As excitement builds for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Sofia Vergara is reflecting on the passion, traditions, and memories that have shaped her love of the game.
The Colombian actress, who is serving as an ambassador for Telemundo's Spanish-language World Cup coverage, recently opened up about what makes the tournament so special for Latino fans.
© Backgrid/The Grosby GroupFor Vergara, soccer is about much more than what happens on the field. It's about family, culture, and the shared emotions that bring people together.
"This is a time to have fun, to be happy, to be at peace, to be companions, to be like brothers and sisters, and to be tolerant of one another. We are not enemies in the world; it's simply a sport," Vergara said during an interview with EFE.
Born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, the 'Modern Family' and 'Griselda' star admitted that the intensity with which soccer is experienced in Latin America is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
© SofiaVergara/IG"The passion, the energy, and what we have for this sport cannot be compared to what exists in this country," she said, referring to the United States.
Still, Vergara acknowledged that soccer's popularity continues to grow across the U.S., thanks in large part to the influence of Hispanic communities who have brought their love of the game with them.
When she thinks about the World Cup, the actress is immediately transported back to her childhood in Colombia.
© Mike Nowak"Whenever I think about the World Cup, I always think about how exciting it was when I lived in Colombia," she recalled.
For Vergara, the tournament is deeply tied to family traditions and memories shared with loved ones.
"We always love to eat, yell, argue, and celebrate. The World Cup is about being with family, having fun, and feeling the energy and excitement together," she said.
© Ben RadfordLooking back, Vergara fondly remembers the 1994 World Cup, which was hosted in the United States and featured some of Colombia's most iconic players, including Faustino Asprilla, René Higuita, and Carlos Valderrama.
"For us, they were like gods, and every match, every emotion from that World Cup was incredible," she said.
Naturally, Vergara will be cheering for Colombia throughout the competition.
© Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock"My favorite team has to be Colombia, of course," she shared. "And this year we have James Rodríguez. It seems like this could be his last World Cup, and that's going to be very emotional for Colombians."
Perhaps her most passionate comments came when discussing how she prefers to watch the sport. "It's not the same in English," Vergara explained.
"Hearing the goal call from the people we know, in our language, with our roots—everything belongs to us. For me, the emotion of soccer as a Latino has to be in Spanish, without a doubt."
For the actress, the World Cup remains one of the most powerful ways to celebrate culture, family, and community, no matter where in the world fans may be watching from.
