KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Fans from Austria and Algeria gathered Saturday at FIFA Fan Festival at the National World War One Museum and Memorial in Kansas City for the World Cup match between the two countries.
Lines to enter the event stretched from the south lawn of the museum to Union Station earlier in the day. By evening, the venue was filled with families, road-trippers and fans who said they bought tickets before they knew which teams would be playing.
Fans made personal connections to the match
Christoph Dexel, who lives in Austria, said the trip was about more than the final score.
“It’s not only about a soccer game — it’s about a whole experience. Look at this, this is awesome,” Dexel said.
Fans traveled from Austria, Algeria and across the U.S. to celebrate the match day in Kansas City.(KCTV)
Fans traveled from Austria, Algeria and across the U.S. to celebrate the match day in Kansas City.(KCTV)
Buch Berger, also from Austria, said he was drawn to the scale of the American experience.
“I like the American style, the big things, everything is so big. I like it. I like it. Because Austria is not that big,” Berger said. Berger said he also visited a country bar to listen to country music.
Kamel Abouda flew in from Santa Fe, New Mexico, but is originally from Algeria. He said supporting his home country on the World Cup stage was something he felt compelled to do in person.
“That’s the least thing I could do for my country — to support them on the world stage here in the U.S.,” Abouda said.
Iowa fans made the trip to Kansas City
Chris Perdue drove down from Des Moines cheering for Austria, citing a family friendship that began when his mother traveled to Austria as a teenager.
“We entered as many raffles as we possibly could to try to get some tickets. And these are the ones we won. And we have a connection with Austria,” Perdue said.
Fans traveled from Austria, Algeria and across the U.S. to celebrate the match day in Kansas City.(KCTV)
Fans traveled from Austria, Algeria and across the U.S. to celebrate the match day in Kansas City.(KCTV)
Rick Stewart made the trip from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He said he bought tickets before knowing the matchup and chose his side once the teams were announced.
“We got tickets to the game. When we bought them, we didn’t have the slightest idea who we were going to see. But once we found out, we became fans,” Stewart said.
Both men attended Fan Festival before heading to the match with family.
Organizers said the longest lines were expected in the hours before kickoff.
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