The World Cup begins this week, with New York and New Jersey as host regions. Queens, known for its diverse immigrant communities, is a hub for soccer culture and excitement surrounding the tournament.
Key points
World Cup kicks off this week in New York and New Jersey
1.2 million visitors expected in the area
Queens is a hub for soccer culture
7 train connects diverse immigrant communities
Flushing Meadows hosts recreational league soccer matches
Mentioned in this story
QueensNew YorkNew Jersey
World Cup
Members of the Fuego FC play against Strong Blood FC on field 5 in Flushing Meadows Corona Park as commotion from echoes off the multiple fields hosting adult recreational league soccer matches in Queens, New York, U.S., on Sunday, June 7, 2026. CREDIT: José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR, @josealvarado
Members of the Fuego FC play against Strong Blood FC on field 5 in Flushing Meadows Corona Park as commotion from echoes off the multiple fields hosting adult recreational league soccer matches in Queens, New York, U.S., on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
The World Cup kicks off this week withNew York and New Jerseyamong the 11 U.S. host regions for the tournament's 39 day run. Some1.2 million visitorsare expected to flock to the area. But ask New Yorkers about soccer, and you'll likely be pointed in the direction of Queens, where soccer is more than a sport. It's a way of life.
Cutting through Queens is the 7 train, also known as "the International Express." Every stop passes through a different immigrant enclave, each with a unique relationship to the beautiful game. NPR spent a recent Sunday traveling along the 7 line, talking to local players and fans. We started at the Flushing Meadows stop, a sprawling green park filled with soccer fields.
QUEENS, New York - It is early morning and the heat is already oppressive. While watching his team play from the sidelines, Coach Guillermo Andrade explains how soccer saved his life.
Q&A
What is the significance of the 7 train in Queens for World Cup fans?
The 7 train, known as 'the International Express,' connects various immigrant communities in Queens, each with a unique connection to soccer.
How many visitors are expected in New York and New Jersey during the World Cup?
Approximately 1.2 million visitors are expected to visit New York and New Jersey during the World Cup's 39-day run.
What role does soccer play in the lives of people in Queens?
In Queens, soccer is more than just a sport; it is considered a way of life for many residents, reflecting the area's diverse culture.
Where can I find soccer matches in Queens during the World Cup?
Soccer matches can be found at various fields in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which hosts adult recreational league games.
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Guillermo Andrade, Head Coach of the Peruvian American Soccer, stands for a portrait as his team play against Galaxy FC on field 5 in Flushing Meadows Corona Park as commotion from echoes off the multiple fields hosting adult recreational league soccer matches in Queens, New York, U.S., on Sunday, June 7, 2026. CREDIT: José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR, @josealvarado
Guillermo Andrade, Head Coach of the Peruvian American Soccer, stands for a portrait as his team plays against Galaxy FC on field 5 in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York, on June 7.
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
Back in Peru, Andrade was a physical education teacher. He says the country was being rocked by corruption and violence, and he saw many of his students leave. He eventually did the same, picking up 25 years ago and coming to New York City.
"My first job was handing out flyers on the street in Manhattan. It was winter, it was cold, the kind that makes it so you can't even take your hand out of your gloves," he said. "I would ask myself: 'What am I even doing here?' "
On one of those winter days, his sister encouraged him to go check out the soccer games in Queens. He took the 7 line. When he got to the fields there, he heard, **"**Coach? Coach Guille? Is that you?"
Some of his former students from back in Peru were calling to him.
Andrade started coming to the fields in Queens every Saturday and Sunday.
Members of the Peruvian American Soccer play against Galaxy FC on field 5 in Flushing Meadows Corona Park as commotion from echoes off the multiple fields hosting adult recreational league soccer matches in Queens, New York, U.S., on Sunday, June 7, 2026. CREDIT: José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR, @josealvarado
Members of the Peruvian American Soccer play against Galaxy FC in Flushing Meadows on June 7.
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
Guillermo Andrade, Head Coach of the Peruvian American Soccer, stands for a portrait as his team play against Galaxy FC on field 5 in Flushing Meadows Corona Park as commotion from echoes off the multiple fields hosting adult recreational league soccer matches in Queens, New York, U.S., on Sunday, June 7, 2026. CREDIT: José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR, @josealvarado
Guillermo Andrade, head coach of the Peruvian American Soccer, 'felt dead' before he found his soccer community in Queens.
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
"Five days a week, I felt dead," he said. "On weekends, out on these fields, I would come back to life."
These days, Andrade works full time as a coach. He's excited to see the World Cup matches, especially Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who may be playing his last cup. But he won't be going to the nearby stadium just 20 miles away; with the cheapest tickets at about $1,000 a piece, Andrade, like most peoplein this working class community, can't afford to go in person. Like others, he'll be watching on TV.
Andrade also predicts many soccer lovers in the area will stay home out of caution. Queens has been a target of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown; some of his own players have been swept up in raids.
In places like Corona Station, a Mexican enclave further down the 7 line, there is a lot of trepidation and anger about the U.S. government's tactics against immigrants, many of whom are devoted to the tournament.
"I think it's hypocritical," said a street vendor named Elodia, who asked that her last name be withheld out of fear of being targeted by ICE agents.
These days she's selling Mexican soccer jerseys. She excited to see Mexico play in the World Cup, but says it's bittersweet amid the Trump administration's treatment of people from other nations living in the U.S.
"The U.S. is going to make a lot of money off this," Elodia says. "And meanwhile, we're being treated like animals."
Eloidia, center, sell various Mexico themed items and soccer jerseys at Corona Plaza as residents navigate the bustling plaza in Queens, New York, U.S., on Sunday, June 7, 2026. CREDIT: José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR, @josealvarado
Eloidia, center, sell various Mexico themed items and soccer jerseys at Corona Plaza as residents navigate the bustling plaza in Queens, New York, June 7.
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
ICE officials say they aren't planning enforcement activity at World Cup matches. But Elodia said many immigrants will be too scared to come out and watch.
Despite the anxiety, there is a great deal of soccer joy here.
Further down the 7 line are South American neighborhoods. Near the 90th street-Elmhurst station, dozens stand in the shade trading Panini stickers of World Cup players to paste in collectable booklets.
Among them is 13-year-old Juan David Iza, a die hard Ecuador fan.
He's just bought a plate of salchipapas (pan fried hot dogs with french fries), and two Panini sticker packets. He opens them, and to his disappointment, none of them are the ones he needs. But then his luck turns: The second packet has a sticker of South Korean captain, Son Heung-min!
Juan David Iza, center-right, and his mother Lida Iza, right, pose for a portrait with their family along Roosevelt Avenue and 99 Street, as residents navigate the bustling avenue in Queens, New York, U.S., on Sunday, June 7, 2026. CREDIT: José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR, @josealvarado
Juan David Iza, center-right, and his mother Lida Iza, right, pose for a portrait with their family along Roosevelt Avenue and 99 Street.
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
Juan David Iza, opens a sticker pack of Panini World Cup players along Roosevelt Avenue and 98 Street, as residents navigate the bustling avenue in Queens, New York, U.S., on Sunday, June 7, 2026. CREDIT: José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR, @josealvarado
Juan David Iza, opens a sticker packet of Panini World Cup players along Roosevelt Avenue and 98 Street in Queens.
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
A couple of blocks down, away from the ruckus of the Panini collectors, is Little Argentina.
Sitting under a giant mural of reigning champion Lionel Messi, wearing his Argentina soccer jersey, Angel Ojeda says he thinks Argentina has a chance to win the World Cup a second time in a row.
Only two teams have ever won back to back World Cups: Italy in the 1930's and Brazil in the 60s. Betting sites tend to put this year's odds in favor of France and Spain. Ojeda scoffs.
"We're gonna be double champions," Ojeda says. "I have no doubts. I could be wrong. But no, I don't think I am."
Rio De La Plata Bakery Shop at 94-65 Corona Avenue welcomes customers of the neighborhood and plays Argentinian national soccer matches in Queens, New York, U.S., on Sunday, June 7, 2026. CREDIT: José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR, @josealvarado
Rio De La Plata Bakery Shop on Corona Avenue welcomes customers of the neighborhood and plays Argentinian national soccer matches in Queens.
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
Miguel Angel Ojeda, sits for a portrait outside of Rio De La Plata Bakery Shop at 94-65 Corona Avenue in Queens, New York, U.S., on Sunday, June 7, 2026. CREDIT: José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR, @josealvarado
Miguel Angel Ojeda, sits for a portrait outside of Rio De La Plata Bakery Shop in Queens, New York, on June 7.
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
A few more stops along on the 7 train, in Little Bangladesh, there is one man who might agree with him.
Shipud Costa works in customer service at La Guardia airport in Queens. Bangladesh did not qualify for the Cup, but Costa has one dream: that Argentina front man Messi flies into La Guardia one day.
As commotion fills the air of Diversity Plaza, MD Islam displays popular jerseys within the community for potential customers in Queens, New York, U.S., on Sunday, June 7, 2026. CREDIT: José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR, @josealvarado
As commotion fills the air of Diversity Plaza, MD Islam displays popular jerseys customers in Queens.
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
As commotion fills the air of Diversity Plaza, Gloria Rozario, left, Wilson Costa, center, and Shipu D. Costa, right, stand for a portrait outside of Diversity Plaza on 74 Street in Queens, New York, U.S., on Sunday, June 7, 2026. CREDIT: José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR, @josealvarado
Gloria Rozario, left, Wilson Costa, center, and Shipu D. Costa, right, stand for a portrait outside of Diversity Plaza on 74 Street in Queens.
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
When that happens, Costa knows exactly what he's going to do.
"First I'll run and hug him. I have to. I'll break all the security," he jokes.
But if Messi does fly into La Guardia, he has some advice.
"You wanna take the Q70 bus, it's free for you, Messi. Transfer to the 7 line. Welcome to Queens."
Residents navigate the bustling Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, New York, U.S., on Sunday, June 7, 2026. CREDIT: José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR, @josealvarado
Members of the Fuego FC play against Strong Blood FC on field 5 in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, near fields hosting adult recreational league soccer matches in Queens, New York, U.S., June 7.
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
