The World Cup on the doorstep. Volunteers share their stories

FIFA has inflated the World Cup with even more participating nations, even more matches across three countries, and commercialised drink breaks. Allegations of corruption and exorbitant prices for tickets, drinks and transport are weighing heavily on football fans. Above all, however, political tensions are overshadowing the actual game itself. US President Trump has been openly exploiting this major event for a long time. At the same time, the social and political fault lines within the country are laid bare.

The ARSP’s partner organisation HIAS (Hebrew Immigration Aid Society), which advises and supports immigrants in the US, warned – along with a number of other NGOs in the run-up to the World Cup – that the immigration enforcement agency ICE might carry out its highly controversial raids specifically at public viewing events, as it suspects there will be a particularly high number of migrants there. It is taking part in training sessions to ensure that fan festivals in host cities such as Philadelphia can be held safely. This is because, in the US, soccer is more of a niche sport compared to the major American sports such as American football, baseball or basketball; however, it is booming, particularly amongst girls and young women, as well as traditionally within the large Latin American and African American communities. Consequently, there is considerable concern that the notorious raids – involving arbitrary arrests and often illegal deportations under inhumane conditions – could occur here.

However, or perhaps precisely because of this, many football-mad communities deliberately celebrate in public. The numerous World Cup events blend in with the celebrations for Independence Day on 4 July. Every year, alongside official ceremonies, this day is celebrated above all as a folk festival with street parties, barbecues and fireworks. While the US administration under President Trump is preparing a pompous spectacle, there are many events taking place across the country – some folksy, others deliberately critical – which also grapple with the darker sides of US history.

Meanwhile, despite all the difficulties with entry and extortionate prices, fans from all over the world are flocking to the World Cup. Unlike at some tournaments in Europe, the vast majority of fan festivals are very peaceful, and many fans are celebrating together. ARSP volunteers Nadja (from Chicago), Nell (from New York City), Fabiana, Hanneli and Tom experienced many open and curious reactions at a World Cup festival in Philadelphia.

Nadja, who volunteers with the Cradles to Crayons charity in Chicago, said: “Unlike in Chicago, there’s a real World Cup atmosphere in ‘Philly’. There’s a pretty big public viewing festival here, and some matches are also being played at the Eagles’ stadium. That’s why the city’s full of fans. Outside the Art Museum, we also met lots of Ecuador fans who had gathered ahead of their match against the Ivory Coast. We were asked several times to pose for a group photo and had lovely chats with people from many different countries. At least in some cities, I get the feeling that the World Cup is bringing people a bit closer together at the moment.”

In Chicago, meanwhile – where no World Cup matches are taking place, but Germany and the USA are playing a friendly – volunteers unexpectedly bumped into the German World Cup squad by Lake Michigan: Karl, who volunteers at the Jewish care home Selfhelp Home, reports: “Nadja and I bumped into Julian Nagelsmann and the players by chance in the city centre! Generally speaking, I don’t get the impression that a great many people in Chicago are interested in the World Cup – perhaps partly because no matches are being played in the city. I think one reason many people aren’t interested in the World Cup is, of course, that football isn’t generally very popular in the US, and another is that FIFA is criticised for its political stances. In Philadelphia and the other host cities, however, things are probably quite different.”

In the US, around 20 volunteers are currently involved in several cities on the East Coast and in the Midwest: from Boston via New York City, Philadelphia and Camden to the tranquil Innisfree Village in Crozet, Virginia, as well as in Chicago and Cleveland, Ohio. They support Jewish older people and people with disabilities, and are involved in museums, NGOs and various social initiatives.

Until the end of June, last-minute applicants can still apply to become ARSP volunteers for vacancies in several countries.

Matteo Schürenberg, head of public relations