Fan Fiction: A Field Guide to World Cup Super Fans

After this past summer’s World Cup, millions of viewers have evaluated which teams were the best, who had the most infectious energy, and who had the most fun on the pitch. But few took a serious look at the fans. A team’s most fervent supporters can reveal a lot about their nation—and the crowds themselves.

Let us think about you and me—fierce soccer fans, of course. How many times has your country qualified for the World Cup? Messi or Ronaldo? Soccer or fútbol? What we support often reflects who we are, our nationality, and our patriotism. Maybe you pick something to be performative, or maybe you have been watching since you were five; either way, every team comes with a stereotype.

Forget the weird Reddit threads. At the “Harvard Independent,” we skipped vague descriptions of each team’s culture and fanbase and got straight to what fans in each country do during a game.

England

No matter the game, the stakes, or even the team, you can always count on fans of England’s national soccer team to belt “It’s Coming Home” with as much conviction as possible. Well, except for the fans there only for Jude Bellingham—they might know only “Hey Jude.” England’s fans are nothing if not passionate—so much so that they are no longer allowed to drink within the sight of the pitch. All of this abhorrent behavior happens while they munch on salt-and-vinegar “chips” packaged in a newspaper. Finally, we cannot forget “squeaky bum time,” the tense, high-pressure closing stages of a game when the outcome remains dangerously uncertain. Let us just say the English are no strangers to squeaky bum time. Just ask any Arsenal fan in April.

Egypt

Mo Salah is a national institution for Egyptian fans. Everyone is personally invested in his hamstrings, his beard, and his Ballon d’Or snubs. Now every hero needs an arch-nemesis, and for Egypt fans, Sergio Ramos has been public enemy number one since 2018. Rest assured, they will never forget the time he injured Salah’s shoulder right before the World Cup, and fans bring it up whenever Real Madrid or Ramos comes up. In Egypt, the cafe is the stadium; hundreds of plastic chairs line the streets as fans sip tea, puff shisha, and shout tactical instructions at the television (the coach can hear in spirit).

Colombia

Colombia has a lively, passionate fanbase; that said, they definitely have a reputation. No Colombian fan has ever been wrong, and every red or yellow card is highway robbery by the referee. You will definitely hear “el árbitro” if you listen closely when the cards come out. Penalty shots matter more than anything, and don’t forget: you cannot cross your fingers or your legs; contrary to popular belief, it is bad luck! No matter what happens in any Colombia game, every fan will hold onto the fleeting excellence of the 2014 World Cup; it is the best run ever. Every year it is “este año sí” (this year yes), because each year gives Colombia fans a new chance to prove their loyalty is worth it.

Japan

Arguably the proudest team in the world, Japan is a tough act to follow because of its top-tier fans. As organized as their home nation, they arrive on time, cry in victory or defeat, and leave the stadium cleaner than they found it (sometimes with origami cranes), making every other team look bad by comparison. Packing blue garbage bags is just as essential as bringing the jersey. Though they are the underdogs, they are not to be underestimated; after major upsets in the 2022 World Cup, every Japan fan is quietly confident something big is coming.

Argentina

Messi is a saint; Maradona is a God. We mean that literally, and Argentina does too. For Argentina fans, soccer is a religion, and like every religion, it comes with its own rituals and superstitions. You can’t show up to a game without a paper figurine of the enemy (Brazil’s best players) frozen in your fridge; how else will you freeze their performance on the pitch? There will never be an Argentina game where “anulo mufa” is not shouted consistently; it translates to “cancel the jinx,” because anything that could jeopardize the team’s success must be warded off. Of course, it does not work when the danger is the players themselves.

Italy

Every Italian fan leads with passion and a little bit of drama. The best way to strike them down is to snap spaghetti in front of them, but there is no guarantee they will get back up (ask the Albanians). A true win for the Italians is a 1-0 success built on defense, but if you ask them, it is an art form. Every foul is a Shakespearean tragedy, and every fan is a tactical expert as soon as the clock starts counting down.

Morocco

People watch the games in the streets, not in the stands. Even if you think this is like Egypt, every Moroccan fan will insist you are wrong. Cafes are the place to be, but Moroccan fans know how to have fun even when they cannot get in—you will find people sitting atop their cars, praying they can hear the game’s details outside. After every win, uncles and aunties of any age will charge into the water to celebrate another victory.

Norway

No fanbase is complete without Norway’s Vikings. You will hear the stadium shout “Ro!” before every game, and it will make you wish you were rooting for them instead. The Big Friendly Giant is Erling Haaland, who some fans have said is “just running around undiagnosed,” but they’d never want to see a Norway team without him. Fans are especially excited to see Norway in a World Cup; after all, it was slowly becoming a legend told by sweet grandmothers and sleepy grandfathers.

United States

No matter what, no U.S. fan will ever budge on the word “soccer,” even after learning that it actually comes from British slang. Americans are perfectly happy defending a British word if it means they get to reserve the word “football” for the sport with helmets. Game day looks a lot like any other American sporting event: tailgates, foam fingers, and trucks the size of a New York City studio. The only confusion comes when the clock counts up, and Katy Perry doesn’t appear at halftime. Many fans are perplexed at the concept of a game ending in a tie. No need to worry; if all else fails, U.S. fans can always remind you that their women’s team has four World Cup titles … four more than the men have ever won.

No matter which country you support during the World Cup, we hope soccer—sorry—fútbol fans felt represented in this piece. No worries if we missed your country this time around; the “Harvard Independent” will always be here to generate another list of satirical stereotypes that come along with your fanbase. See you in four years!

Salma Gheith ’30 (salmagheith@college.harvard.edu) is comping the “Harvard Independent.”