International, KC fans react to FIFA Fan Fest’s grand opening: ‘Electrifying’
On its opening day, the FIFA Fan Festival brought together soccer fans from the Kansas City area and across the world.
The free festival will be on the lawn of the National World War I Memorial until July 11. It will be open on specific days: June 11-16, June 19-21, June 24-27, July 3-5 and July 9-11.
The fan experience will have live game screenings, performances by Tech N9ne, the Chainsmokers and more, and food vendors. Although free, attendees are required to register for a ticket in advance.
The festival Thursday had a family-friendly vibe, with everyone taking pictures and enjoying time together, said Maria Botchatcher. Originally from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, she’s been living in the Kansas City area for 32 years.
She flew out her mother to enjoy the experience, she said.
“It’s been very different. I haven’t been to any event like this, so I’m excited to be around this many people,” said Gyselle Hernandez. “It’s been really fun.”
As a KC native, she didn’t think the city would have the number of visitors she’s seen so far.
“I didn’t think that Kansas would grow into anything bigger. … I didn’t think this many people would come to Kansas, and it being recognized as what it is.”
The energy of the festival was “exciting, electrifying,” said Cheryl Watters, an England fan who was repping Mexico for the day.
She’s been to one World Cup already: the 1994 games in Chicago and Dallas. She was looking forward to welcoming relatives from England on the night of Fan Fest’s grand opening.
“I do feel they’ve done a wonderful job of accommodating so many people here in Kansas City,” she said. “I feel very safe here.”
The first World Cup match, Mexico versus South Africa, was shown at the festival, bringing out Mexico fans in droves and the occasional South Africa fan.
“I feel like I’m in Mexico right now,” said Karina Torres after seeing the sea of green, red and white jerseys at Fan Fest. “It feels good, and it feels nice to see other people rooting for their country, too.”
Mexico won against South Africa 2-0, scoring once in each half. At one point, fans had even bigger hopes.
“We’re winning. I’m hoping for the score to be like 4-0. It sounds kind of crazy, but I think we can do it,” said Angel Vazquez, a fan from Puebla, Mexico.
Vasquez traveled to the United States for the Argentina versus Algeria game on Tuesday, June 16.
“I’m trying to see Argentina, but I came days before just to see the whole nation,” he said. “You always dream about it. You’re trying to get to U.S.A., but now, to be here is like, OK, cool, but not like a hometown, but it’s cool.”
For local soccer fans, witnessing the World War I Memorial — a monument that’s been in their city all their lives — become the “heart of the game” was exciting to see.
“It’s been so cool to see the city transform,” Ben Ogutu said. “I’ve always been a soccer fan my entire life, so when I heard that the World Cup was coming to the U.S., I was excited to see that we were getting games here, to see the culture and everyone in Kansas City come together and make this happen for us.”
Being at Fan Fest made him feel at home; seeing other people share his same passion for the game made his heart happy, he said.
Entertainment before the game was provided by musical duo Sin Tope, and Making Movies, a Latin Grammy-nominated band created in Kansas City in 2009, followed the game.