Why US Hispanic fans love late-night CONMEBOL qualifiers
It's 12:30 a.m. on the US East Coast, but lights are still on in many Latino households. Why? A CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier is reaching its dramatic final minutes.
For fans with roots in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and beyond, these matches are unmissable. They connect them directly to family stories and memories from back home.
"I'll be tired at work, but it's worth it," says Daniel, a Colombian living in New Jersey. "My dad used to wake me up for these games when I was a kid."
Sports bars that cater to Latino communities often stay open late on these nights, turning into mini-stadiums full of flags and chants.
As streaming platforms improve access to these matches, the bond between US Hispanics and South American fútbol only gets stronger.
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