MOSE LAKE — The FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 with host countries the United States, Canada and Mexico ready to stage the biggest event in sports. Billions will be watching worldwide and attending the many stadiums in North America’s cities staging the games – Seattle being one of them. The Columbia Basin Herald asked community members about their interest in the tournament and their predictions of a champion. 

As one would expect, the Mexican American fans locally expressed the greatest interest and fervor for the tournament.  Rafael Torres spoke while bowling at Tin Pin in Moses Lake. He was visiting the area from Yakima for vacation.  

Torres is an avid fan of the Mexico team and is hopeful they will make it into the second round. Though rooting for Mexico, Torres favors Brazil to win the championship.

“The Mexico team always carries a good team, but it always seems like a disappointing World Cup, because we can never get past that hump,” he said. “As for the World Cup in general being held in the United States, I'm very proud, I’m an American citizen. I love the fact that all the Americas are involved in this World Cup, from Canada, U.S., Mexico, all the way down to South America.” 

He said he planned on getting two tickets to a game in Seattle, but the cost was too high. So, he’ll be watching the matches on TV. 

“I saw the prices and that kind of detoured me a little bit,” he said.  

Jorge Torro, from Moses Lake, was heading into the Ten Pin bowling alley with his two children. He said he’s a soccer enthusiast and coached four years as an assistant soccer coach for Moses Lake High School and coached ten years for a soccer club.  

He expressed his excitement for the World Cup, particularly rooting for Mexico, which he believes has a strong chance of winning the first group round, especially with home-field advantage. 

“I think they have a good chance of making it to the knockout stage,” he said, “especially since they're playing at home. This is the third time they've hosted a World Cup, so I'm pretty excited about that. It'll be hard for them, but every single time that they've hosted the World Cup, they've always made it past the fourth game.” 

Torro said he’s excited the World Cup is being staged in North America.  

“It’s a great opportunity for North America, because also Canada's hosting it too,” he said. “It's a great opportunity for us. It's going to be hard on the players, having 48 teams that are going to be playing in it, it's going to be something cool. This time is going to be the first time where it's going to be over a month (long), so I'm pretty excited about it.” 

When asked why he thought it would be hard on the players, he cited Iran as an example.  

“Iran is staying in Tijuana and then flying into the U.S. every game,” Torro said. “They have a couple of games in LA, and a game in Seattle. It's difficult for them to be able to travel and then having to play a game.” 

As for his prediction of the champion, he has a few takes.  

“I think Spain probably has a pretty good chance of winning it, or Portugal. Those are my two favorite teams to take it, other than Mexico, obviously, I'm going to be rooting for them,” Torro said.  

He plans to go to Seattle to catch one of the games but hasn’t seen anything local for large gatherings.  

“I know there's a couple of places in Tri Cities that are making a big deal about it. I haven't seen anywhere here in Moses Lake. Nobody has posted anything about having a World Cup party,” he said. 

Solomon Ulyanchuk, originally from Ukraine, but now lives in Moses Lake and works as a real estate agent spoke at Mason’s Place, a local coffee shop. He’s not a big soccer fan, but his curiosity about the pageantry of the tournament has caught his attention.  

“Now that it's here in the United States, it probably aligns with our time schedules and everything. It should be something we should watch,” Ulyanchuk said. 

He’s seen live soccer games and appreciates watching the games in person, but he also expressed apprehension in purchasing a ticket to watch a game in Seattle due to the expensive price of tickets, which can cost a thousand dollars or more per ticket.  

“I don't think I've splurged more than $200 for a ticket, so I'm assuming this would be pretty expensive, probably in the thousands for a ticket, so I wouldn't pay. I don't think I can afford it,” he said. 

Isamel Ortiz is a waiter at Inca Mexican Restaurant in Moses Lake and ardent fan of the Mexico team. Born in Mexico and now a U.S. citizen, he is rooting for both teams.  

“I think Mexico is going to win,” Ortiz said. “We have to play South Korea; that's a hard team. USA is playing very good, the same or maybe better than the Mexico team. I saw them play two or three times their last games.” 

As for watching the games, Ortiz said he has Sundays off but will record the games to watch in the evening when he comes home from work. His predictions for the favorites to win the championship, he chose Portugal, Spain, Argentina and Croatia. 

Eddie Navaro, who was waiting in his car at an espresso stand, said he’s rooting for Mexico being of Mexican heritage and says he loves soccer. He’s hopeful Mexico will have a successful run in the World Cup.  

“Hopefully, I know they always have issues playing Brazil and the U.S., but I think we got a pretty strong team,” Navaro said.  

He plans to hold a party to watch the game. He says he’ll watch every Mexico game by streaming them but plans to see a game in person.  

“I might buy a ticket in Seattle online. If I can afford then I’ll probably go,” he said.  

His top price to pay for a ticket would be $1,500 but if Mexico plays in Seattle, he’ll pay it for sure. 

The World Cup begins Thursday with Group A teams Mexico playing South Africa and the Republic of Korea vs. Czechia. The U.S. takes on Paraguay in Group D on Friday.