An ear splitting cheer erupts as students celebrate a soccer goal. Tens of students whisper to each other as they sit tightly packed together around a single computer. A shot is made and a loud sigh is heard as the ball goes wide of the net. 

This is what the second floor lounge has looked like during recent World Cup games. 

The World Cup kicked off Nov. 20 in Qatar featuring 32 countries in a bracket-style format. It is estimated that around 5 billion people tuned in to watch the 2022 World Cup, setting records for FIFA.  

The number of students watching the World Cup games in class and out of class has set a new precedent for viewers at Lab, uniting students over one activity.

“A lot of the talk is about it and a lot of people are watching it, in and out of class,” junior Sohail Sajdeh said. 

Due to the games being scheduled during school hours, many teachers have been allowing students to watch the World Cup in class on the terms that they do not distract other students. Some teachers seem to be avid followers, even talking to students about who they are rooting for between periods.

“I know some friends have had a teacher that will allow them to watch in class. Sometimes if we have a chill class the teacher will let us do what we want, and maybe if it’s a work period we can watch,” Sohail said. 

Sophomore Raza Zaidi, an avid soccer player, has been watching the World Cup since 2014 and has noticed that a lot more students are watching the World Cup during class but mostly in their free time.

“During advisory we were able to watch the World Cup game and sometimes in class we are allowed to watch them,” Raza said. “I think it’s great when teachers allow us to watch the World Cup, but I also feel that we should be able to do our normal schoolwork.”

The World Cup presents an opportunity for many Lab students to come together over a single topic. The event is also very inclusive for new soccer fans, allowing people to jump on the bandwagon. Many enjoy watching the games with their friends even if they don’t actively play or follow the sport.

“I think it’s really cool and interesting how everyone is talking about it,” Sohail said. “Sometimes you will walk through a hallway and people on your left and right will be talking about the World Cup or even watching it, and I think it’s really good for the community that everyone is connected together through this one thing that unites everyone and the sport.”