In our World Cup watch parties, there is no such thing as “larpers.”
If you’re not familiar with chronically online Gen Z slang, a “larper” is someone who fakes an identity or interest in order to fit in with a crowd, a term frequently used by experienced soccer fans to make fun of clueless newcomers.
But in the Great Room, I watched the tournament with dozens of other die-hard fans like myself. We all collectively groaned when the United States were knocked out of the tournament. We all laughed at the Erling Haaland memes and “the Mbappé special.” Our unbreakable bond culminated when we went crazy after Spain took the edge over Argentina in the World Cup final.
Of course, I loved hanging out with other invested supporters. But I also loved explaining to new fans what the yellow card was or — God forbid — the offside rule. In just a single match, even the casual onlookers became die-hard fans. We were all united by the hype of the greatest tournament in soccer.
Within just days of the program, the watch parties are what made the World Cup so special for me this year. The high fives, the laughter, yelling “FOUL!” at the referee behind the screen — these were the moments when we made new friends.
No wonder why people call it “the beautiful game.”
