The Communal Joy of the FIFA World Cup for Immigrant Communities

The author, the daughter of Egyptian immigrants, reflects on the profound communal joy that the FIFA World Cup brings to immigrant communities. She recounts a personal memory from 2010 when Egypt played in the Africa Cup of Nations finals against Ghana. As a high school junior, she skipped SAT prep to join friends on Steinway Street in Queens, New York, where the neighborhood transformed into a vibrant celebration with flags, hookah cafes, and Arabic music. The victory created a rare moment of unity and visibility for immigrants who often feel like outsiders. In 2026, with the World Cup ongoing, she now watches with her baby, noting both the continuity and changes: immigrants are still portrayed as threats, and gentrification threatens working-class communities. Yet, these gatherings offer a safe space for communal joy, nostalgia relief, and a sense of home away from home, allowing immigrants to momentarily feel free and centered.