World Cup
A video of the cop juggling a soccer ball for an energized crowd of World Cup fans has gone viral on social media.
World Cup fans watch a game at Boston’s Fan Fest in City Hall Plaza on Saturday. Finn Gomez/The Boston Globe
June 14, 2026 | 9:28 AM
1 minute to read
As thousands of World Cup fans swarmed Boston on Saturday, one city cop decided to play ball.
Scottish and Haitian fans brought their energy for the first of seven matches to be held at Boston Stadium. However, Boston Police Sgt. Connor Hardy proved that locals have plenty of their own energy as he showed off his soccer ball juggling skills.
A video of Hardy juggling the ball at Boston’s Fan Fest at City Hall Plaza has gone viral on social media. The 14-year veteran of the Boston Police Department got quite the rally going with U.S. and Scottish fans.
“When I went over there, I think they originally thought I was gonna steal the ball and be the fun police,” Hardy told The Boston Globe. “I actually just kind of did my thing with them, and it was fun, and it turned out funny.”
Hardy told reporters on Saturday that he played soccer in high school and at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. That practice clearly paid off as fans swarmed him to celebrate his skills.
The video took off on social media, with a Barstool Sports post featuring the video racking up more than 1.4 million views alone. Of course, Boston police took notice and got in on the fun.
“Community policing looks a bit different when the @FIFAWorldCup is in town!” police said on X. “Our officers celebrated alongside fans, both international and local, during Day 1 of @FWC26Boston Fan Fest on City Hall Plaza!”
As for Hardy, he’s taking his 15 minutes of fame in stride. It’s proof that even without a ticket to a game, the World Cup makes for some special moments in the city.
“Never something I thought would happen,” Hardy told the Globe. “It’s all good fun though — it’s great, the World Cup here in Boston.”
Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
