The International Student Association’s World Cup event kicked off its annual Extravaganza Week with a soccer tournament that brought students together from across the globe.
Those participating in the game formed teams based on global regions they identified with — a way to simulate World Cup competitors — said event lead Areeb Atheeque ’25, who was on the winning team. After a fierce competition, Asia 1 came out on top.
“It’s changed my life for the better,” said James Pfaff ’27 of playing soccer with an international community.
Pfaff played for North America 1, but he has lived in England, Switzerland and Singapore. He described soccer as a way to overcome language barriers.
“Nearly everybody in the world can play,” Pfaff said. “Soccer uniquely allows you to be yourself regardless of language, culture.”
Carson Belaire ‘27 played for the Middle East team.
“We just lost, but I don’t feel bad about it, because I lost with my good friends and we put in a good fight,” Belaire said. He added that “feeling welcome” was one of the reasons he came out to play.
“It’s a worldwide sport that really connects everyone from every country,” Belaire said of soccer.
Other players echoed the same feeling about the sport.
“Most of them grew up playing soccer,” said Jessi Kleiber ‘27, who was a spectator. “It’s their football.”
“I’m glad I get to be a part of it,” she added.
Atheeque and Paolo Garcia ’27 spearheaded the event. Atheeque said he grew up playing soccer, but didn’t feel the club soccer group at Lafayette was well organized, so he built his own.
“We created a pickup group and the pickup group grew,” Atheeque said. “It eventually evolved into this.”
The president of the organization during the 2022-2023 academic year started Lafayette’s World Cup, according to Atheeque.
“If you like soccer, if you want to play soccer, just want to represent your country, or if you just want to come and watch a bunch of kids play, pull up, bring a flag,” Atheeque said.
Extravaganza Week also includes a poetry night, a lecture, a storytelling event, a fashion show, a food tasting and the grand finale: a talent show at the Williams Center for the Arts on Saturday at 6 p.m.
A correction was made on April 27, 2025: A previous version of this article incorrectly referred to the International Students Association as the “International Students Organization.”