Serhou Guirassy Declares USA a 'Football Country' as Nation Gears Up for Epic Club World Cup Showdown

Borussia Dortmund forward Serhou Guirassy expresses his excitement about experiencing American soccer culture firsthand during the Club World Cup tournament.

Dortmund represents one of two Bundesliga clubs in the competition, joining champions Bayern Munich, and must face Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan in group play that will take them from East Rutherford, New Jersey to Cincinnati, Ohio—their initial match against former Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense ended in a 0–0 draw.

The tournament's revamped format brings numerous uncertainties to the Club World Cup, yet Guirassy remains confident about one aspect—the United States will deliver an unforgettable experience for all participants.

"This is a World Cup," he explains to Sports Illustrated. "Yes, it differs from the Nations Cup, but it remains a World Cup nonetheless. I believe every team participating aims to claim victory. When you're competing in a World Cup, your goal is to win it.

"Additionally, the United States has become a soccer nation. Particularly after [Lionel] Messi's move to Inter Miami. This has intensified their focus on soccer even more. Therefore, it promises to be an exceptional tournament."

While this won't mark Guirassy's inaugural visit to America, he acknowledges never having had the chance to truly experience a culture that expands continuously.

"It's exciting because it represents... an exploration," he elaborates. "I've visited the United States before, but those trips were... quite brief, you could say.

"It feels wonderful. You get to play soccer while exploring different nations and cities, making it incredibly fascinating."