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As soccer fans around the globe are counting down to the World Cup. That's right. 48 teams, 104 matches, 16 cities in three countries, all over 39 days. We have team coverage of the team and the countdown to kickoff. That's right. Let's start with Jamie Majio and the latest from the players tonight. Jamie. Yeah, thank you. So, parties for the fans, but it's all business for the US men's national team. Team USA will be looking to win their first ever FIFA World Cup trophy. The US begins group stage play on Friday against Paraguay. That's at Sofi Stadium. They're holding camp at Great Park in Irvine. And being right next to the beach has given the team even more chances to bond.
Midfielder Gio Raina says the team chemistry is going to be a big part of the success they're planning to have on the pitch this World Cup. Our biggest strength of this team is that we really, really enjoy spending time with each other and we really, really enjoy each other as human beings. So, I think that shows in how we play, whether it's, you know, running for each other or in moments having each other's back and, you know, in chippy moments. That's our biggest strength is how much we love each other. And, uh, my favorite time, of course, is being on the pitch. But besides that, I think I would say
the same. The memories we're creating off the field right now are some that'll last a lifetime. So after their opener on Friday, the US will head to Seattle next week to face Australia before returning to Englewood to close out group play against Turkey the following week. Uh that first game is critical. A win against Paraguay would give the Americans three points and a near lock for a spot in the knockout round. Juan, so exciting. That's right, Jamie. Thanks so much. All right, let's bring in our Lorie Perez. Lori, kickoff of the USA Paraguay match is set for 600 p.m. on Friday. And Lori, I'm guessing a lot of viewers were just thinking, "Wait a minute, the 405 rush hour, all those extra cars and trying to get to the stadium." Oh boy.
Yeah. Well, you know, traffic is just one thing that might be a little bit challenging in the days to come and over the summer. We're here in front of the World Cup popup here in Santa Monica. It was pretty busy tonight, so excitement is definitely building up for the World Cup, but also maybe a little bit of anxiety. Very excited. Um, I represent Mexico. I love the national team. Leo Alves is a football fanatic. His phone filled with pics of days spent cheering. He says Angelinos are ready for the World Cup.
I see so many people with their banners already, their jerseys showing up for the for the occasion. There are a lot of X- factors FIFA and leaders across the country will have to handle to pull it off flawlessly. Steve Bank is one of the world's leading experts on soccer law. He's keeping an eye on the challenges. Already, a Somali referee was denied entry to the US. If a referee who has a valid visa can be denied once they arrive, what's going to happen to fans? Here in LA, there could be protests over the president's immigration enforcement that has targeted Los Angeles. Not to mention, it is unprecedented to have the host country being at war with a country that is that's playing in the World Cup in your country.
City and county leaders say there will be layers of security across the city, roving secret service teams, and plans to take down any unauthorized drones on site. It's a um politically charged environment. And then it might seem minor in comparison, there's the outrageous ticket prices. We checked tonight and there are still hundreds of tickets available. There is a strategy and it's not unique to sports enter um concerts do it too where the view is selling fewer tickets at higher prices is more profitable than selling out. And if the home opener for the US men's national team in Los Angeles, a very large city,
is not completely sold out, it will be a failure on the part of FIFA and US Soccer. If you think you might head to Sofi and try to snag a cheap ticket close to game time, it won't be easy. Bank says to even get on a metro heading to Sofi, you might have to show you have a ticket already. If you do have a ticket, but you're worried about traffic and parking, Englewood's mayor insists you don't have to be. We have 5 million people a year come to 400 events a year. 70,000 people in SoFi Stadium is 70,000 people. So, I mean, this is what we do. So, there is some relief tonight. Sofi Stadium workers reached a tentative deal today, averting a strike just days
before the first World Cup match here in Los Angeles. They were asking for better pay and also a ban on ICE agents coming to the stadium. So already that is one crisis averted. We are live in Santa Monica. I'm Lori Perez, CBSLA. Back to you.
