DORAL, FLA. (WSVN) - The FIFA fever is here in South Florida.
Fans made their way to Doral Central Park for the World Cup Final draw, Friday afternoon. The ones who were already there, seen wearing the colors of their favorite national teams, had their eyes glued to the screen.
Some wore Miami pride gear, but all hoped their teams would get lucky this year, as the FIFA World Cup draw was broadcast from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
That’s where they learned the world’s nations group stage fates.
This was an important moment for Miami because, as a host city, it got to see firsthand how culture and competition collide.
Fans who spoke with 7News were ecstatic and ready.
“Come on, man! We’re Argentina! What are you talking about? Argentina, we’re going for the fourth cup!” one FIFA fan told 7News.
“We’re going for Switzerland and for Haiti!” one woman said at the watch party.
“Super excited! I’m so happy to be here. I can’t wait to see where Ecuador lands. Hopefully, like easy teams, but you never know. But either way, we’re looking good, so I’m rooting for them,” another excited fan told 7News.
The atmosphere at the park turned electric as results for each grouping were announced.
“We’re so excited because I think we’re in a good group,” said one happy Colombia fan.
“I think we’re in a good, competitive group,” said another fan.
One fan waving a Haitian flag shared his optimism for the country’s national team.
“Everything is about Haiti right about now,” he said. “We have it in our hearts, we have it in our mind.”
With each of the groups now locked in, fans eagerly start counting down the days for the first matches, with dreams of making it all the way.
“Is Brazil going all the way?” 7News’ Jessica Vallejo asked a Brazil fan.
“Yes, obviously yes. They’re going all the way, all the way,” she said.
Officials say the energy on display during the draw ceremony watch party is just a taste of what fans in Miami will bring when they get the chance to play host to some of next year’s games.
“So much exciting [stuff]. We’re not the hottest city in America, we’re the hottest city in the world. Everybody wants to be here,” said Rodney Barreto, the Chairman of the FIFA Miami Host Committee.
The first match is on June 11 in Mexico. From there, dozens of countries will battle it out until the final match which will take place on July 19.
The Hard Rock Stadium will host seven matches, with the first one happening on June 15 and the last one on July 18 for the Bronze Medal Final.
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