The Irvine Great Park’s giant air balloon sported a red, white and blue covering Monday morning as thousands of fans at the park’s Championship Soccer Stadium made clear their loyal enthusiasm.
Read more NYC imposes stringent security as Trump becomes 1st sitting US president to attend NBA Finals game
“USA! USA! USA!”
Ahead of the US Men’s National Soccer Team’s June 12 opening World Cup match against Paraguay in Inglewood, the team has established base camp in Irvine and, for a day, fans who won a ticket lottery were offered a seat to view a morning training session.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11, with 48 teams and 104 matches being played across the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the largest tournament in World Cup history.
Juan Reyes commuted an hour and a half from San Diego to bring his son, Adrian, 13, to watch his favorite team train.
The duo donned team colors and sat front-row on the pitch-side.
Alejandro Zendejas signs autographs after the U.S. Men’s National Team practice on Monday, June 8, 2026 in Irvine at the Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium in preperation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Antonee Robinson balances a ball on his head at the end of practice on Monday, June 8, 2026 in Irvine at the Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium in preperation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Miles Robinson, center, runs drills during the U.S. Men’s National Team practice on Monday, June 8, 2026 in Irvine at the Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium in preperation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Martha Gray, right, cheers for the U.S. Men’s National Team as they practice on Monday, June 8, 2026 in Irvine at the Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium in preperation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Ever since San Diego got a professional team, we began watching soccer a lot more. So when Team USA came around, we couldn’t wait to get up here,” Reyes said.
“I hope the U.S. national team goes far and makes it into the championship rounds; let’s see what happens,” he said.
His son, Adrian, with a smile and eyes glued to the field, put his excitement succinctly: “We’re stoked!”
“I’m a big fan,” Anaheim resident Samantha Sanchez said of the team she showed up to support. “But I also played soccer growing up my whole life, so just love of the game for sure.”
Read more Vance adds a chicken coop to the vice president’s residence, along with a dozen baby chicks
Sanchez wants to see the team practice “rainbows,” she said — “basically a move where they put the ball in between their feet and they flick it up over their head.”
But she joked she wasn’t picky.
” I just want to see some cool moves,” she said. “I want to see what they’re going to do in the World Cup.”
Joanna Chen Ancelat said she’s been a fan of the national team since 2010, but being a host country with games played just to the north of her Orange County home, she’s even more excited for the World Cup.
“It’s exciting. It’s something to look forward to, where we could all unite and support our team,” she said.
As the players practiced Monday, the fans cheered them on, vying to catch stray balls that headed toward the stands.
Once their morning training wrapped up, some of the players went around and gave autographs.
“I think they’re taking it pretty easy today. They had a game (Saturday) and, playing against Germany, I’m sure that wasn’t easy,” Ancelat said of the friendly match played in Chicago. It was a tough match, she said, but lost 1-2 it must have boosted the players confidence.
Read more Bravo to women making a different, students stepping up to help, a school being recognized
“So it gave us some hope,” she said, “that they’ll move pretty far.”