World Cup Fans Get Their Kicks at Training

Westmont hosted an exclusive community training session for Qatar’s national football team June 4 on Thorrington Field. Having arrived on campus the prior Sunday to begin their closed training block, the event marked the team’s first and only public session before the tournament begins.

The event brought together more than 400 local community members, including enthusiastic students from Franklin Elementary and Santa Barbara High School. Attendees were treated to a dynamic 4-on-4 soccer-tennis exhibition by the Qatar players, who generously concluded the session by autographing and handing out jerseys and scarves to young fans.

Tommy Azury, who works for Mercer Advisors, brought his son, Luke, to the workout. “This is an awesome experience to see some of the best players in the world right here in our backyard, and it’s great to see a bunch of kids out here as well,” Tommy said. 

Pedro Guillen, a 6th Grade teacher at Franklin Elementary School, was wearing a Paris Saint-Germain FC jersey with Qatar Airlines emblazoned on the front. “This is a valuable opportunity for not only myself, but for the students who are here to see how this team plays and how each player performs,” he said. 

Pietro Nascente Tessari, a standout on the Santa Barbara High boys soccer team, was interested in watching Qatar defender Lucas Mendes at the practice. “They have experience because they played in the last World Cup, and they have an easier group compared to other teams,” Tessari said. “They can definitely get out of their group.”

Dos Pueblos High School goalie Isaac Jimenez, who has committed to play men’s soccer at Westmont, said he had looked up the players online before the workout and was excited to meet them in person. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and a big moment for the community and the college, knowing that we have facilities similar to pitches in the big cities,” he said.

Kershaw Rupp had a chance encounter with several of the Qatar players the day before at Target in Goleta. “It said Qatar on the back of their shirts and they looked like soccer players, so I said, ‘Are you from the Qatar national team?’ And they said, ‘Yeah,’ and I said, ‘I’m going to see you practice tomorrow,’” said Rupp, who brought a small Qatar flag for the team to autograph. 

As an official team base camp training site for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Westmont is proud to bridge global sports culture with our local Santa Barbara community. The Maroons will kick off their World Cup tournament against Switzerland on June 13 in the San Francisco Bay Area.