In Queens, World Cup fans welcome the 'beautiful game' : NPR

Key Points:

• The 2022 World Cup is starting with New York and New Jersey as key U.S. host regions, expecting around 1.2 million visitors, with Queens, NYC, highlighted as a vibrant soccer hub reflecting its diverse immigrant communities.
• Coach Guillermo Andrade, a Peruvian immigrant, credits soccer with saving his life amid hardship and now coaches full-time in Queens, though many local fans, including him, cannot afford the high ticket prices to attend matches in person.
• Immigration enforcement concerns persist in Queens, especially in immigrant-heavy neighborhoods like Corona, where fear of ICE raids may keep many from attending public World Cup events despite their passion for the sport.
• Soccer culture thrives along the 7 train corridor in Queens, where residents from Latin American and South Asian communities share enthusiasm for the tournament, trading memorabilia and expressing strong support for teams like Argentina and Ecuador.
• Local fans harbor dreams of global soccer icons visiting Queens, symbolizing the area's deep connection to the sport and its role as a cultural melting pot for immigrant communities.