Boca Juniors has taken center stage in South Florida, playing two of its three group-stage matches in the FIFA Club World Cup. The Argentinian club's dedicated fans have made their presence unmistakably felt.
In their opening match, a thrilling 2-2 draw against Benfica, the Hard Rock Stadium buzzed with an announced attendance of 55,574, predominantly filled with Boca supporters. The following game saw Boca face Bayern Munich, where 63,587 fans, again mostly in blue and yellow, witnessed a 2-1 defeat.
Miami-Dade County has transformed into a Boca Juniors stronghold, with supporters gathering in droves on local beaches and even singing in nearby Walmarts.
Sammy Icarina, a lifelong Boca fan, expressed his unwavering loyalty. "I am a Boca fanatic. I'm 76 now, so imagine how long I've been a fan for. The minute the tickets came out I bought them," he shared.
The fervor surrounding Boca Juniors is palpable among its loyalists. "It is always like this," remarked Daniel Mata, who traveled from Argentina specifically for the matches.
Silvana Gomez, a regular at Boca's iconic Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, noted that such traveling support is both typical and expected. "Whether we go to Japan, Rio de Janeiro, wherever Boca plays we are always there," she stated.
Security has been tight at the stadium, with Miami-Dade police present at multiple checkpoints. Despite the new procedures, passionate Boca fans have not encountered any issues, and no incidents have been reported. "For now I think (the security) is five stars, everything has been good, the police, the security, everything," Icarina commented.
Notably, only Boca Juniors and Real Madrid have sold out their group-stage matches thus far.
After helping Bayern secure victory over Boca, star striker Harry Kane acknowledged the challenges posed by such fervent supporters. "I expected them to be loud like they were, but it was an incredible atmosphere; I loved playing in front of them, one of the best in my career," Kane reflected.
On the field, Boca Juniors and their South American counterparts have held their own against European giants. Six South American teams are participating in this expanded Club World Cup, each bringing tens of thousands of fans to their games.
South American clubs began this tournament without a defeat in their first nine matches, achieving victories against European heavyweights like Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea while securing draws against Borussia Dortmund, Benfica, and Porto.
"We want our people to know that we are grateful for their support and it helps us play better," said Boca Juniors defender Ayrton Costa following Friday night's match.
Despite not winning in regulation over their last six games, the unwavering spirit of Boca's fans remains a constant source of motivation.
