The excitement surrounding Argentina’s FIFA World Cup quarterfinal against Switzerland extended well beyond the stadium on Saturday, as the cast of Apple TV’s hit series Ted Lasso joined football fans in Kansas City to celebrate the tournament.
According to AP, actor Jason Sudeikis, who plays the fictional AFC Richmond manager Ted Lasso, hosted a World Cup watch party at CPKC Stadium while Lionel Messi’s Argentina faced Switzerland at nearby Arrowhead Stadium for a place in the semifinals.
Sudeikis said his appreciation for football had grown significantly since working on the series. He also revealed that many scenes from the upcoming fourth season, which premieres on 5 August, were filmed across Kansas City, including CPKC Stadium, home of the National Women’s Soccer League club Kansas City Current.
Juno Temple, who portrays Keeley Jones, said she was particularly excited that the new season would centre on AFC Richmond’s newly formed women’s team. She added that she hopes audiences will appreciate the show’s renewed focus on women’s football.
Brendan Hunt, who plays Coach Beard and also serves as one of the show’s writers, said Ted Lasso had introduced football to many viewers who previously knew little about the sport. Comparing the current World Cup with the tournament hosted by the United States in 1994, he said American fans are now far more engaged with football than they were three decades ago.
Hunt also joked that the timing of the show’s return shortly after the World Cup was more than a coincidence.
