Matthew Stafford on FIFA World Cup: 'Cool to See International Crowd'

Super Bowl-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams attended his first FIFA World Cup match at the stadium he calls home, SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Speaking to FIFA after the match, Stafford described the experience of witnessing a global tournament at his home venue.

International Atmosphere at SoFi Stadium

Stafford, who led the Rams to victory in Super Bowl LVI and was named NFL Most Valuable Player, noted the unique energy of a World Cup crowd. "It's great energy, having an international crowd is a lot of fun... to hear different languages and see people from all over the world. My daughters are here with me, so to experience that is pretty cool," he said.

He contrasted the atmosphere with NFL games, saying, "It's a different crowd — it's a more continuous cheering in this brand of football than the one we have. But it's a cool deal."

Match Highlights and Post-Game Role

The match, which saw Türkiye secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over the United States with a last-gasp goal, captivated the 38-year-old quarterback. Stafford participated in the post-match ceremonies by presenting the Superior Player of the Match award to Türkiye star Arda Guler.

Stafford expressed enthusiasm for the tournament's impact on the United States. "It's been really fun — people in America are rallying around the boys with the hot start that they've had, but it's also fun for us to welcome people from all over the world to see what we're all about. I think people are hopefully having a good time," he said.

The United States men's national team has qualified for the Round of 32, where they will face Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stafford's comments reflect the growing excitement around the World Cup in Los Angeles and across the country.