Photos: When the World Cup came to town

The Picture Show Photos: When the World Cup came to town July 17, 20267:17 AM ET By  Meredith Nierman As the World Cup moves toward its conclusion this weekend, these photographs from NPR station photographers look beyond the stadium pitches to the places where fans gathered to take in the games. At watch parties just outside the stadiums' gates, on street corners and in public parks and squares, these photos capture the rituals, anticipation, joy, disappointment and celebration that unfolded as the World Cup became, for a brief period, a part of local life. Accompanied by firsthand reflections from the photographers, these images offer a glimpse of how local communities gathered to share in the Cup, as well as the observations that stayed with the photographers who documented it. Guests in the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center's wave pool watch Norway play against Senegal on June 22 in Chula Vista, California. The resort was filled with young families for Father's Day, hoping to beat a heat wave, and as soon as the game came on, people began to gather around the screen. Riley Arthur/KPBS hide caption toggle caption Riley Arthur/KPBS In the first days of the Cup, I photographed a watch party that overtook downtown Chula Vista, Calif., with an estimated 25,000 people, so watching the game at the Gaylord resort felt comparatively subdued. After spending time photographing while bobbing in the water alongside swimmers merrily discussing the game, I left the pool to gather my things. Just before exiting, I looked back and was struck by the surreal juxtaposition in front of me: an artificial beach, a giant screen, two teams from halfway around the world and local fans cheering with the enthusiasm usually reserved for our home MLS and NWSL teams (San Diego FC and San Diego Wave FC)! I rushed to find my camera so I could capture this scene that felt uniquely San Diego County. — Riley Arthur, KPBS U.S. fans gather to watch their team rout Paraguay 4-1 during t...