Iraqi fans made their voices heard on the Boston Common Monday, celebrating their team’s first World Cup appearance in 40 years.

World Cup Excitement in Boston

When Iraq faces Norway at Boston Stadium Tuesday, it will be the team’s first World Cup appearance since 1986. Fans were out in full force on Boston Common on the eve of the match, showcasing their team spirit.

Mohammed Al-Falahi, an Iraqi journalist living in the U.S. and covering the team, said he believes it’s a great opportunity to show the world how much we all have in common. “They play, they dance. That’s the Iraqi people, not what we saw on TV,” Al-Falahi said. “You think Iraqi just love life in war? Iraqi people love soccer.”

While every fan will acknowledge the challenges the world faces, they also look to the World Cup as a reminder of what it means to come together. “You can forget about the politics. You can forget about all the trauma that’s happening back home,” one woman said.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.