The power of soccer knows no bounds. No other sport, not baseball or cricket or basketball, can come close to soccer\u2019s global popularity. In just about every corner of the world\u2014from East African nations like Tanzania and Kenya to the American metropolises of Chicago and New York City\u2014soccer brings people together like glue: Its spirit affixes itself to one\u2019s heart and soul, providing individuals with a sense of place and pride and community regardless of where they may be residing, at home or away or somewhere in between.<\/p>\n
World Cup matches are well underway, and five recent immigrants to the U.S. \u2014 Tolu Odeba, Mohamed Abdulla, Frank Ebere, Olivier Marambo, and Hassani Papin \u2014 will all be cheering on their home teams. But they won\u2019t be doing it alone. They say soccer has helped them feel more at home in this country as they bond with each other and find their place in the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe talk all the time about soccer, says Abdulla, mentioning a few of their favorite teams. \u201cI\u2019m a fan of Arsenal. They are fans of Chelsea and Manchester United. Sometimes it gets competitive.\u201d<\/p>\n
One other thing that brings they together: They\u2019re all employees at WeWork, hired through the company\u2019s Refugee Initiative<\/a>. They are among the more than 150 recent immigrants who are working at various locations in the U.S., the UK, and Latin America.<\/p>\nCheering for their team<\/h2>\n