Delegates at a Republican convention in Houston showed little interest in the World Cup matches unfolding nearby, according to reporters covering the gathering Friday.
Party activists focused on platform debates and candidate speeches while soccer fans elsewhere in the city packed bars for opening-round fixtures.
Political strategists said the disconnect reflects long-standing regional sports preferences rather than any organized boycott of the international tournament.
Convention hall televisions largely stayed tuned to domestic news and campaign programming rather than live match feeds from local World Cup venues.
Analysts noted that Texas hosts several tournament games later in the month, which could still draw conservative-leaning suburban audiences once knockout stakes rise.
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Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/13/no-soccer-fans-here-world-cup-fever-fails-to-grip-texas-republicans