Arizona soccer fans celebrate FIFA World Cup kickoff ahead of Team USA match

TEMPE, Ariz. - Soccer fans are heading out Friday evening to catch the match between the USA and Paraguay, which starts at 6 p.m. But things kicked off at noon between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which ended in a draw.

What they're saying:

People become soccer fans for all different reasons.

"We’re here to support our Bosnian team," said Mirsad Hatic and Frankie, soccer fans from Bosnia watching the match at Ojos Locos Cantina.

"My family's from Ecuador, so catching any game I can," said Miguel Abad, a soccer fan watching Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Tempe Eats Food Hall.

But for a little over five weeks, the FIFA World Cup will bring them together.

"It’s like every four years, it’s not every year," said Elyse, an 11-year-old soccer player watching the match at Tempe Eats.

Hatic and his friend Frankie immigrated to the U.S. in the 1990s.

"We emigrated from Bosnia. I immigrated in 1997," Hatic said.

Dig deeper:

They say their native country’s match up against Canada on Friday brought out a lot of pride.

"It means a lot, you know, it means a lot. You know, people get to see kind of where, you know, where we came from and stuff like that, and see our flag, our name out there," Hatic said.

Elyse likes seeing how the pros do it on the big screen.

"It's fun that I'm playing soccer at the same time that they are," Elyse said.

Abad, who grew up playing the sport, noted no matter who is on the field, he is enjoying the atmosphere and seeing the sport being celebrated so largely here in the U.S.

"It's pretty special to see all these cultures come together," Abad said. "It's definitely grown a lot. And now that it's on our own turf, really validating."

Tempe Eats is giving specials and discounts to anyone sporting their favorite team’s jersey, so be sure to represent if you come out to one of their free viewing parties.

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