A family bound by faith and a lifelong passion for soccer is gearing up for an unforgettable summer in Kansas City, Missouri.
Maria Baker, her daughter Cristina Cowan, and Cowan’s cousin Caryn Moore have watched World Cup matches together for years, turning each tournament into a ritual of prayer and cheering.
This year they will watch four games at Arrowhead Stadium, including the Netherlands versus Tunisia, Algeria versus Austria, and a quarter‑final clash, all part of a schedule that blends sport with community.
Volunteering at the FIFA Fan Festival
Beyond the stands, the trio will serve as volunteers at the FIFA Fan Festival outside the National WWI Museum and Memorial, sharing their enthusiasm with fellow supporters.
Cowan, a former competitive soccer player who once starred as a center midfielder for Avila University, brings a player’s perspective to the experience, while Moore’s ticket win through FIFA’s lottery system allowed the family to bring additional relatives along.
Their volunteer work is rooted in the same spirit of service that guides their regular attendance at Mass at Church of the Nativity, a parish that has been a cornerstone of their spiritual life.
The family looks forward to meeting other fans, feeling the electric atmosphere of the tournament, and creating new memories that will be added to a long tradition of soccer‑filled gatherings.