La Nacional and the Legacy of 2010
For Robert Sanfiz, who oversees the Spanish Benevolent Society in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, the current World Cup run feels like a familiar, high-stakes chapter in a long history. The organization, known as La Nacional, has served as a hub for Spanish immigrants for 150 years. According to reporting by Al Jazeera, the group’s resurgence is tied closely to Spain’s historic 2010 World Cup victory in South Africa.
Sanfiz recalls the tension of that 2010 championship, where supporters watched through the society’s windows as Spain claimed its first title. Today, the venue is booked to capacity for the final. Despite the excitement, Sanfiz admits he manages his own nerves by focusing on the logistics of the event rather than the match itself.
Tactical Consistency and the ‘Spanish Style’
Fans credit the national team’s success to a steady commitment to a specific brand of football. Unlike teams that rely on a single superstar, Spain has maintained a focus on positional dominance and a team-first philosophy under manager Luis de la Fuente. Javier Vriz, a 38-year-old fan who traveled from Chicago, noted that the team’s persistence has been a defining trait.
Shifting Loyalties Among New York Supporters
The tournament has also seen Spain gain a new coalition of supporters, often referred to as World Cup orphans
—fans whose primary teams were eliminated earlier in the competition. This shift is partially fueled by regional dynamics and the personalities of the players involved.
For more on this story, see 2026 World Cup: June 24 Results and Today’s Match Schedule.
Rolando Sanchez, a Bronx resident who previously supported the Mexican national team, pointed to the current state of international allegiances as a factor in his support for Spain. A lot of Mexican fans have been hating on Argentina,
Sanchez said, noting that while he respects Lionel Messi, he views the current Spanish squad as the future of the sport.
Support for Spain has also been bolstered by the diverse backgrounds of its key players. Striker Lamine Yamal, 19, has strong ties to Morocco, while his mother hails from Equatorial Guinea. Winger Nico Williams’s parents are from Ghana. These connections have helped build bridges in New York City’s diverse neighborhoods, including Brooklyn’s Little Palestine and among the city’s West African communities.
Social and Political Resonance
Beyond the pitch, the Spanish government’s recent policies have influenced how the team is perceived by diaspora communities in the United States. Observers have noted that Spain’s approach to labor integration and its recognition of Palestinian statehood have generated goodwill. This stands in contrast to the harder-line migration stances taken by other European nations, fostering a perception of Spain as a more inclusive environment. As the final approaches, these cultural and political connections have turned the team into a broader symbol for many fans who see the squad as a reflection of their own values.