local
Finding World Cup joy in speaking to women who love soccer
By Jasmine Garsd | NPR at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· July 19, 2026
· 5 min read
CeeCee Barrett, left, and Vina Nails owner Vy Nguyen, right, showcase their FIFA World Cup-inspired art at her salon in Houston, Texas, on June 26.(Danielle Villasana for NPR)
At some point in our World Cup travels, as NPR journeyed from city to city talking to fans and watching games, producer L...
Key takeaway Details of Jalynn Garcia's nails while being painted with FIFA World Cup-inspired art at Ciao Bella Nail Spa in Houston, Texas, on June 26, 2026.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
In Los Angeles , a city with a rich soccer culture, the enthusiasm for the World Cup is palpable, with fans from diverse backgrounds gathering to watch games and share their passion for the sport. The story of women who love soccer, as highlighted by NPR's coverage, resonates deeply in a city where the sport is increasingly popular among women and girls. Local nail salons, like those visited by NPR in Houston, may also be showcasing World Cup-inspired art, reflecting the creativity and dedication of fans in Los Angeles. The experiences of women like Zhraa Hamidy, who faced obstacles in pursuing their love for soccer, are a reminder that there is still work to be done to support and empower female soccer players in Los Angeles and beyond. As the city's soccer community continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how local organizations and businesses respond to the demand for women's soccer programming and resources.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . 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 LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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What is this story about? CeeCee Barrett, left, and Vina Nails owner Vy Nguyen, right, showcase their FIFA World Cup-inspired art at her salon in Houston, Texas, on June 26.(Danielle Villasana for NPR)
At some point in our World Cup travels, as NPR journeyed from city to city talking to fans and watching games, producer L...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jasmine Garsd | NPR at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). 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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