Algeria Picks Lawrence as World Cup Base, Drawing Weeks of New Visitors
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 4
Algeria Picks Lawrence as World Cup Base, Drawing Weeks of New Visitors
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 4
Summary
Lawrence, Kansas, saw a notable recent influx of Algerian visitors after Algeria’s national team chose the city as its World Cup headquarters.
The team’s presence quickly spilled into local life: the University of Kansas marching band played Algeria’s anthem, police escorted players on motorcycles, and shops reported strong demand for Algerian shirts.
That burst of soccer fervor has briefly eclipsed the city’s regular Sunday protests over the Iran war, Gaza, the White House and ICE, giving residents what one shop owner called a “lovely” distraction.
In a politically tense U.S. backdrop, the episode shows how the World Cup’s “beautiful game” is temporarily redirecting attention and civic energy in at least one American college town.