A pall of anxiety settled over Concord Craft Brewing.
Off-duty employees and former members of the brewery’s mens soccer league watched the United States’ confrontation with Belgium in the World Cup unfold. Some gnawed on their fingernails, others widened their eyes and hung their heads in dismay as the game marched on, minute by minute.
The 2026 World Cup has fascinated and enthralled audiences all over the globe. In central New Hampshire, emotions have run high as foreign countries have gone head-to-head — and as the U.S. advanced through the championship, ultimately falling to Belgium on Monday night.
For teams that have gone down fighting, defeat has brought devastation as well as a measure of pride.
Kemal Mehic and Jasmina Smajic-Mehic beamed with joy for their country as they looked up at the big screen at the Northeast Delta Dental Stadium last Wednesday.
The home of the Fisher Cats screened the United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina match, which filled with jerseys of blue and yellow, owing to the large Bosnian community living in and around Manchester.
Bosnian players fell 2-0 to their American opponents, failing to advance past the round of 32, but the loss couldn’t diminish Mehic and Smajic-Mehic’s patriotism. Bosnia has only existed as a sovereign nation for about 34 years. The World Cup has helped the couple feel more connected to their young country.
“For me, the World Cup is something that brings all the countries together. We put the politics by the sides and it’s just the people,” Smajic-Mehic said. “I love that because, usually, the politics that control everything and everyone, but when it’s the World Cup and football, it’s only the real people.”
Taylor Fisher, the stadium’s general manager wanted to host watch parties to foster a sense of community among local soccer fans.
The outpouring of enthusiasm took him by surprise.
“I had no clue there was such a rich Bosnian community in the greater Manchester,” he said, “I would say probably 99% of the fans here right now are from the Bosnian community with their flags and jerseys; that’s awesome.”
Bosnia’s presence in the World Cup is significant to Mehic and Smajic-Mehic, especially as they see smaller countries make their debut or face off against well-established opponents on a global stage.
“Games like this mean a lot to us, to small countries like that, and I’m really happy because I see other small countries in the World Cup that are playing, too,” said Smajic-Mehic.
Her husband even expressed gratitude for Bosnia’s opportunity to play the U.S.
“We’re happy with whatever the result is at the end of the game,” he said.
Scott Zipke, a part-time bartender at Concord Craft and soccer coach in Hopkinton, views watch parties as opportunities to foster game-day excitement for local viewers who may not have been able to attend a game in-person.
“It’s just fun to get everybody together who likes a good soccer game and likes to cheer,” he said. “I can’t afford to go to any of the games, but getting a big group together is sort of the same energy.”
