'I love America!': With the World Cup, Inglewood becomes an international hub

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Daiki Kaneko had only 24 hours before his World Cup journey took him to Dallas, where his home country’s squad will take on Sweden.The Japanese soccer fan was making the most of it on Tuesday in Inglewood, snapping pictures of SoFi Stadium before taking in a different kind of monument: a space-age, two-story branch of the chicken chain Raising Cane’s, complete with a 308-square-foot screen, a mirrored dog sculpture and a massive halo hovering around the exterior.For Kaneko, 25, who lives in the Tokyo suburbs, it was the perfect encapsulation of American grandeur.

“All this for chicken,” he said.“I love America.”Inglewood is already diverse — most residents are Latino or Black, and nearly a third are immigrants.

But during the World Cup, it’s looking more like the United Nations.English, Japanese, Swiss, Iranians, Paraguayans, Bosnians, Belgians and others are flocking to the city of about 102,000, where eight matches are being played at SoFi Stadium.

Though visitors from abroad may not have heard of Inglewood until now, they’re soaking up the vibes of a city that has long been a major sports and entertainment hub, home to venues such as the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome, and a crucible of Black culture, immortalized in hip-hop songs by artists such as Tupac Shakur and Dr.Dre.“We’re an international city now,” Mayor James Butts said.Butts said locals were already proud of what the city has become, but the World Cup has put the celebratory feelings over the top.“We have people from so many different countries migrating to Inglewood, and there’s an explosive sense of community pride,” he said.City officials are doing everything they can to embrace the spirit of the tournament, including speeding up permits so small businesses and neighborhoods can hold World Cup gatherings and watch parties, Butts said.

During the U.S.’s opening match against Paraguay o...