Brazil and Morocco played their first World Cup 2026 match on the evening of 13/6 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, an area across the Hudson River from New York. However, the world's most populous city's attention was instead focused on a basketball game between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, which took place in Texas two and a half hours later.

This was game 5 in the best-of-seven NBA finals series between the two teams. The Knicks had won three of the four previous games, needing only to win one more game to secure their first NBA championship in 53 years.

"I'm not a soccer fan, so today is all about the Knicks, but the World Cup is also great," said David Rodriguez, 36, while watching football at a bar near Madison Square Garden, the Knicks' home arena.

Fans celebrate as the New York Knicks defeat the San Antonio Spurs in game 4 of the NBA finals on 10/6. *AFP*

Lucas Matuszewski, manager of a futsal court in Brooklyn, admitted the Knicks' appeal is overshadowing the World Cup, describing it as "completely understandable". Matuszewski explained, "New Yorkers have an immense love for basketball."

The match between Brazil and Morocco ended in a 1-1 draw. Another game played on US soil was between Scotland and Haiti at Boston Stadium, Massachusetts, at 9 p.m. on 13/6 (8 a.m. Hanoi time today).

"Scotland is playing around the same time as the Knicks. We'll probably miss that game, but we'll still follow the score," said Aidan Smith, 29, communications director for a Scottish football club. He wore a Knicks cap but was fully dressed in the Scottish national team's attire.

Smith continued, "I haven't seen much sign of World Cup fever. I've met a few Scottish compatriots, but I haven't felt a particularly vibrant atmosphere."

Fans outside the Frost Bank Center in Texas, where the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs played on the evening of 13/6. *AFP*

Despite the current focus, there are signs that businesses are preparing for a later wave of football enthusiasm. "I think things will definitely become extremely lively and wild, especially at this bar, because we are a bar for football fans," said Vanessa Whalen, owner of Black Bull in Brooklyn.

David McNamara, manager of The Rutherford bar near Madison Square Garden, confirmed he would definitely show the Knicks game at the bar because "there would probably be chaos if we didn't". However, the bar will also show all World Cup matches scheduled for the day. McNamara stated, "As soon as the Knicks game ends, everyone will switch to talking about football."

By Nhu Tam (According to AFP, Reuters)