Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers experienced her first FIFA World Cup match this past weekend, attending the group-stage game between Japan and the Netherlands at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Despite being sidelined with an ankle sprain, Bueckers joined her teammates to watch the thrilling 2-2 draw on Sunday.
Although this marked her initial encounter with the World Cup, Bueckers is no stranger to professional soccer. In septembre of last year, she witnessed a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) match in Los Angeles between Angel City and the Washington Spirit, which also ended in a 2-2 tie. The following month, she attended a Premier League fixture where Arsenal edged out Crystal Palace 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
WNBA Star Paige Bueckers Reacts to FIFA World Cup Game
“They asked us to come to a game and we all said yes, of course,” Bueckers shared with reporters, describing the experience as the first World Cup event she had ever enjoyed. The atmosphere, energized by thousands of passionate fans traveling from Japan and the Netherlands, left a significant impression on her.
“To see the fan support from all across the world, it was really cool,” she added, highlighting the global enthusiasm that defines the tournament.
Looking ahead, Bueckers expressed her intention to watch some of the World Cup’s biggest stars, including France’s Kylian Mbappé and Argentina’s Lionel Messi. Nevertheless, she emphasized that her primary support remains with Team USA throughout the competition.