‘Spanish style’ wins over New York’s die-hard World Cup fans ahead of final

In Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, Robert Sanfiz, who oversees the Spanish Benevolent Society known as La Nacional, has been inundated with requests for World Cup final watch parties. The venue is already at capacity, a testament to the fervent support for Spain's national team.

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While the neighborhood’s one-time Spanish enclave has all but disappeared, “we still are there for Spaniards who miss home”.

La Nacional has served as a nightly gathering spot for supporters of 'La Roja' throughout the six-week tournament. Sanfiz credits Spain's 2010 World Cup victory with helping to revitalize the organization, which was established 150 years ago to assist new Spanish immigrants. "While the neighborhood’s one-time Spanish enclave has all but disappeared, 'we still are there for Spaniards who miss home'," Sanfiz said.

Recalling the tension of the 2010 final, Sanfiz noted that fans watched from the street as Spain secured its first championship. This year, he feels calmer due to the team's consistent performance, led by young striker Lamine Yamal and manager Luis de la Fuente's team-first approach. During games, Sanfiz admits to a subconscious habit of directing traffic, a distraction from the intense stress of watching the match itself.

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You know what I do during the game? I just sit out and direct traffic and make sure nobody gets hit. I subconsciously do that because my greater stress is the game itself.

Javier Vriz, a lifelong Spain fan who traveled from Chicago, described the experience of supporting Spain as knowing 'pain' due to past near misses. "There’s always this feeling that there’s no way it’s going to happen. But they just kept winning," he said. Vriz praised the team's consistent strategy, which favors positional dominance over individual stars, stating, "They never wavered from the Spanish style."

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To be a fan of Spain for that long is to know pain. There’s always this feeling that there’s no way it’s going to happen. But they just kept winning.

While Argentina's colors might be more visible across New York City, Spanish fans at venues like Mercado Little Spain, founded by chef Jose Andres, express an unmatched passion. This coalition of long-time supporters and new fans underscores the enduring connection to Spanish football culture in the city.

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They’ve been really consistent in their vision and in their approach and in their style. They never wavered from the Spanish style.