Fans in Philadelphia cheer for Iraq and France ahead of World Cup match

Millions of viewers around the world are expected to turn their attention to Philadelphia on Monday night as the city hosts one of its most anticipated World Cup matchups: Iraq versus France. The game is set for the Philadelphia Stadium, though storms threaten to disrupt the event.

>For many local fans, the match is about far more than soccer. Two Philadelphia residents - one from Iraq and one from France - say the game carries deep personal meaning as they prepare to cheer for opposite sides.

>Mohammed Aljumaili, who moved from Iraq to Philadelphia 21 years ago, said support for his home team is unwavering. "We have 46 million Iraqis and 46 million Iraqis support our team," he said.

>Aljumaili said he has "high big hopes" for Iraq's performance. "I think they are going to do well. We saw their last friendly match with Spain and we tied up, so we are not scared," he said.

>He described soccer as a lifeline during a childhood shaped by conflict. "We didn't see anything of our childhood. Our childhood basically was just a war; gunshots, car bombs," he said. "The only enjoyment we had was sports, and the main sport we have is soccer."

>That passion, he said, has stayed with him into adulthood - and into this World Cup.

>Alexandre Quantin, who has lived in Philadelphia for 15 years, shares that same passion for France. "It is the biggest event in the world. For most countries in the world, soccer is the number one sport. It's a passion, it's a religion," he said.

>Quantin said nearly every child in France grows up with the sport. "As a kid. Almost every kid in France grows up with soccer....so I was playing 6 or 7 times a week, and it is part of the culture," he said.

>Both men said watching their home countries compete in the city they now share feels extraordinary. "To see my team here in Philadelphia, in my city, this is something big," Aljumaili said.

>Quantin agreed. "Being here in Philly in our backyard, it was the best thing that could ever happen," he said.

>Both fans will be in the stadium for the match. Quantin said his family and friends are traveling from France to join him. "We are going to have lunch at home first, then we are going to go to the game, tailgate, and show them the American experience," he said.

>Aljumaili said he feels fortunate to have secured a seat. "Oh, I am very excited. I am one of the few from the community to get tickets. I know there are so many that wish they had the tickets," he said.

>As the teams prepare to take the pitch, the two men - now Philadelphians - will be cheering from opposite sides, united only in their hope that their home country comes out on top.