WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Spotlight : IT’S A GAME, NOT A HUNGER STRIKE

The scale of the party Britain’s footballers failed to show up for is becoming apparent. This is a World Cup more complete than any other; complete in the sense of the joy being contributed from all of the world’s continents and in the rising stimulation from vast, near-full stadiums, with between 50,000 and 90,000 people, giving this a unique American flavor. . . .

Above all, there is the realization among the host country that this was the game, the experience, that millions of America’s ethnic groups have been waiting to celebrate. . . . We have come quite a way from June 17, when the attention span of the corporate box-holders at the opening ceremony and the Germany-Bolivia game distracted genuine fans with their personal timeouts, their dire need for popcorn and liquid refreshment.