\n Entrepreneur Abteen Vaziri, left, and Create Church Lead Pastor Ryan Binkley join Sarah Zubiate Bennett on Let\u2019s Talk Local to discuss FIFA, faith and Dallas\u2019 global moment. | Image by DX <\/p>\n
North Texas is preparing to host its ninth and final World Cup match Tuesday, but two Dallas-area leaders say the tournament\u2019s impact reaches beyond what happens on the field.<\/p>\n
Entrepreneur Abteen Vaziri and Create Church Lead Pastor Ryan Binkley joined Sarah Zubiate Bennett on Let\u2019s Talk Local<\/a> to discuss how the World Cup is giving international visitors a firsthand look at Dallas, Texas hospitality and American life.<\/p>\n North Texas will host more World Cup matches than any other host market, with its ninth and final match, a semifinal at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, set for Tuesday, as previously reported<\/a> by The Dallas Express.<\/p>\n A family story shaped by soccer and Iran<\/p>\n Vaziri traced his connection to soccer to his grandfather, who he said played goalkeeper for Iran\u2019s national team and the Crown team in the 1950s.<\/p>\n He also recounted why his grandfather dumped his medals and trophies into the ocean after Iran\u2019s revolution. Vaziri said the family history continues to shape his complicated feelings about Iran\u2019s national team.<\/p>\n At the same time, he said the tournament has allowed international visitors to experience America for themselves.<\/p>\n \u201cThe food is great. Everyone\u2019s welcoming. Everything\u2019s nice and clean and safe. We have the best stadiums in the world,\u201d Vaziri said.<\/p>\n Sports, faith and common ground<\/p>\n Binkley said sports give people a chance to connect without first sorting one another by politics.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not as divided as we think,\u201d Binkley said.<\/p>\n Binkley said Create Church has sent evangelism teams to World Cup watch parties, where members meet visitors, offer prayer and share their faith with those who are interested.<\/p>\n He described hospitality as a way to show visitors that Dallas cares about them, while Vaziri shared stories about international fans discovering North Texas barbecue and other parts of local culture.<\/p>\n The World Cup discussion is only one part of a wider episode covering faith, business, artificial intelligence, Iran and the future of America.<\/p>\n