport on the street just happens to be soccer. As an example of how intensely this sport is dug into the Mexican lifestyle, during home games in Mexico City's Estadio Azteca,  not only is the stadium filled to its capacity but the whole city is paralyzed and a city-wide party takes place, somewhat like when any Chicago team wins a championship but many times worse.

The upcoming FIFA World Cup is to be held in Brazil, a long anticipated tournament in which every four years every country unites to the sweet sounds of a ball being kicked across the field and a stadium roars with excitement.