As the World Cup begins, players from Fordham’s Division I men’s and women’s soccer teams are getting ready to cheer on their favorite teams on the world stage.
Both teams have reasons to celebrate as they head into the summer. The men’s soccer team finished the 2025 season with an 8-6-4 overall record, securing the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic 10 Championship. The women’s team posted a 10-7-3 overall record and clinched a spot in the Atlantic 10 Championship as well. Both teams were recognized by the NCAA for high academic achievement.
As the games get underway, here’s a look at who some of Fordham’s soccer players will be rooting for in the World Cup:
- Major: Business Administration—Marketing
- Hometown: Riverside, Connecticut
- Position: Forward
- Favorite Fordham Class: Marketing
Originally from Argentina, Acosta’s support is firmly with her home country.
“I stay closely connected to my family and Argentine culture. I love the food, traditions, and sense of community, and soccer is obviously a huge part of everyday life there,” said Acosta, a rising junior.
A longtime admirer of Lionel Messi, Acosta is looking forward to seeing him play in this World Cup.
- Major: Finance
- Hometown: Roslyn, New York
- Position: Midfielder
- Favorite Fordham class: The Ground Floor course at the Gabelli School of Business
Kolega is cheering for both the United States and Croatia. With deep family ties to Croatia, he said he visits every summer and was there for the country’s unexpectedly successful World Cup run in 2018, when they placed second.
“A country with less than 4 million people placing in the top three of the last two World Cups just shows how much heart they play with. You can’t count them out of the World Cup this year,” said Kolega, a rising sophomore.
This year, he’s most looking forward to watching legendary Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić, who is most likely playing in his last World Cup.
- Major: Finance with a concentration in alternative investments
- Hometown: Colts Neck, New Jersey
- Position: Defender
- Favorite Fordham class: Investments and Securities Analysis
Cappellini is rooting for both the United States and Colombia, but says Japan is a dark horse team to watch. The rising senior will be keeping an eye on Colombian left winger Luis Díaz as a dynamic attacking threat.
- Major: International Studies
- Hometown: Croton-on-Hudson, New York
- Position: Midfielder
Johnsen is backing Sweden because she’s part Swedish, though the rising senior notes Denmark would’ve split her loyalty if they had qualified. She’s also excited to watch French player Désiré Doué after his recent Champions League success.
While she’s rooting for Sweden, Johnsen sees Switzerland as a team that could quietly advance.
“They have solid players who play on talented clubs,” Johnsen said.
- Major: Finance with a minor in business law
- Hometown: Glen Head, New York
- Position: Defender
- Favorite Fordham class: Legal Framework of Business
Giannola is a rising junior rooting for both the United States and Portugal, drawn in part by stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafael Leão. He’s also excited to watch young talent like Turkey’s Kenan Yıldız.
His dark horse pick is Norway.
“They have a talented core of players and could surprise a lot of people if big players like Haaland and Ødegaard rise to the occasion,” Giannola said.
- Major: Finance
- Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
- Position: Midfielder
- Favorite Fordham class: Macroeconomics
Mercedes is rooting for Spain and is especially looking forward to seeing Spanish midfielder Pedro González López (AKA Pedri) play. The rising sophomore points to Germany as a potential dark horse team to watch.
- Major: Finance
- Hometown: Staten Island, New York
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Favorite Fordham class: Investments and Security Analysis
Perelman is supporting Team USA. The rising senior is particularly interested in seeing Reece James reunite with English coach Thomas Tuchel on the international stage.
Turkey and Norway are his sleeper picks.
“Turkey has a lot of promising young talent, such as Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız,” Perelman said. “This is Erling Haaland’s first World Cup with Norway, and I believe he will rise to the occasion.”
