July 1, 2026 • 40 mins
This is the World Cup episode through a Locatora lens, bringing the sociopolitical analysis to your feed. Diosa and Mala are discussing the fashion, the fandom, and the very real politics at play. Las Locatoras talk about how migration is shaping this beloved game when almost a quarter of the players in this tournament represent a country they weren't born in.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
So there's a lot to talk about with regards to
the World Cup, FIFA and how migration is shaping soccer
and the national teams of participating countries. So the twenty
twenty six FIFA Men's World Cup has by far the
highest proportion ever of players representing countries they were not
born in almost a quarter of all the participating players.
(00:23):
So a country's national team is no longer just a
reflection of the population inside of their imagined borders. It's
become actually a reflection of migration and history. FIFA now
allows players to pick the team they play on based
on ethnic origin and national origin.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
So I think what this means.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Right, if you have an American who was born in
a different country but they live in the United States,
of course they can play for the US team, or
they could play for their home country where they.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Were born or where their parents are from.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
I'm Deosa and I'm Mala.
Speaker 4 (01:05):
You're listening to a new capitol of radio today.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
We're talking about a global event that's taking place right
here in our backyard, the World Cup.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
I can't believe it.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
This is the first time in World Cup history where
the host countries are actually three countries so we have Mexico,
Canada and the US.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
It's a really fun time. LA is just alive.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Not only is it summer in LA, but the World
Cup is happening. It feels like the whole world is
in Los Angeles and everybody's in celebration mode. Everybody is
out in the streets and at watch parties and at games.
It's just like a really exciting time to be in La.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Oh. Absolutely, And today we are talking about the World
Cup in a very specific lok way as we do.
This is not a sports play by play episode because
that would not be on brand for us. What we
are going to talk about today is the politics at large,
culture within Latin America, the diaspora and everything that that encompasses,
(02:06):
and what we're seeing here in Los Angeles.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
This is very much a classic analytical socio political yes
sort of look at take on things. And we want
to start with our own observations and experiences right of
our participation in the World Cup, are viewing and how
we're breaking down everything happening around us.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Yeah, this is such an exciting time because the World Cup,
well just soccer in general is something I've never talked
about on the podcast. But I come from a soccer family,
Like my dad played soccer in Bidu. All my primos
played soccer growing up. They are still in leagues now
and we have watched parties all the time on my
proving side specifically, and because there's been a lot of
(02:50):
like you know, my proving side marrying like Colombians, there's
always like Beru Gondra Columbia games and we're like all
watching them together. So soccer is a very big part
of my pru inside and with my dad just like
watching games with him. We'd watch the World Cup together
growing up, Lacopa America, the whole thing. And then Fernando,
(03:10):
my partner, is also a soccer player, and he plays
soccer weekly. He watches games all the time, and so
people have been asking me like, well, are you watching
the games, and I'm like, by proxy, yes, Like Fernando
will be like working from home and the game is
on in the background. I can hear him from the
bedroom like screaming because someone like Mettiongo And so it's
(03:32):
very much like taken over the house and taken over La,
and that feels has been such a like energizing feeling
for me.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
That's so fun.
Speaker 4 (03:40):
Yeah, how about you.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Well, I have loved all the activations and the pop
ups and the fashion and like the events surrounding the
World Cup. I don't come from a soccer family. I
never played soccer growing up. I don't like contact sport
me either, Like I only played sports if there was
a net or a lane separating us, you know, like
where if there's contact, it's a foul and every ones
in trouble, Like if that's me, So it's it's for me.
(04:04):
It's just the event of it all.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
And I had a really fabulous time at this World
Cup fashion show called Moda Mundial that took place at
Nativo Highland Park and this was a collaborative event between
Nativo and Mithu and it.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Was just what it sounds like.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
It's a fashion show around World Cup and soccer aesthetics.
And if you have spent any time on Instagram or
gone to any of the watch parties, if you've been
on TikTok around like World Cup time, you've probably seen
that the Latinas in particular are serving looks like soccer couture.
And this was on full display at Nativo at the
(04:45):
Moda Mundial fashion show.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
So there were a.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Number of indie like local Latino Latina led brands and
fashion houses whose original like works were on display. So
Bo Roses Espasio eighteen thirty nine who we Loveeta, Nueva
Vida and me Vida all had their original collections both
(05:11):
like for sale and also on the runway. And shout
out Guarrisa Hernandez, who was on a past episode of
lokataa Radio. She's the owner of Nativo and this was
her event and it was just glamorous and fabulous. And
we don't always think of sports and jerseys as chic,
but these brands and these artists and these models and
(05:32):
all these fans have certainly made soccer extremely cautore and cheek.
So that's been really fun. You and I covered the
Mexico Korea game at Benny Boy Brewing and this was
part of the r GOLBA Watch Party series. That was
a fabulous time. We interviewed a bunch of Mexico fans,
a couple of Korea fans. There weren't a ton in attendance,
(05:53):
so if you check out our insta at Lokata Underscore
Radio you can see those interviews and again the looks
that people were sporting.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
This is the first time, in my opinion, that I've noticed, right,
I don't, I'm not that deep into fashion history, but
this is the first time that I've really seen the
soccer jerseys in particular, like really be reworked in these
very like fashion forward, like practically couture ways. And I
(06:23):
really do think, you know, it's the Latina like fashion houses,
like the Latino Latino brands and like gen Z that
are really bringing like this new style to the jerseys
because I've you know, just always seen the soccer jerseys
as they're kind of oversized, you know, you try to
make them as cute as possible, but like they're going
(06:44):
to be boxy.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
But to see like the.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Way they've been reworked, the way they've been personalized, has
been one of my favorite things about this World Cup
in particular.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Oh absolutely.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
And you know Nico at Espasio eighteen thirty nine has
been reworking and reimagining jerseys for many many years now,
Yes he has, and one of his jerseys.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Famously, uh recently recently.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Was purchased and worn and big upped by Nick Jonas.
Nick Jonas bought an Espasio eighteen thirty nine original Mexico
soccer jersey and wore it and made a whole TikTok
around it. Yeah, so go check them out. Barian Boyle
Heights on First Street. That is actually the first place,
the first studio location where we recorded at Espasio eighteen
(07:29):
thirty nine. So just an iconic place for us, for
la and now for soccer fashion.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
And I was just talking about this the other day,
and I know we're going to talk later about like
the joy of it all, but I was just talking
about how it's been really great to see Nico and
Mayra and Espostio like really get their flowers because you're
so right, like Nico has been. He's been making these
political statements on jerseys for quite some time, and he's
actually been silk screening and silk printing for a lot longer. Yeah,
(07:59):
And so to see him like get his due, to
see Espasio and Mara like get the shine, get so
much coverage, have so many people sporting the jerseys has
been really cool. I was at a watch party recently
and then I saw someone walk in with a jersey
that Nico made because and I knew it was his
because in the back it's at guam Lambidia and I
was like, yeah, that's that's Nico's jersey.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
So that's been really fun to see as well.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Yeah, so that for me, that's what I've enjoyed the most.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
And then like Brenda la Latina when she came on
Look at Ora a couple episodes episodes ago, she was
also wearing a jersey and she put a corset over it.
She's been making like or commissioning her friend who's a designer,
to make corsets made out of soccer balls and ye,
so yeah, I agree with you, Like the Latinas are
killing it and I'm so proud of us.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
I'm so proud of us.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
It's cool.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
It is cool.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
And speaking of which, I want to do a quick
plug because if you're listening to us right now on
your usual podcast listening apps like Apple Pod or Spotify,
thank you so much much for supporting. But I also
want to note that you can finally watch us full
length video. You can watch us in the studio right
(09:09):
now if you download the iHeartRadio app. The full length
episode is exclusively available on iHeart and you can see
the outfits that we're wearing today because we are dressed
in theme.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Yes we are, MA tell me what you're wearing.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
I am wearing a Mexico jersey. This is from Guadalajada.
My partner went to go see the Columbia Congo game
and he got me a jersey. It's my first jersey.
I've never had a soccer jersey before. So now I
really feel like I'm in.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
A part of it. I'm part of it. I'm part
of it.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
And how about you tell us about what you're wearing.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
So I am wearing it's a little baby tea. It's
from a Latino brand that I'm so sorry for forgetting
the name, but it's just it just has Bitu on
it and it has.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
A little flag. It's red and white.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
And the reason that I'm wearing this today is because
Bidu did not make the World Cup. They did not
qualify and they actually have not qualified in Russia twenty eighteen,
and in twenty eighteen that was their first return to
the World Cup after a thirty six year absence. And
so I'm just repping Petu because I knew like Mala
(10:12):
was gonna wear well, I will hope you were gonna
wear Mehico, and you did. We actually didn't talk about
our looks, but like serendipitously, we were on theme. We
were on brand per usual, and that's why I'm repping.
And I was also inspired by Barney and Isis because
they are both Central American and they are both wearing
I saw the online that they were both wearing jerseys.
(10:33):
Barney from La you know, his Edlisata or didn't make
it either, So I'm like, I'm gonna I'm gonna commit
to that too. I'm gonna rep it oo because we
didn't make it. But Betu is like, there's like just
a really big, obviously soccer culture in South America and
Latin America. So that's why I'm wearing that today.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
It's the World Cup.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
It is the World Cup.
Speaker 5 (10:51):
The whole world is participating, Yes, and there's so much
to talk about, in particular about this World Cup because
this is the.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
First time that forty eight nations and teams are competing.
This is the biggest it's ever been. And there are
a couple countries that are making their World Cup debut,
such as gaba Vede or kpe Vede, Guasau Jordan, and Uzbekistan.
And so in my house, anytime those teams are playing
(11:22):
we're rooting for them, We're like and what Fedenanena, my partner,
has really pointed out is that Gaba Beta in particular,
like they're playing with so much heart and they're playing
so so good, And he's like that, like, you can
be talented and you can have all the strategy, but
to play with so much heart is like going to
get them so far. And because it's their first time there,
like it really shows like how bad they want it.
Speaker 4 (11:43):
Yeah, and so that's been really exciting to see.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
Yeah, and I feel like people like, I feel like
a lot of Americans are sort of discovering Gabo Vere.
It's a very tiny island nation off of the western
coast of Africa, and in fact, the largest Cape Verdian
population outside of Cavere is in Massachusetts. So there's a
(12:06):
lot of Cape Verdians in the United States and the
East Coast in particular, So I feel like this is
a very cool moment for that community, because I don't
think that many Americans are even aware of the country,
much less how many people of Cape Verdian descent live
in the United States. So it's very again, like very global,
but it's very local at the same time. So that's
(12:27):
I like that you guys that you're you're rooting for them.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
That's all root we are.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
And I think in addition to course the countries making
their debut, there's also a lot of cultural exchange happening,
and a lot of them a lot of it I've
seen online and in particular, like the exchange that Koreans
are having in Mexico in particular, love it. I've loved
seeing like the tiktoks, the Instagram reels of like Korean
(12:53):
fans like having so much fun, like trying tequila, trying
the food, trying the salsa, trying the buzzball, trying the buzzballs,
and just like really seeing the joy in between communities.
Even though I think that's one of the really nice
parts about the World Cup is and soccer, is that
your teams can be competing against each other, but like
(13:14):
a lot of the times, like within the fandom and
the people, like we can have fun together, yeah, you know,
and there's like a camaraderie in the sport.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
That was one of the things we tried to explore
and emphasize when we covered the Mexico Korea game. In
our interviews with fans, we asked people what do Mexicans
and Koreans both do really really well, and there were
some really fun responses. Some people said beer, Mexicans and
Koreans both love beer and both make delicious beer. Others
(13:45):
talked about barbecue, asada and KBBQ. Others talked about like
Korean dramas and novellas. Others discussed like our shared love
and emphasis on family. So I thought that was really
fun and I'm glad that we got to explore dynamic.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
I agree.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
I agree that was really fun to see, and there's
so much more online, but I think that in particular
has been really sweet, especially because they played against each other. Yeah,
and then one of my favorite things happened this past
week memo oo famously famously Zaddy like Mexico's treasure. Yeah,
(14:22):
he retires this year after six World Cups.
Speaker 4 (14:25):
He just played his last game.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
And just seeing you know, really his I think, like awe,
like saying like waving to the fans, like this being
his like final moment on the field. His seeing his
team members like throw him up into the air, and
just like seeing him get his flowers on the field.
I thought was really really sweet and really special. Because
he's been in the playing for a long time and
(14:49):
has been in the World Cup for many, many World Cups.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
That's amazing.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
And he is forty years old, so he's like considered
one of like.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
The older soccer players.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
So he is we know, forties on old, but for
like athletes, that is considered like up there, and so
he's like reached retirement age.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Yeah. It's a lot of wear and tear on the body.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Yeah, and like, oh my god, his joints, his knees,
his ankles.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
And you know, Messi I think is like thirty six,
thirty seven really, so again not they're not old, but
they have I mean the Train thirty nine, thank you
all our producer Joel Okay, Messi's thirty nine. But yeah,
I mean to be a competitive athlete, right, the wear
and tear you put on your body is extensive, especially
(15:34):
like playing for decades.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
And I feel like they have to approach every game
not knowing if they're going to have another game after
that because the risk of injury is so high, and
the fact that both of them have been playing for
so long is truly incredible, absolutely something to celebrate.
Speaker 4 (15:53):
Yeah, don't go anywhere locomotives will be right back.
Speaker 6 (16:00):
So there's a lot of beauty around the world conference,
a lot to celebrate. However, there's also an ugly side
to a huge global event like this taking place partially
in the United States. So one example, Omar Artan, a
Somalian referee, was denied entry to the US in Miami,
despite the fact that he held a diplomatic passport and
(16:22):
a single entry US visa. Artan had been one of
fifty two referees appointed by FIFA for the tournament, and
I don't think that he's the only official or athlete
correct or fan who has had difficulty entering the US.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
This is one example.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
So the twenty twenty six World Cup marks the first
time in history that a host nation is at war
with a participating country, so this is another factor as
far as participants, athletes, other officials that are associated with
teams playing Iran. In particular, so Iran's players were granted
(17:02):
visas just ten days before their match, but they are
operating under very tight travel arrangements, entering the US the
day before their matches and then returning to their base
in Pijuana, Mexico. So this is a very tight turnaround.
For these athletes, it's not really giving them a lot
of chance to rest or acclimate or settle in, and
(17:25):
it puts a strain on the team and on their performance.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
I was reading that they flew from Tijuana to lax
for their game at SOFAR, and obviously that's a very
quick flight, but because of immigrations and customs, like they
ended up staying like five hours I think on the
plane before they were even let in because of all
of these visa stipulations and these new regulations and like
(17:51):
a lot of scrutiny on the Iranian players.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
And that's so draining.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Yeah, Like that's exhausting flying.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
In general, traveling between countries, even if they're neighboring countries.
Sitting on a plane for five hours, just like idling
on the tarmac is very exhausting. So I really feel
for the Iranian soccer team. As of June twenty fourth,
the US is easing its restrictions on Iran's World Cup team,
allowing the squad to travel into the country two days
(18:20):
before their next match. So there's like a little bit
of an adjustment that's been made. But I still think
that this is another example of how the experience is
not the same for every country visiting to play. And
literally we are at war with Iran and so their
team is participating. But I think really feeling the heaviness
(18:45):
of that.
Speaker 3 (18:45):
Yeah, and I think one thing in particular to note,
and you know, part of this is like corporate greed
of FIFA and its corruption. But you know, Russia is
not allowed to play, they are not allowed to send
their team because they're at war with Ukraine. Yet the
United States is still a host country, you know, and
we're still for the for the fandom, the community and
(19:08):
the economy, right, the local businesses that are really seeing
the potential growth. Like it's great that it's here, right,
but there's still like so much in terms of like
the politics of it all. You know that the US
can even host considering like the immigration policy that's been
enacted in the last two years, considering the ice rates
(19:30):
across the nation, Like there's a lot to like it's ironic,
it's but because it's FIFA and because there's corporate interests,
I can I can see why the US was not
removed as a host country.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
Yeah. Well, I think also.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
There is a really stark difference between how we have
protested as like US based Latin X people, like the
way that we protest against organizations and corporations that somehow
interact with or benefit ice and immigration detention. But the
(20:12):
World Cup is here and nobody is protesting, right, Everyone
is participating and like buying things and supporting economically. And
one of the questions is how can we benefit economically
from the World's Cup.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
And so it's just interesting.
Speaker 3 (20:34):
To me, Yeah, and I think within it's one of
those things like the World Cup is happening, the Olympics
is happening, right, and so how do we either organize
our people? And I think that that's one of the
reasons we were excited to partner with our Kopaw six,
which is why we were at Anny Boy Brewing covering
the Mexico Korea game, because they have a set of
(20:56):
demands and actions and they're encouraging people to sign a survey.
One of the things that they're demanding is to implement
a moratorium on ice operations during the World Cup and
to lift the travel bands that are on Haiti Idan,
Coote de Voor and Senegal. And so I think that's
an example of really sitting with that like complexity of
(21:19):
like this is still happening. People are still enjoying it,
but also injustices are still happening. Ice rads are still happening.
How do we bring awareness? And I think their emphasis
on I think is very pertinent and very it's I
(21:40):
understand why that's the emphasis on their movement and their actions.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
Absolutely, it's it's, uh, there's a purpose and a mission
behind the watch parties, right, It's not watching just to watch,
and it's not watching like just for the sport or
to drink or like for the celebration. And it's also
reminding us that there are injustices taking place at the
(22:04):
same time. And I do wonder if like attendees are
like really tapping in and tuning into that, right I
hope So.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
I hope so, I hope.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
So.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
When I was when I got there, when I got
to the event, Sizzle, our friend and homegirl DJ Sizzle.
DJ Sizzle, she was the open opening DJ, and she
was on the mic and she was talking about, like,
why we're gathering here today. Here's a QR code to
learn more, text this Texas number for more info.
Speaker 4 (22:34):
Share with everybody, and she was I think.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
Grounding the event in that whether you know people that
showed up knew exactly why the host party the watch
party was being hosted. I don't know, but I know
that's why we were there. And Sizzle was definitely like
grounding the event in that. But I agree, Uh, there
is I think famously within sports in particular, to like
(22:58):
keep politics out of it. Yeah, but historically that's never
the case, right. There have been wars during World Cups
and Olympics, there have been countries that have refused to
go out of protest, and so this is not new
in terms of political turmoil and people sitting with like
the complexity or like, Okay, well what do we do now?
Speaker 2 (23:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:20):
Absolutely so for the rest of the summer, through the
end of July and then looking forward to the Olympics,
I think we continue to hold these complexities, and I
think it's important as a community like to just be
very self aware and introspective about where we put our support,
(23:41):
where we don't put our support, where we protest, where
we don't protest, and what impact it all has.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
Yeah, And I think that that brings us to this
idea of like who gets to be a spectator?
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (23:52):
I mean you and I were spectators in terms of
like we're at a watch party, you know, and we've
been watching from our homes or we've been watching at
different businesses. But this is historically this World Cup is
historically the most expensive World Cup that it's ever been,
with ticket prices being an average of thirteen hundred and
so even this, you know, sport that you can say like,
(24:13):
but then it's the la hinte that has like you know,
roots in in Latin America and of course the world,
but like you're the average person can't afford to go,
and so it really brings into a question of who's
allowed to be a spectator, who has access to the stadiums,
who has access to travel, especially it being in three countries, right,
(24:38):
And then I think the broader in addition to who
gets to be a spectator, it's like, well who gets
to play soccer because, as we've said at the top
of the episode, like this is a debut for a
couple of countries, right and famously, but it was not there, right,
and so so much of soccer in different countries is
(24:58):
also about like like the economic access right, and the
infrastructure that the country will put behind, like cultivating national teams,
cultivating international teams, having like youth development, and that's why
we have like a country like Argentina, although they have
like their own economic crisis, historically has spent a lot
of resources same as Europe.
Speaker 4 (25:20):
Right, But if we.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
See like countries like Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, the World Cup,
but that same access and infrastructure, it doesn't look the
same in those countries. So I think that that is
also like a conversation within like even the national teams,
like who gets to make it there, who gets to
have access to even travel to and join like a
(25:41):
European country, which usually pay better.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
Yeah, any like high level athletics is expensive, especially when
we think about youth and training and coaching and clinics
and travel and gear and the tie. And I feel
like in these countries that really they've built an infrastructure
(26:09):
around their athletics. They've invested a lot of time and
money into creating like pipelines for their youth to compete
at an international level. You know, of course they're going
to have like a much bigger showing when it comes
to international events, when it comes to the World Cup,
when it comes to the Olympics. And then I think
(26:29):
that that also adds to like the international attitudes towards
those countries. When you have countries that are consistently competing
and winning and participating in global sport, that also lifts
the global image of the country.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
Absolutely and the perception.
Speaker 1 (26:47):
So athletics is not just athletics, it's also international relations
in so many ways. And I don't think that these
countries that are not participating in the World Cup. It's
not for a lack of talent, and it's not for
a lack of love of the sport. But what needs
are those countries like still trying to meet absolutely for
(27:10):
their citizens, right as opposed to like being able to
invest in like a soccer team is kind of like
an extra it's like a cherry on top, right, But
it's that boost globally. And I think about like the
United States and our emphasis on football and how much
money and time and facilities and manpower is put into
(27:35):
American football, and it's this like huge enterprise and industry,
you know, even though like we don't compete with football
anywhere else in the world except for here, you know,
but it's still like this, like this like diamond in
like the Tiara of the country, you know, and for
(27:57):
other countries at soccer, you know. And I think that
the US soccer team did did fine in the World Cup,
but just got knocked out by Turkey on our own
home turf, which is like that's yeah, you snooze, you lose,
I guess, But it's not our it's not our main sport, right,
It's not our main sport. And I think that's also
(28:18):
good for Americans to experience, like we are.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
Not the powerhouse a little bit.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
Yeah, we are not the powerhouse in the World Cup,
Like this is not our sport, like we we are
not like excelling on a global scale.
Speaker 3 (28:31):
In soccer actually though, yes, And the US women's soccer
team has actually taken home like the World Cup equivalent.
So the women's like soccer team is actually like doing
like fantastic and history has a better record than the
men's and today we are talking about the men's national
teams and international teams. But there is of course, like
(28:54):
like that's a whole other episode, right talking about like
women's and soccer and sports.
Speaker 1 (28:59):
And famous paid less than the men, yes, across all sports,
across all sports. But there's been a lot of public
conversation and scrutiny over the pay disparity between between the
US women's soccer team and the men's US soccer team,
because like you're saying, the women win and bring home.
Speaker 2 (29:19):
Titles and the men not so much so often.
Speaker 1 (29:24):
Yeah, yeah, So there's a lot to talk about with
regards to the World Cup FIFA and how migration is
shaping soccer and the national teams of participating countries. So
the twenty twenty six FIFA Men's World Cup has by
far the highest proportion ever of players representing countries they
were not born in almost a quarter of all the
(29:46):
participating players. So a country's national team is no longer
just a reflection of the population inside of their imagined borders.
It's become actually a reflection of migration and history. FIFA
now allows players to pick the team they play on
based on ethnic origin and national origin. So I think
(30:10):
what this means, Right, if you have an American who
was born in a different country but they live in
the United States, of course they can play for the
US team, or they could play for their home country
where they were born or where their parents are from.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
So I think in the last ten to fifteen years,
FIFA actually changed their rules and so there's a couple
rules as to which soccer player can represent which country,
and so these are some of the rules.
Speaker 4 (30:40):
Don't go anywhere.
Speaker 6 (30:41):
Lokamonez will be right back.
Speaker 3 (30:46):
If they were born on the territory of the country,
if a biological parent was born there, if a grandparent
was born there, or if they've lived there for a
set number of years. And I think one example of
this in particular is Huayankin, who's Colombian born but became
a naturalized Mexican citizen and he scored the opening goal
during the opening game at the Mexico versus South Africa game.
(31:10):
So I think that's one example of migration changing like
the makeup of some of the national teams, because before
we would think of the national teams as like, oh,
they're all Mexican born or they're all Colombian born. But
the migration patterns of course influence now and I think
FIFA of course caught onto that. I think another example
(31:31):
of this is that in the twenty tens, there was
a push to improve the quality of football in Morocco specifically,
and so they placed scouts in European countries with large
Moroccan communities, like France.
Speaker 4 (31:44):
The Netherlands and Belgium.
Speaker 3 (31:46):
And so the result of that was an injection of
talent from the diaspora players and in twenty twenty two,
Morocco made it to third place, becoming the first African
nation to reach the World Cup semi finals.
Speaker 4 (31:59):
Which was the World Up in Qatar.
Speaker 3 (32:01):
And so even now, like seeing the different players that
are repping their countries or like, because I think about
it for myself, like I'm wearing my bit of jersey today,
Like I'm not wearing a USA jersey. And it's like
if I was an athlete and I had the choice
to represent the country I was born in or the
country of maybe my mom's origin or my dad's origin,
(32:22):
like I might, I might pick that, And so I
think that there's also that identity piece within it as well.
Speaker 1 (32:28):
Yeah, well, I mean, if we're just looking at our
like little LA community here or big LA community here,
everybody's wearing their Mexico jerseys. Everybody, Like I haven't seen
anyone that I know personally where a team usay, like
an American soccer jersey.
Speaker 2 (32:46):
I really couldn't even tell you.
Speaker 4 (32:47):
What it looks like me either, are right, I don't
know what it looks like.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
I don't know what it looks like.
Speaker 1 (32:51):
I haven't I haven't seen one, which I think is
really interesting and very telling.
Speaker 2 (32:55):
Yeah right, it is. And I and a lot of
us are Us born.
Speaker 1 (32:59):
A lot of our like creative Latino community is American
born or like multiple generations in But we stay repping
the Mexico jersey and all those Latino brands at the
Moda Mundiel fashion show, like they're not flipping US jerseys,
They're all flipping and making couture out of Mexico jerseys.
Speaker 2 (33:20):
Yes, that's where the fashion is coming from.
Speaker 4 (33:22):
It's so true.
Speaker 3 (33:23):
Yeah, I mean even just like the bootleg jerseys that
I've seen, Like I bought a bootleg jersey the other day,
and the little Boisto that I went to in Pico,
it was like all Mexico jerseys.
Speaker 2 (33:35):
And they're just they're just cooler.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
They're more aesthetic, they're cooler.
Speaker 2 (33:39):
They're just you can do more with them. I mean
the colors, you know, they're just better.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
Yeah, I'm sorry, I don't want to wear red, white
and blue. I just don't know now that color association.
Speaker 1 (33:49):
I'm like, no, thank you, I know it's forever ruined. Yeah,
and it's just red and blue together have never been
my favorite combination. True, it's just never been my favorite
combination and it's never going to be like it just
never works for me.
Speaker 2 (34:04):
Yeah, aesthetically I understand. But this I can work with. Yes,
this I understand.
Speaker 4 (34:10):
That's great. With the little Calprin belts, Calprin Belt, I
love it, thank you.
Speaker 3 (34:16):
So I think the last thing we want to talk
about is how the watch parties in particular, yeah, are
in some ways like cultural town squares, like cultural hubs,
like especially here in Los Angeles, of course nationwide and worldwide,
but in particular, like we can talk about what we've
seen here in La.
Speaker 1 (34:37):
Yeah, okay, So for the Mexico Korea game, we talked
about Benny Boy Brewing and the Arquapa watch party. But
during the Mexico Korea game, like Koreatown was alive.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
It was on fire. It wow packed.
Speaker 1 (34:52):
I mean, people took to the streets, they were screening
the game like on outdoor screens, and it was huge.
It was it was it was amazing to see. I
wasn't there, we weren't there in person, but I saw online.
And you know, with with that comes celebration and pride
and fun and sportsmanship, but there were also fights that
(35:16):
broke out. I saw some fights like that were filmed
at the Mexico Korea game in Koreatown, and of course
we're posted online between men and women wearing their Mexico jerseys,
which we don't love, but it happened, and I saw
that there were like a couple different fights and it
was unclear like the origins, but like the girls were fighting,
(35:39):
the guys were fighting, which we we don't like, you know,
like let's keep it cute, be nice, don't hit each other. No,
it's it's like sports, it just cannot be that serious.
And when we're gathering in big, huge groups in public spaces,
like we got to protect each other and take care
of each others.
Speaker 2 (36:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (36:01):
So I think this is the other piece of it,
is like it's these it's this cultural gathering, but people
have to remember to like keep it, keep stay.
Speaker 2 (36:08):
Cool, you know, yeah, you know.
Speaker 3 (36:10):
And I think for me this was like one of
the hard things to think about for this episode is
like how do we get super specific because there's so
many different angles to talk about sports in particular and
World Cups, because there's actually statistics on how like during
championships and sport games like DV actually increases, like domestic violence,
(36:31):
violence against girls and women increases, right, Like that's an
angle we could have gone with, but I think we
were trying, like how do we encompass like everything that
we're seeing, and like that is why we decided to talk,
like that's why we're talking about the World Cup and
the way that we're talking about it. But there's so
many different things that happen. And then like you're saying,
like the fights do happen, that does happen, Like sportsmanship
(36:53):
is not all camaraderie and like butterflies and all of that,
you know, there are other things that happen and deeper
things as well.
Speaker 1 (37:02):
And I think also like Latin American soccer fans have
also been known at games too sometimes fant very racist
and homophobic things, like in large numbers, very loudly, over
and over again. And I know that all of that
is happening at these games because it's part of it's
part of Latino culture unfortunately, and it's part of that,
(37:23):
like soccer culture. So I don't know, it's it's it's
a mixed bag for me, absolutely, and if I'm going
to a watch.
Speaker 2 (37:31):
Party, it needs to be like I need to know
which watch party where.
Speaker 3 (37:35):
It needs to be chill, it needs to be cute,
it needs to feel good vibes, you know. And I
was just at Boulevard Market shout out Barney, and I
watched the Mexico Condra Czech Republic game and it was fantastic,
Like it was good vibes. Yeah, there's a new Provian
restaurant there by the way. So I was eating my
little Lomo Salo wearing my little Mexican jersey. It was
(37:59):
felt very much at home home, and it was a
great time, you know. There was no rowdiness, it was fine,
maybe because it was a Wednesday, but it was definitely chill,
and like that's the kind of watch party I want
to be at.
Speaker 2 (38:10):
Yes, let's keep it chill, keep it civil. No racial slurs,
no please.
Speaker 4 (38:15):
Please please racial slurs, and I'm out, like.
Speaker 1 (38:18):
Yeah, I gotta go, gotta go, absolutely yeah, And Boulevard Market.
I think in Montabello they're going to continue to host
different watch parties and World Cup events.
Speaker 2 (38:29):
Our GOPA has.
Speaker 1 (38:30):
More viewing parties watch parties coming up this summer, so
keep an eye out for that. We're going to be
at another one, yeah, for the final yes, which is
very exciting.
Speaker 4 (38:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (38:39):
And I think that's one of the things to keep
in mind, is like, if you're sitting with these complexities,
if you're sitting with like, there's this huge corporation, there's
so much corporate interests, there's so much corruption, there's so
much you know, policy that actually harms my community, How
do I even celebrate this? And I think it's about
consciously choosing where you're going, like porch your friends, you know,
(39:01):
business that's hosting the watch party, host your own watch party,
and the comfort of your home and have your friends over,
you know. And I think finding the way to like
still feel invigorated by the like collective joy that's happening
and let yourself like feel that because it's been a
tough year. You know, it's been a tough couple of years.
It's been a tough decade. And so to let yourself
(39:24):
like let loose and enjoy it a little bit, you know,
because because the fight is not over, and it will
not be over tomorrow, and it will not end because
the game is on, you know, and so if it's possible,
like holding both of those in mind.
Speaker 2 (39:38):
Absolutely, I totally agree.
Speaker 1 (39:40):
So yeah, support your local businesses. Check out some of
these Latino brands that we've talked about, Blaneta and Meviva
and Espacly eighteen thirty nine. If you're looking for a
cool jersey or your own World Cup fashion, check out
the ark Wopa viewing parties.
Speaker 2 (39:56):
We're going to be at the final. Come hang with us.
It's you with an R s v P.
Speaker 1 (40:01):
Yes, but they fill up fast, uh yeah, and enjoy
the World's Cup.
Speaker 4 (40:06):
Thank you for listening to another capital of Loka Radio.
We'll catch you next time's see its Loca.
Speaker 3 (40:15):
Loka to A Radio is executive produced and hosted by
Me Theosa and me Mala, video editing by Saul Gomez and.
Speaker 2 (40:25):
Audio engineering by Joel hero Morales.
Speaker 3 (40:28):
You can listen to Loka Dora Radio on the iHeartRadio
app or wherever you get your podcast
So there's a lot to talk about with regards to
the World Cup, FIFA and how migration is shaping soccer
and the national teams of participating countries. So the twenty
twenty six FIFA Men's World Cup has by far the
highest proportion ever of players representing countries they were not
born in almost a quarter of all the participating players.
(00:23):
So a country's national team is no longer just a
reflection of the population inside of their imagined borders. It's
become actually a reflection of migration and history. FIFA now
allows players to pick the team they play on based
on ethnic origin and national origin.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
So I think what this means.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Right, if you have an American who was born in
a different country but they live in the United States,
of course they can play for the US team, or
they could play for their home country where they.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Were born or where their parents are from.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
I'm Deosa and I'm Mala.
Speaker 4 (01:05):
You're listening to a new capitol of radio today.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
We're talking about a global event that's taking place right
here in our backyard, the World Cup.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
I can't believe it.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
This is the first time in World Cup history where
the host countries are actually three countries so we have Mexico,
Canada and the US.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
It's a really fun time. LA is just alive.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Not only is it summer in LA, but the World
Cup is happening. It feels like the whole world is
in Los Angeles and everybody's in celebration mode. Everybody is
out in the streets and at watch parties and at games.
It's just like a really exciting time to be in La.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Oh. Absolutely, And today we are talking about the World
Cup in a very specific lok way as we do.
This is not a sports play by play episode because
that would not be on brand for us. What we
are going to talk about today is the politics at large,
culture within Latin America, the diaspora and everything that that encompasses,
(02:06):
and what we're seeing here in Los Angeles.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
This is very much a classic analytical socio political yes
sort of look at take on things. And we want
to start with our own observations and experiences right of
our participation in the World Cup, are viewing and how
we're breaking down everything happening around us.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Yeah, this is such an exciting time because the World Cup,
well just soccer in general is something I've never talked
about on the podcast. But I come from a soccer family,
Like my dad played soccer in Bidu. All my primos
played soccer growing up. They are still in leagues now
and we have watched parties all the time on my
proving side specifically, and because there's been a lot of
(02:50):
like you know, my proving side marrying like Colombians, there's
always like Beru Gondra Columbia games and we're like all
watching them together. So soccer is a very big part
of my pru inside and with my dad just like
watching games with him. We'd watch the World Cup together
growing up, Lacopa America, the whole thing. And then Fernando,
(03:10):
my partner, is also a soccer player, and he plays
soccer weekly. He watches games all the time, and so
people have been asking me like, well, are you watching
the games, and I'm like, by proxy, yes, Like Fernando
will be like working from home and the game is
on in the background. I can hear him from the
bedroom like screaming because someone like Mettiongo And so it's
(03:32):
very much like taken over the house and taken over La,
and that feels has been such a like energizing feeling
for me.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
That's so fun.
Speaker 4 (03:40):
Yeah, how about you.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Well, I have loved all the activations and the pop
ups and the fashion and like the events surrounding the
World Cup. I don't come from a soccer family. I
never played soccer growing up. I don't like contact sport
me either, Like I only played sports if there was
a net or a lane separating us, you know, like
where if there's contact, it's a foul and every ones
in trouble, Like if that's me, So it's it's for me.
(04:04):
It's just the event of it all.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
And I had a really fabulous time at this World
Cup fashion show called Moda Mundial that took place at
Nativo Highland Park and this was a collaborative event between
Nativo and Mithu and it.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Was just what it sounds like.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
It's a fashion show around World Cup and soccer aesthetics.
And if you have spent any time on Instagram or
gone to any of the watch parties, if you've been
on TikTok around like World Cup time, you've probably seen
that the Latinas in particular are serving looks like soccer couture.
And this was on full display at Nativo at the
(04:45):
Moda Mundial fashion show.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
So there were a.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Number of indie like local Latino Latina led brands and
fashion houses whose original like works were on display. So
Bo Roses Espasio eighteen thirty nine who we Loveeta, Nueva
Vida and me Vida all had their original collections both
(05:11):
like for sale and also on the runway. And shout
out Guarrisa Hernandez, who was on a past episode of
lokataa Radio. She's the owner of Nativo and this was
her event and it was just glamorous and fabulous. And
we don't always think of sports and jerseys as chic,
but these brands and these artists and these models and
(05:32):
all these fans have certainly made soccer extremely cautore and cheek.
So that's been really fun. You and I covered the
Mexico Korea game at Benny Boy Brewing and this was
part of the r GOLBA Watch Party series. That was
a fabulous time. We interviewed a bunch of Mexico fans,
a couple of Korea fans. There weren't a ton in attendance,
(05:53):
so if you check out our insta at Lokata Underscore
Radio you can see those interviews and again the looks
that people were sporting.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
This is the first time, in my opinion, that I've noticed, right,
I don't, I'm not that deep into fashion history, but
this is the first time that I've really seen the
soccer jerseys in particular, like really be reworked in these
very like fashion forward, like practically couture ways. And I
(06:23):
really do think, you know, it's the Latina like fashion houses,
like the Latino Latino brands and like gen Z that
are really bringing like this new style to the jerseys
because I've you know, just always seen the soccer jerseys
as they're kind of oversized, you know, you try to
make them as cute as possible, but like they're going
(06:44):
to be boxy.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
But to see like the.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Way they've been reworked, the way they've been personalized, has
been one of my favorite things about this World Cup
in particular.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Oh absolutely.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
And you know Nico at Espasio eighteen thirty nine has
been reworking and reimagining jerseys for many many years now,
Yes he has, and one of his jerseys.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Famously, uh recently recently.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Was purchased and worn and big upped by Nick Jonas.
Nick Jonas bought an Espasio eighteen thirty nine original Mexico
soccer jersey and wore it and made a whole TikTok
around it. Yeah, so go check them out. Barian Boyle
Heights on First Street. That is actually the first place,
the first studio location where we recorded at Espasio eighteen
(07:29):
thirty nine. So just an iconic place for us, for
la and now for soccer fashion.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
And I was just talking about this the other day,
and I know we're going to talk later about like
the joy of it all, but I was just talking
about how it's been really great to see Nico and
Mayra and Espostio like really get their flowers because you're
so right, like Nico has been. He's been making these
political statements on jerseys for quite some time, and he's
actually been silk screening and silk printing for a lot longer. Yeah,
(07:59):
And so to see him like get his due, to
see Espasio and Mara like get the shine, get so
much coverage, have so many people sporting the jerseys has
been really cool. I was at a watch party recently
and then I saw someone walk in with a jersey
that Nico made because and I knew it was his
because in the back it's at guam Lambidia and I
was like, yeah, that's that's Nico's jersey.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
So that's been really fun to see as well.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Yeah, so that for me, that's what I've enjoyed the most.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
And then like Brenda la Latina when she came on
Look at Ora a couple episodes episodes ago, she was
also wearing a jersey and she put a corset over it.
She's been making like or commissioning her friend who's a designer,
to make corsets made out of soccer balls and ye,
so yeah, I agree with you, Like the Latinas are
killing it and I'm so proud of us.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
I'm so proud of us.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
It's cool.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
It is cool.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
And speaking of which, I want to do a quick
plug because if you're listening to us right now on
your usual podcast listening apps like Apple Pod or Spotify,
thank you so much much for supporting. But I also
want to note that you can finally watch us full
length video. You can watch us in the studio right
(09:09):
now if you download the iHeartRadio app. The full length
episode is exclusively available on iHeart and you can see
the outfits that we're wearing today because we are dressed
in theme.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Yes we are, MA tell me what you're wearing.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
I am wearing a Mexico jersey. This is from Guadalajada.
My partner went to go see the Columbia Congo game
and he got me a jersey. It's my first jersey.
I've never had a soccer jersey before. So now I
really feel like I'm in.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
A part of it. I'm part of it. I'm part
of it.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
And how about you tell us about what you're wearing.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
So I am wearing it's a little baby tea. It's
from a Latino brand that I'm so sorry for forgetting
the name, but it's just it just has Bitu on
it and it has.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
A little flag. It's red and white.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
And the reason that I'm wearing this today is because
Bidu did not make the World Cup. They did not
qualify and they actually have not qualified in Russia twenty eighteen,
and in twenty eighteen that was their first return to
the World Cup after a thirty six year absence. And
so I'm just repping Petu because I knew like Mala
(10:12):
was gonna wear well, I will hope you were gonna
wear Mehico, and you did. We actually didn't talk about
our looks, but like serendipitously, we were on theme. We
were on brand per usual, and that's why I'm repping.
And I was also inspired by Barney and Isis because
they are both Central American and they are both wearing
I saw the online that they were both wearing jerseys.
(10:33):
Barney from La you know, his Edlisata or didn't make
it either, So I'm like, I'm gonna I'm gonna commit
to that too. I'm gonna rep it oo because we
didn't make it. But Betu is like, there's like just
a really big, obviously soccer culture in South America and
Latin America. So that's why I'm wearing that today.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
It's the World Cup.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
It is the World Cup.
Speaker 5 (10:51):
The whole world is participating, Yes, and there's so much
to talk about, in particular about this World Cup because
this is the.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
First time that forty eight nations and teams are competing.
This is the biggest it's ever been. And there are
a couple countries that are making their World Cup debut,
such as gaba Vede or kpe Vede, Guasau Jordan, and Uzbekistan.
And so in my house, anytime those teams are playing
(11:22):
we're rooting for them, We're like and what Fedenanena, my partner,
has really pointed out is that Gaba Beta in particular,
like they're playing with so much heart and they're playing
so so good, And he's like that, like, you can
be talented and you can have all the strategy, but
to play with so much heart is like going to
get them so far. And because it's their first time there,
like it really shows like how bad they want it.
Speaker 4 (11:43):
Yeah, and so that's been really exciting to see.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
Yeah, and I feel like people like, I feel like
a lot of Americans are sort of discovering Gabo Vere.
It's a very tiny island nation off of the western
coast of Africa, and in fact, the largest Cape Verdian
population outside of Cavere is in Massachusetts. So there's a
(12:06):
lot of Cape Verdians in the United States and the
East Coast in particular, So I feel like this is
a very cool moment for that community, because I don't
think that many Americans are even aware of the country,
much less how many people of Cape Verdian descent live
in the United States. So it's very again, like very global,
but it's very local at the same time. So that's
(12:27):
I like that you guys that you're you're rooting for them.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
That's all root we are.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
And I think in addition to course the countries making
their debut, there's also a lot of cultural exchange happening,
and a lot of them a lot of it I've
seen online and in particular, like the exchange that Koreans
are having in Mexico in particular, love it. I've loved
seeing like the tiktoks, the Instagram reels of like Korean
(12:53):
fans like having so much fun, like trying tequila, trying
the food, trying the salsa, trying the buzzball, trying the buzzballs,
and just like really seeing the joy in between communities.
Even though I think that's one of the really nice
parts about the World Cup is and soccer, is that
your teams can be competing against each other, but like
(13:14):
a lot of the times, like within the fandom and
the people, like we can have fun together, yeah, you know,
and there's like a camaraderie in the sport.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
That was one of the things we tried to explore
and emphasize when we covered the Mexico Korea game. In
our interviews with fans, we asked people what do Mexicans
and Koreans both do really really well, and there were
some really fun responses. Some people said beer, Mexicans and
Koreans both love beer and both make delicious beer. Others
(13:45):
talked about barbecue, asada and KBBQ. Others talked about like
Korean dramas and novellas. Others discussed like our shared love
and emphasis on family. So I thought that was really
fun and I'm glad that we got to explore dynamic.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
I agree.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
I agree that was really fun to see, and there's
so much more online, but I think that in particular
has been really sweet, especially because they played against each other. Yeah,
and then one of my favorite things happened this past
week memo oo famously famously Zaddy like Mexico's treasure. Yeah,
(14:22):
he retires this year after six World Cups.
Speaker 4 (14:25):
He just played his last game.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
And just seeing you know, really his I think, like awe,
like saying like waving to the fans, like this being
his like final moment on the field. His seeing his
team members like throw him up into the air, and
just like seeing him get his flowers on the field.
I thought was really really sweet and really special. Because
he's been in the playing for a long time and
(14:49):
has been in the World Cup for many, many World Cups.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
That's amazing.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
And he is forty years old, so he's like considered
one of like.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
The older soccer players.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
So he is we know, forties on old, but for
like athletes, that is considered like up there, and so
he's like reached retirement age.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Yeah. It's a lot of wear and tear on the body.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Yeah, and like, oh my god, his joints, his knees,
his ankles.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
And you know, Messi I think is like thirty six,
thirty seven really, so again not they're not old, but
they have I mean the Train thirty nine, thank you
all our producer Joel Okay, Messi's thirty nine. But yeah,
I mean to be a competitive athlete, right, the wear
and tear you put on your body is extensive, especially
(15:34):
like playing for decades.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
And I feel like they have to approach every game
not knowing if they're going to have another game after
that because the risk of injury is so high, and
the fact that both of them have been playing for
so long is truly incredible, absolutely something to celebrate.
Speaker 4 (15:53):
Yeah, don't go anywhere locomotives will be right back.
Speaker 6 (16:00):
So there's a lot of beauty around the world conference,
a lot to celebrate. However, there's also an ugly side
to a huge global event like this taking place partially
in the United States. So one example, Omar Artan, a
Somalian referee, was denied entry to the US in Miami,
despite the fact that he held a diplomatic passport and
(16:22):
a single entry US visa. Artan had been one of
fifty two referees appointed by FIFA for the tournament, and
I don't think that he's the only official or athlete
correct or fan who has had difficulty entering the US.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
This is one example.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
So the twenty twenty six World Cup marks the first
time in history that a host nation is at war
with a participating country, so this is another factor as
far as participants, athletes, other officials that are associated with
teams playing Iran. In particular, so Iran's players were granted
(17:02):
visas just ten days before their match, but they are
operating under very tight travel arrangements, entering the US the
day before their matches and then returning to their base
in Pijuana, Mexico. So this is a very tight turnaround.
For these athletes, it's not really giving them a lot
of chance to rest or acclimate or settle in, and
(17:25):
it puts a strain on the team and on their performance.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
I was reading that they flew from Tijuana to lax
for their game at SOFAR, and obviously that's a very
quick flight, but because of immigrations and customs, like they
ended up staying like five hours I think on the
plane before they were even let in because of all
of these visa stipulations and these new regulations and like
(17:51):
a lot of scrutiny on the Iranian players.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
And that's so draining.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Yeah, Like that's exhausting flying.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
In general, traveling between countries, even if they're neighboring countries.
Sitting on a plane for five hours, just like idling
on the tarmac is very exhausting. So I really feel
for the Iranian soccer team. As of June twenty fourth,
the US is easing its restrictions on Iran's World Cup team,
allowing the squad to travel into the country two days
(18:20):
before their next match. So there's like a little bit
of an adjustment that's been made. But I still think
that this is another example of how the experience is
not the same for every country visiting to play. And
literally we are at war with Iran and so their
team is participating. But I think really feeling the heaviness
(18:45):
of that.
Speaker 3 (18:45):
Yeah, and I think one thing in particular to note,
and you know, part of this is like corporate greed
of FIFA and its corruption. But you know, Russia is
not allowed to play, they are not allowed to send
their team because they're at war with Ukraine. Yet the
United States is still a host country, you know, and
we're still for the for the fandom, the community and
(19:08):
the economy, right, the local businesses that are really seeing
the potential growth. Like it's great that it's here, right,
but there's still like so much in terms of like
the politics of it all. You know that the US
can even host considering like the immigration policy that's been
enacted in the last two years, considering the ice rates
(19:30):
across the nation, Like there's a lot to like it's ironic,
it's but because it's FIFA and because there's corporate interests,
I can I can see why the US was not
removed as a host country.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
Yeah. Well, I think also.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
There is a really stark difference between how we have
protested as like US based Latin X people, like the
way that we protest against organizations and corporations that somehow
interact with or benefit ice and immigration detention. But the
(20:12):
World Cup is here and nobody is protesting, right, Everyone
is participating and like buying things and supporting economically. And
one of the questions is how can we benefit economically
from the World's Cup.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
And so it's just interesting.
Speaker 3 (20:34):
To me, Yeah, and I think within it's one of
those things like the World Cup is happening, the Olympics
is happening, right, and so how do we either organize
our people? And I think that that's one of the
reasons we were excited to partner with our Kopaw six,
which is why we were at Anny Boy Brewing covering
the Mexico Korea game, because they have a set of
(20:56):
demands and actions and they're encouraging people to sign a survey.
One of the things that they're demanding is to implement
a moratorium on ice operations during the World Cup and
to lift the travel bands that are on Haiti Idan,
Coote de Voor and Senegal. And so I think that's
an example of really sitting with that like complexity of
(21:19):
like this is still happening. People are still enjoying it,
but also injustices are still happening. Ice rads are still happening.
How do we bring awareness? And I think their emphasis
on I think is very pertinent and very it's I
(21:40):
understand why that's the emphasis on their movement and their actions.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
Absolutely, it's it's, uh, there's a purpose and a mission
behind the watch parties, right, It's not watching just to watch,
and it's not watching like just for the sport or
to drink or like for the celebration. And it's also
reminding us that there are injustices taking place at the
(22:04):
same time. And I do wonder if like attendees are
like really tapping in and tuning into that, right I
hope So.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
I hope so, I hope.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
So.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
When I was when I got there, when I got
to the event, Sizzle, our friend and homegirl DJ Sizzle.
DJ Sizzle, she was the open opening DJ, and she
was on the mic and she was talking about, like,
why we're gathering here today. Here's a QR code to
learn more, text this Texas number for more info.
Speaker 4 (22:34):
Share with everybody, and she was I think.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
Grounding the event in that whether you know people that
showed up knew exactly why the host party the watch
party was being hosted. I don't know, but I know
that's why we were there. And Sizzle was definitely like
grounding the event in that. But I agree, Uh, there
is I think famously within sports in particular, to like
(22:58):
keep politics out of it. Yeah, but historically that's never
the case, right. There have been wars during World Cups
and Olympics, there have been countries that have refused to
go out of protest, and so this is not new
in terms of political turmoil and people sitting with like
the complexity or like, Okay, well what do we do now?
Speaker 2 (23:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:20):
Absolutely so for the rest of the summer, through the
end of July and then looking forward to the Olympics,
I think we continue to hold these complexities, and I
think it's important as a community like to just be
very self aware and introspective about where we put our support,
(23:41):
where we don't put our support, where we protest, where
we don't protest, and what impact it all has.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
Yeah, And I think that that brings us to this
idea of like who gets to be a spectator?
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (23:52):
I mean you and I were spectators in terms of
like we're at a watch party, you know, and we've
been watching from our homes or we've been watching at
different businesses. But this is historically this World Cup is
historically the most expensive World Cup that it's ever been,
with ticket prices being an average of thirteen hundred and
so even this, you know, sport that you can say like,
(24:13):
but then it's the la hinte that has like you know,
roots in in Latin America and of course the world,
but like you're the average person can't afford to go,
and so it really brings into a question of who's
allowed to be a spectator, who has access to the stadiums,
who has access to travel, especially it being in three countries, right,
(24:38):
And then I think the broader in addition to who
gets to be a spectator, it's like, well who gets
to play soccer because, as we've said at the top
of the episode, like this is a debut for a
couple of countries, right and famously, but it was not there, right,
and so so much of soccer in different countries is
(24:58):
also about like like the economic access right, and the
infrastructure that the country will put behind, like cultivating national teams,
cultivating international teams, having like youth development, and that's why
we have like a country like Argentina, although they have
like their own economic crisis, historically has spent a lot
of resources same as Europe.
Speaker 4 (25:20):
Right, But if we.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
See like countries like Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, the World Cup,
but that same access and infrastructure, it doesn't look the
same in those countries. So I think that that is
also like a conversation within like even the national teams,
like who gets to make it there, who gets to
have access to even travel to and join like a
(25:41):
European country, which usually pay better.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
Yeah, any like high level athletics is expensive, especially when
we think about youth and training and coaching and clinics
and travel and gear and the tie. And I feel
like in these countries that really they've built an infrastructure
(26:09):
around their athletics. They've invested a lot of time and
money into creating like pipelines for their youth to compete
at an international level. You know, of course they're going
to have like a much bigger showing when it comes
to international events, when it comes to the World Cup,
when it comes to the Olympics. And then I think
(26:29):
that that also adds to like the international attitudes towards
those countries. When you have countries that are consistently competing
and winning and participating in global sport, that also lifts
the global image of the country.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
Absolutely and the perception.
Speaker 1 (26:47):
So athletics is not just athletics, it's also international relations
in so many ways. And I don't think that these
countries that are not participating in the World Cup. It's
not for a lack of talent, and it's not for
a lack of love of the sport. But what needs
are those countries like still trying to meet absolutely for
(27:10):
their citizens, right as opposed to like being able to
invest in like a soccer team is kind of like
an extra it's like a cherry on top, right, But
it's that boost globally. And I think about like the
United States and our emphasis on football and how much
money and time and facilities and manpower is put into
(27:35):
American football, and it's this like huge enterprise and industry,
you know, even though like we don't compete with football
anywhere else in the world except for here, you know,
but it's still like this, like this like diamond in
like the Tiara of the country, you know, and for
(27:57):
other countries at soccer, you know. And I think that
the US soccer team did did fine in the World Cup,
but just got knocked out by Turkey on our own
home turf, which is like that's yeah, you snooze, you lose,
I guess, But it's not our it's not our main sport, right,
It's not our main sport. And I think that's also
(28:18):
good for Americans to experience, like we are.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
Not the powerhouse a little bit.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
Yeah, we are not the powerhouse in the World Cup,
Like this is not our sport, like we we are
not like excelling on a global scale.
Speaker 3 (28:31):
In soccer actually though, yes, And the US women's soccer
team has actually taken home like the World Cup equivalent.
So the women's like soccer team is actually like doing
like fantastic and history has a better record than the
men's and today we are talking about the men's national
teams and international teams. But there is of course, like
(28:54):
like that's a whole other episode, right talking about like
women's and soccer and sports.
Speaker 1 (28:59):
And famous paid less than the men, yes, across all sports,
across all sports. But there's been a lot of public
conversation and scrutiny over the pay disparity between between the
US women's soccer team and the men's US soccer team,
because like you're saying, the women win and bring home.
Speaker 2 (29:19):
Titles and the men not so much so often.
Speaker 1 (29:24):
Yeah, yeah, So there's a lot to talk about with
regards to the World Cup FIFA and how migration is
shaping soccer and the national teams of participating countries. So
the twenty twenty six FIFA Men's World Cup has by
far the highest proportion ever of players representing countries they
were not born in almost a quarter of all the
(29:46):
participating players. So a country's national team is no longer
just a reflection of the population inside of their imagined borders.
It's become actually a reflection of migration and history. FIFA
now allows players to pick the team they play on
based on ethnic origin and national origin. So I think
(30:10):
what this means, Right, if you have an American who
was born in a different country but they live in
the United States, of course they can play for the
US team, or they could play for their home country
where they were born or where their parents are from.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
So I think in the last ten to fifteen years,
FIFA actually changed their rules and so there's a couple
rules as to which soccer player can represent which country,
and so these are some of the rules.
Speaker 4 (30:40):
Don't go anywhere.
Speaker 6 (30:41):
Lokamonez will be right back.
Speaker 3 (30:46):
If they were born on the territory of the country,
if a biological parent was born there, if a grandparent
was born there, or if they've lived there for a
set number of years. And I think one example of
this in particular is Huayankin, who's Colombian born but became
a naturalized Mexican citizen and he scored the opening goal
during the opening game at the Mexico versus South Africa game.
(31:10):
So I think that's one example of migration changing like
the makeup of some of the national teams, because before
we would think of the national teams as like, oh,
they're all Mexican born or they're all Colombian born. But
the migration patterns of course influence now and I think
FIFA of course caught onto that. I think another example
(31:31):
of this is that in the twenty tens, there was
a push to improve the quality of football in Morocco specifically,
and so they placed scouts in European countries with large
Moroccan communities, like France.
Speaker 4 (31:44):
The Netherlands and Belgium.
Speaker 3 (31:46):
And so the result of that was an injection of
talent from the diaspora players and in twenty twenty two,
Morocco made it to third place, becoming the first African
nation to reach the World Cup semi finals.
Speaker 4 (31:59):
Which was the World Up in Qatar.
Speaker 3 (32:01):
And so even now, like seeing the different players that
are repping their countries or like, because I think about
it for myself, like I'm wearing my bit of jersey today,
Like I'm not wearing a USA jersey. And it's like
if I was an athlete and I had the choice
to represent the country I was born in or the
country of maybe my mom's origin or my dad's origin,
(32:22):
like I might, I might pick that, And so I
think that there's also that identity piece within it as well.
Speaker 1 (32:28):
Yeah, well, I mean, if we're just looking at our
like little LA community here or big LA community here,
everybody's wearing their Mexico jerseys. Everybody, Like I haven't seen
anyone that I know personally where a team usay, like
an American soccer jersey.
Speaker 2 (32:46):
I really couldn't even tell you.
Speaker 4 (32:47):
What it looks like me either, are right, I don't
know what it looks like.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
I don't know what it looks like.
Speaker 1 (32:51):
I haven't I haven't seen one, which I think is
really interesting and very telling.
Speaker 2 (32:55):
Yeah right, it is. And I and a lot of
us are Us born.
Speaker 1 (32:59):
A lot of our like creative Latino community is American
born or like multiple generations in But we stay repping
the Mexico jersey and all those Latino brands at the
Moda Mundiel fashion show, like they're not flipping US jerseys,
They're all flipping and making couture out of Mexico jerseys.
Speaker 2 (33:20):
Yes, that's where the fashion is coming from.
Speaker 4 (33:22):
It's so true.
Speaker 3 (33:23):
Yeah, I mean even just like the bootleg jerseys that
I've seen, Like I bought a bootleg jersey the other day,
and the little Boisto that I went to in Pico,
it was like all Mexico jerseys.
Speaker 2 (33:35):
And they're just they're just cooler.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
They're more aesthetic, they're cooler.
Speaker 2 (33:39):
They're just you can do more with them. I mean
the colors, you know, they're just better.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
Yeah, I'm sorry, I don't want to wear red, white
and blue. I just don't know now that color association.
Speaker 1 (33:49):
I'm like, no, thank you, I know it's forever ruined. Yeah,
and it's just red and blue together have never been
my favorite combination. True, it's just never been my favorite
combination and it's never going to be like it just
never works for me.
Speaker 2 (34:04):
Yeah, aesthetically I understand. But this I can work with. Yes,
this I understand.
Speaker 4 (34:10):
That's great. With the little Calprin belts, Calprin Belt, I
love it, thank you.
Speaker 3 (34:16):
So I think the last thing we want to talk
about is how the watch parties in particular, yeah, are
in some ways like cultural town squares, like cultural hubs,
like especially here in Los Angeles, of course nationwide and worldwide,
but in particular, like we can talk about what we've
seen here in La.
Speaker 1 (34:37):
Yeah, okay, So for the Mexico Korea game, we talked
about Benny Boy Brewing and the Arquapa watch party. But
during the Mexico Korea game, like Koreatown was alive.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
It was on fire. It wow packed.
Speaker 1 (34:52):
I mean, people took to the streets, they were screening
the game like on outdoor screens, and it was huge.
It was it was it was amazing to see. I
wasn't there, we weren't there in person, but I saw online.
And you know, with with that comes celebration and pride
and fun and sportsmanship, but there were also fights that
(35:16):
broke out. I saw some fights like that were filmed
at the Mexico Korea game in Koreatown, and of course
we're posted online between men and women wearing their Mexico jerseys,
which we don't love, but it happened, and I saw
that there were like a couple different fights and it
was unclear like the origins, but like the girls were fighting,
(35:39):
the guys were fighting, which we we don't like, you know,
like let's keep it cute, be nice, don't hit each other. No,
it's it's like sports, it just cannot be that serious.
And when we're gathering in big, huge groups in public spaces,
like we got to protect each other and take care
of each others.
Speaker 2 (36:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (36:01):
So I think this is the other piece of it,
is like it's these it's this cultural gathering, but people
have to remember to like keep it, keep stay.
Speaker 2 (36:08):
Cool, you know, yeah, you know.
Speaker 3 (36:10):
And I think for me this was like one of
the hard things to think about for this episode is
like how do we get super specific because there's so
many different angles to talk about sports in particular and
World Cups, because there's actually statistics on how like during
championships and sport games like DV actually increases, like domestic violence,
(36:31):
violence against girls and women increases, right, Like that's an
angle we could have gone with, but I think we
were trying, like how do we encompass like everything that
we're seeing, and like that is why we decided to talk,
like that's why we're talking about the World Cup and
the way that we're talking about it. But there's so
many different things that happen. And then like you're saying,
like the fights do happen, that does happen, Like sportsmanship
(36:53):
is not all camaraderie and like butterflies and all of that,
you know, there are other things that happen and deeper
things as well.
Speaker 1 (37:02):
And I think also like Latin American soccer fans have
also been known at games too sometimes fant very racist
and homophobic things, like in large numbers, very loudly, over
and over again. And I know that all of that
is happening at these games because it's part of it's
part of Latino culture unfortunately, and it's part of that,
(37:23):
like soccer culture. So I don't know, it's it's it's
a mixed bag for me, absolutely, and if I'm going
to a watch.
Speaker 2 (37:31):
Party, it needs to be like I need to know
which watch party where.
Speaker 3 (37:35):
It needs to be chill, it needs to be cute,
it needs to feel good vibes, you know. And I
was just at Boulevard Market shout out Barney, and I
watched the Mexico Condra Czech Republic game and it was fantastic,
Like it was good vibes. Yeah, there's a new Provian
restaurant there by the way. So I was eating my
little Lomo Salo wearing my little Mexican jersey. It was
(37:59):
felt very much at home home, and it was a
great time, you know. There was no rowdiness, it was fine,
maybe because it was a Wednesday, but it was definitely chill,
and like that's the kind of watch party I want
to be at.
Speaker 2 (38:10):
Yes, let's keep it chill, keep it civil. No racial slurs,
no please.
Speaker 4 (38:15):
Please please racial slurs, and I'm out, like.
Speaker 1 (38:18):
Yeah, I gotta go, gotta go, absolutely yeah, And Boulevard Market.
I think in Montabello they're going to continue to host
different watch parties and World Cup events.
Speaker 2 (38:29):
Our GOPA has.
Speaker 1 (38:30):
More viewing parties watch parties coming up this summer, so
keep an eye out for that. We're going to be
at another one, yeah, for the final yes, which is
very exciting.
Speaker 4 (38:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (38:39):
And I think that's one of the things to keep
in mind, is like, if you're sitting with these complexities,
if you're sitting with like, there's this huge corporation, there's
so much corporate interests, there's so much corruption, there's so
much you know, policy that actually harms my community, How
do I even celebrate this? And I think it's about
consciously choosing where you're going, like porch your friends, you know,
(39:01):
business that's hosting the watch party, host your own watch party,
and the comfort of your home and have your friends over,
you know. And I think finding the way to like
still feel invigorated by the like collective joy that's happening
and let yourself like feel that because it's been a
tough year. You know, it's been a tough couple of years.
It's been a tough decade. And so to let yourself
(39:24):
like let loose and enjoy it a little bit, you know,
because because the fight is not over, and it will
not be over tomorrow, and it will not end because
the game is on, you know, and so if it's possible,
like holding both of those in mind.
Speaker 2 (39:38):
Absolutely, I totally agree.
Speaker 1 (39:40):
So yeah, support your local businesses. Check out some of
these Latino brands that we've talked about, Blaneta and Meviva
and Espacly eighteen thirty nine. If you're looking for a
cool jersey or your own World Cup fashion, check out
the ark Wopa viewing parties.
Speaker 2 (39:56):
We're going to be at the final. Come hang with us.
It's you with an R s v P.
Speaker 1 (40:01):
Yes, but they fill up fast, uh yeah, and enjoy
the World's Cup.
Speaker 4 (40:06):
Thank you for listening to another capital of Loka Radio.
We'll catch you next time's see its Loca.
Speaker 3 (40:15):
Loka to A Radio is executive produced and hosted by
Me Theosa and me Mala, video editing by Saul Gomez and.
Speaker 2 (40:25):
Audio engineering by Joel hero Morales.
Speaker 3 (40:28):
You can listen to Loka Dora Radio on the iHeartRadio
app or wherever you get your podcast
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