International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino warned Los Angeles (LA) on Tuesday that it was about to be invaded by soccer fans from around the world, as he helped launch World Cup festivities at a star-studded kickoff party at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Speaking ahead of this week’s opening matches, Infantino said the city would become a global gathering point during the 48-team tournament, which begins in Mexico City on Thursday before Los Angeles hosts the first United States (US) match on Friday.
“You will be invaded,” Infantino told the crowd. “You will be invaded by a horde of barbarians. But it’s happy barbarians, don’t worry.”
The event drew entertainment and sports figures, including actors Will Ferrell and Brendan Hunt, singer Lance Bass, former National Basketball Association player Robert Horry, and US soccer greats Mia Hamm and Cobi Jones.
Infantino said the tournament would turn LA and other host cities into a sea of national colors as fans of all ages arrive in jerseys, flags and face paint.
“Men, women, children, grandparents, doesn’t matter, they will all have their faces colored with the colors of their countries,” he said.
–Reuters–
