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Arellano: How this World Cup finally taught me to love soccer
Summary by The Los Angeles Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Gustavo Arellano , Los Angeles Times - California
· July 20, 2026
· 1 min read
Over 104 games, a bunch of questionable VAR calls, another heartbreaking downfall by Mexico and a brilliant goal by Spain's Ferran Torres, I learned why soccer is the world's most popular sport.
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Summary created by The Los Angeles Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times - California Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The World Cup's ability to captivate audiences worldwide is a phenomenon that resonates deeply in Los Angeles, a city with a diverse population and a strong presence of international communities. For many Angelenos, soccer is more than just a sport, it's a connection to their heritage and cultural roots. The city's streets and parks are often filled with the sounds of lively soccer matches, with locals cheering on their favorite teams and players. As the World Cup showcased the skill and passion of players like Spain's Ferran Torres, it's likely that interest in the sport will continue to grow in Los Angeles, with more residents discovering the excitement and camaraderie that comes with being a soccer fan. This newfound enthusiasm could have a lasting impact on the city's soccer scene, potentially leading to increased participation in local leagues and a stronger sense of community among fans.
About this story
Original reporting by Los Angeles Times - California . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Los Angeles Times - California . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: Los Angeles Times - California ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Over 104 games, a bunch of questionable VAR calls, another heartbreaking downfall by Mexico and a brilliant goal by Spain's Ferran Torres, I learned why soccer is the world's most popular sport.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by Los Angeles Times - California and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gustavo Arellano at Los Angeles Times - California. To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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