Why the World Cup matters to us

1:19>> [music]

1:30>> So, the World Cup means a lot to the both of us. We were just at the Iran versus Belgium game at Los Angeles Stadium. >> Los Angeles Stadium. >> In Inglewood. Um the game ended in a 0-0 draw. It was still pretty sick nonetheless. The Iran goalie did an amazing job. >> The stadium was crazy. The energy There's a huge I think the second the largest Iranian population outside of Iran is in Los Angeles. There was a lot of a lot of energy in the stadium. >> And I mean, the World Cup means a lot because I grew up in India, and in India, like or in any really developing nation, World Cup means you you stop what you're doing and you watch all the games. We

2:12used to root for either Argentina or Brazil. A lot of Brazil fans in India um against whoever was playing. Um Argentina because I think a lot of my parents' generation grew up with watching Maradona when in like '86 against England and everyone's like, "Yeah." >> [laughter] >> So So it's you know, I grew up watching it and then to to to actually see a game live, it was it was also unbelievable. >> I mean, for me, my my family's a soccer family. I've played soccer my whole life. You know, I mean, the '94 World Cup, I was I was four. You know, I have those faint memories of like, you know, my dad's, you know, in his post-doc program, there was a bunch of Brazilians,

2:52and you know, I played when I was young. My little brother plays professionally in the US currently. And so as someone who is, you know, been in the national team pool, I was in the Olympic development program when I was younger. I I wanted to play for the men's national team. I didn't make it. I wasn't good enough. But the idea that, you know, especially in this World Cup hosted at home, um to see the progression of the US men's national team. Quick shout-out to the US women's national team, which is four-time World Cup winner. And so we we do have great football heritage in this country. >> Um we've just not seen that translate into the the men's game yet. I mean, it's just a such an emotional thing to see um it finally get its just desserts and not

3:34being called a foot fairy anymore. >> Yeah, and we're doing quite well. >> You know, so far so good. >> So far, I think we are topping our group. Um and you know, we're going to I think we're going to win it all, but you know, we'll we'll see what happens. >> We'll see.