Ludmiła Mituła
Dallas, Texas
I have a few favorite places in the city where I watch the World Cup. But the fan zone in Frisco is my favorite.
Frisco Fan Zone — My Favorite
The Dallas Cowboys — an American football legend — train here daily. That football with the oval ball, which in Texas has grown almost to the status of a religion. For the duration of the World Cup, this place has transformed into a soccer island. You come with a blanket, friends, and a good mood. You sit on the grass under the Texas sky, and in front of you, on a huge screen, the world’s biggest sporting spectacle unfolds.
The atmosphere? Family-friendly. Joyful. Safe. So much so that even people who don’t usually care about soccer get swept up in the emotions.
Klyde Warren Park: Dallas in White and Blue
My second favorite place is Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas. I often come here for Messi and the Argentina fans. The last few days in Dallas have been white and blue. Argentina’s matches at the stadium in Arlington attract thousands of fans to Texas. People are going wild in Messi jerseys, and they watch the games not only at the stadium but also in parks and fan zones. And Klyde Warren Park is probably their main attraction.
Here, it’s easy for employees from nearby offices to step out for a break to follow the match on the big screens. The atmosphere is always amazing — despite the brutal heat and high humidity in Dallas. People shield themselves from the sun with umbrellas and seek refuge in the shade. There are warnings everywhere about the heat and recommendations for hydration.
Argentina, Messi, and the Memory of Dad
I always root for the Polish national team, no matter what country I live in. But I also love watching Argentina and Messi. I got that from my dad, who loved this team with great passion. It all started with Diego Maradona. I remember watching matches intently as a child, when we weren’t allowed to leave the TV or misbehave.
I remember my dad’s stories about how the best soccer players in the world aren’t always tall — just look at Maradona or Messi. Maybe he said that because he himself played soccer in his youth and wasn’t tall. It’s a shame he can no longer watch this World Cup and that I can’t tell him about the emotions I’m experiencing in Dallas today.
Why Dallas is one of the most important cities of this World Cup
It is here, at the stadium in Arlington, that as many as nine matches will be played — more than in any other host city. The semi-final will also take place here. Dallas is also one of the main centers for organization, media, and broadcasting throughout the tournament.
And only one thing hurts a little — that Poland isn’t here. Because if our players had qualified for the World Cup, their base would have been Dallas, a few minutes from my home. White and red flags on the streets. Crowds of Polish fans. Journalists from Poland are broadcasting live reports. Familiar voices, emotions, and Poland are suddenly present in the middle of Texas. It didn’t work out this time. But it must work out in the future.
The World Meets in Dallas
And yet, I love this moment. Because during the World Cup, Dallas gives an extraordinary feeling that the world has come to the city where I live. That I don’t have to fly anywhere to be at the center of events. And that’s what I love about living in America.
One day I’m drinking coffee in my neighborhood, and the next I’m sitting in a fan zone next to people from Argentina, Colombia, Croatia, England, Mexico, or Japan. For a moment, the whole world meets here. In Dallas.
