These past couple of weeks have been filled with non stop fun, watch parties, celebrations and so much more all thanks to the FIFA World Cup. As someone who doesn’t watch soccer that much as I honestly should, one thing I noticed is how many girls truly went out to the watch parties to be apart of the festivities.
Although I was obviously expecting to see a couple of girls, what I didn’t expect is to see as many girls as I actually did not only where I went but also on social media. Everyone really rallying around the soccer games but most especially & obviously rallying for the Mexico team. Growing up, for me personally I honestly did see soccer as a sport mainly for men. But as I grew older & by the time I got to high school, it was truly refreshing & inspiring to see women & girls my age putting as much passion into soccer like the boys & men do for the sport they love.
Personally, I have only ever been to one soccer match ever. But I did truly enjoy it for the fact that it really does feel like an adrenaline rush even right at your seat. Watching the players go back & forth non stop is something I truly like about the game because it continuously keeps you on your toes because you never know what’s going to happen next. Things can happen last minute in a literal blink of an eye.
I fortunately had the opportunity to ask Nataly Reyes & Stephanie Reyes a few questions on what this years FIFA World Cup meant to them. The following are Nataly’s answers.
Were you already a fan of soccer before the World Cup? If not what made you want to watch?
I’ve always been introduced into soccer since my dad avidly watches the Mexico league but I will say I am more interested during important matches such as the world cup rather than watching every single game in a regular season.
What team are or were you rooting for?
I was rooting for team Mexico because both my parents were born there and I feel more of a connection to Mexico than the USA right now because of the political climate.
As a female viewer, how did it feel seeing more girls coming out and rally for the soccer games?
I feel like it made the whole experience fun because i had a blast getting ready doing my hair doing the ribbons and it felt fun being a girl in a sport fan base that is predominately men I feel like not everything has to be so tense and serious.
Have you enjoyed watching the games why or why not?
I really enjoyed watching the games because it felt like such a community and everyone anywhere had this one thing in common and it showed that peace and cultures around the whole world can happen.
What has been your favorite part of the entire thing so far?
My favorite part of the entire thing so far has been rooting and repping Mexico so proudly because especially right now in our country, Mexicans have been suffering and dealing with so much I felt happy seeing everyone celebrate our wins and feel so connected without worry.
Would you go to a World Cup game in the future & where would be your dream location for a match & dream teams playing?
This World Cup was probably my future location for a match I can’t imagine what it felt like to watch Mexico play in the Azteca stadium. The prices seems too high but if i had the means I would have definitely been there.
The following are Stephanie’s answers.
What team are or were you rooting for?
I was originally rooting for Mexico but then they lost so I was then rooting for Norway but then they also lost •cries• so now I’m just rooting for whoever can beat Argentina!
What has been your favorite part about watching the games?
I think my favorite part about watching the games has been the day drinking and seeing how hard people go for their countries.
As a female viewer, how did it feel seeing more girls coming out and rally for the soccer games?
Honestly it was super cool seeing girls come up with the cutests outfits for the WC, I think it added to girlhood.
Did you already have a big love for soccer or did it grow or begin while watching the World Cup and what did watching this one mean to you?
I grew up watching soccer, so watching this WC wasn’t anything out of the ordinary but I think it was cool to see that Mexico made it out of the group stage.
Would you ever go to the World Cup in the future why or why not?
If I could afford going to a Mexico game I would 100000% go because I know it would be so much fun.
What would be your dream World Cup match & location?
I don’t think I have a dream World Cup match but I would love to travel to a different country in another continent to watch soccer, it would be a cool story to tell to my future kids.
After receiving their answers I was truly more in awe at how much girls genuinely have a love for soccer just as much as the men do. Yes there are obviously several many female soccer teams that have just about the same passion as the men, but seeing the love women have at a personal level is really a whole different experience. Seeing women going out to the games & watch parties and watching so attentively as the ball is being kicked back & forth and celebrating together as a goal is made is what girlhood is really truly about.
Have YOU been keeping up with the World Cup? What team were or are you going for? What has been your favorite game so far? Let me know in the comments below ♡
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