SEATTLE – For years, Seattle prepared for this moment.
On Monday, the city finally took center stage at the FIFA World Cup.
Before a ball was kicked, the energy was impossible to miss. Belgium and its nationally beloved team, the Red Devils, transformed the usually blue-and-green streets of SoDo and Pioneer Square into a sea of red.
Fans packed bars, restaurants and gathering spaces throughout the neighborhood, singing, chanting and celebrating hours before kickoff.
“The city is wonderful,” said Belgian visitor Wim Celen. “We brought the good weather as well. It’s nice. It’s good to see all the Belgians around us. Thanks for welcoming us.”
Belgium may be known for waffles, frites and beer, but many supporters appeared happy to begin enjoying the latter well before lunchtime. Leading one of the largest fan marches was a supporter known simply as “Obelgix,” who helped rally hundreds of traveling fans through Seattle’s streets.
“Best city I’ve stayed in,” he said while praising the Pioneer Square area. “People are great. It’s a great start to the World Cup.”
Many visitors are spending multiple nights in the region, with Belgium’s national team training nearby in Renton. Local tourism and hospitality leaders have long hoped the tournament would deliver this kind of international economic boost.
Belgian fans weren’t the only ones creating memories. Egyptian supporters also filled the area around Lumen Field, posing for photos and celebrating their team’s return to the world’s biggest soccer tournament.
Among them was Bothell resident John Girgus, who brought his extended Egyptian American family to the match.
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“We’ve been here since 8 o’clock,” Girgus said. “We weren’t messing around.”
The family purchased 10 tickets for the game.
“Egypt hasn’t been in the World Cup for a while,” Girgus added. “We love that they’re here in our part of the world, in the beautiful Seattle area.”
Getting inside wasn’t necessarily easy.
With portions of the stadium campus fenced off and controlled entry points in place, lines stretched along Occidental Avenue and South King Street as thousands of fans made their way through security checkpoints.
Police officers, security personnel, and surveillance cameras maintained a visible presence throughout the area as crowds flowed toward the stadium.
The extensive security measures reflected years of planning by local, state, and federal agencies, preparing for one of the largest sporting events ever hosted in Seattle.
Yet for many fans, the wait was worth it.
“This is amazing,” Girgus said. “This is once in a lifetime.”
The opening scenes offered a glimpse of what Seattle can expect throughout the tournament: international visitors, packed streets, passionate supporters, and an atmosphere unlike anything the city typically experiences.
The joy, pageantry, and intensity on display Wednesday were likely only a preview.
The energy is expected to rise even further later this week when the United States and Australia take the field in Seattle, bringing even more fans – and even more national pride – to the city.For Seattle, the celebration years in the making has finally arrived.
ट्विटर पर साझा करें: Seattle shines as World Cup arrives after years of planning
