Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium hosted five group-stage matches for the FIFA World Cup, and I had the pleasure of attending two of them with my father. 

Being able to experience the biggest sporting event in the world with the person who got me into football meant the world to me. I’m very grateful to have had him with me, and to my mother, who hunted down the tickets for us.

We arrived at Lick Mill station on Tuesday, squeezed into a San José VTA light-rail car like sardines in a can while my dad played the Argentina opening match on his phone for anyone willing to watch. 

Our first match was Austria versus Jordan. 

It was Jordan’s first World Cup match ever. The stadium and city were flooded with proud Jordanians looking to see their country make history. 

On the other side, Austria hadn’t qualified for the World Cup since 1998 and provided an intimidating team with elite players who were a treat to see live.

Although Austria won 3-1, Jordan’s sole goal by forward Ali Olwan was a monumental win of its own.

I was ecstatic hearing the stadium erupt in jubilation and seeing Jordanians celebrate their nation’s first-ever World Cup goal.  

For the Austria versus Jordan game, I sat next to a very friendly fan who became quick friends with me and my dad, along with another group who drove from Mexico to watch the game and sat in front of us. 

Between midgame analysis and passionate debates of Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo, the man explained that he wanted to bring his son to the game with him, but he didn’t because his son wasn’t interested in the two sides.

He said it warmed his heart to see me share this experience with my own father.

As we left the stadium, there were sounds of DJ Ötzi’s “Hey Baby” as Austrians partied just outside the gates. If we weren’t in such a rush to get home, I would have relished a quick drink with the victors.

As my father and I were waiting for our ride back home, we talked to a police officer who was directing traffic at the station who explained that he wanted to bring his own father to watch Ghana play. 

The pricing of the tickets, however, made it a hard sell for his dad.

On the way back in a significantly less-packed light rail, we spoke with a father and son from Fremont of German-Austrian descent.

The little boy could confidently rattle off players from generations before he was born, surprisingly referencing Franz Beckenbauer when talking about Germany’s past World Cup success.

After recovering from our long day out, our second match was the following Friday between Turkey and Paraguay. 

Despite some troubles with FIFA’s ticket transfer system, we made it through, which was the most relieved I’ve felt in a long time.

To celebrate the conquering of FIFA’s ticketing, we helped ourselves to all the free FanZone merchandise available before heading to our seats.

This match in particular I was very eager to see because both nations needed a win to avoid getting eliminated from the World Cup.

Turkish fans were out in full force, beating drums and nearly shutting down the street by parading.

Perhaps it was just my seating, being in the Turkish supporter section, but it felt like Levi’s Stadium ran overwhelmingly red with the star and crescent. 

Chants of “Türkiye!” echoed during the 90 minute game, and one fan even cursed the referee in Spanish, drawing laughs from those around our section.

Unfortunately, the Turkish supporters were met with a stunning opening goal by Paraguay just two minutes in. 

Despite controlling the majority of the game, and even getting Paraguay player Miguel Almirón sent off, Turkey’s elimination from the World Cup was confirmed at the final whistle.

What became abundantly clear throughout my experience is that this tournament is more about the fans than it is the football.

In an event that showcases 48 different countries, the community is what shines through more than the flashy goals.

As much as the World Cup is about seeing which international superstars can triumph over the others, it’s also about a community stretching every part of the globe who are just there to watch a schoolyard game.

Looking back at it all, it went by so quickly.

The roars of the crowd and the emotions felt fleeting, and now I am back in the silence of my home alone instead of packed between passionate football fans.

Only one phrase remains in my head: There is nothing quite like a World Cup.