Even if you don’t enjoy soccer, the FIFA World Cup is the perfect time to learn about the sport and enjoy other cultures.
With the USA hosting the event for the first time since 1994, many international fans traveled to America for the World Cup, creating an incredible atmosphere. Barstool Sports founder and NFL analyst Dave Portnoy has caught World Cup fever for the first time in his life, and he now understands why it is one of the greatest sporting events in the world.
World Cup Traveling Parties Won Over Dave Portnoy
On Tuesday, Portnoy released a video on his X account speaking about his newfound fascination with the World Cup. In a five-minute video, Portnoy talked about his experience watching fans of the Scotland national team (the Tartan Army) and how it has turned him into a World Cup fan despite the fact that he’s “not a soccer guy.”
“Yes, I want the USA to win, but watching all these foreign countries, all their fans, there’s like 20,000 Scots in Boston right now, and they’re all exploring the United States. They’re having the times of their lives. They’re singing, they’re dancing, ‘Scotland on fire!’ I have become caught up in World Cup mania,” Portnoy said.
He reiterated his desire for the USA to win the World Cup, but he admitted that he is more invested in some of the international teams given what he’s seen from their fans, so he can’t help but root for them, too.
“People have like saved up, I guess, for years to do these trips. I have World Cup fever,” Portnoy said. “I don’t necessarily have ‘USA soccer World Cup fever.’ I have Scotland, Norway, Netherlands, Japan World Cup fever, watching them just have the time of their lives.”
SIMULATE THE WORLD CUP: PFN’s FREE FIFA World Cup Simulator
Portnoy has said that it has been amazing to watch so many international fans from various countries experience America for the first time. Scotland, in particular, has won over Portnoy since their Tartan Army has taken over his hometown of Boston.
Scotland’s next match will be against Morocco on Friday, with a tie likely guaranteeing that Scotland will advance to the next round due to the new World Cup format after the 48-team expansion.
The game will be played at Gillette Stadium, home of the Portnoy’s New England Patriots. Scotland won its first match against Haiti, while Morocco held Brazil to a 1-1 draw.
The World Cup is one of the most popular sporting events in the world, so it’s easy to see why Portnoy is getting swept up in the excitement.
