Every sports fan has that point in the summer when the calendar feels a little empty. Basketball is over, football hasn’t started, and the Red Sox — despite sweeping the Yankees — are back to being frustrating. Thankfully, the World Cup has arrived at the perfect time.

Admittedly, soccer is my second favorite sport, so I’m a little biased. But this World Cup has delivered so far, both in the quality of play and the overall fan experience.

Let’s start with the group stage, when Boston experienced “No Scotland, No Party.”

The city fully embraced the Scottish supporters as they drank seemingly every beer in sight and placed traffic cones atop some of Boston’s iconic landmarks.

Fans from all over the world have come to the United States and shared their cultures, whether it’s through songs, Norway’s “Viking Row” celebration or Scotland turning Fenway Park into its own home stadium.

Beyond being the world’s biggest sporting event, the World Cup is about bringing different nations together. Seeing fans from different countries interact, celebrate and even commiserate has been one of the best parts of the tournament.

On the pitch, the tournament has been just as entertaining.

I’ll admit I was skeptical when FIFA expanded the field, but it’s produced some terrific storylines. Cabo Verde reaching the knockout stage has been the story of the tournament. Goalkeeper Vozinha has become an overnight social media sensation, going from fewer than 100,000 followers to more than 17 million after his heroics in a scoreless draw against Spain, a 2-2 draw with Uruguay and another shutout against Saudi Arabia that helped Cabo Verde finish second in its group.

The United States has also looked like a team that believes it belongs among the world’s best.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think any reasonable fan expects the Americans to be playing in the final at MetLife Stadium. But the confidence and style they’ve shown under Mauricio Pochettino have been impressive.

For years, the U.S. lacked a true striker. If Christian Pulisic wasn’t creating chances, the attack often stalled. That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. Between Folarin Balogun, Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Sergiño Dest, the Americans look dangerous every time they go forward. Defense may still be the biggest question mark, but the attack has been fun to watch.

And the first set of Round of 32 games have been incredible. Brazil beating Japan with a last minute winner thanks to Gabriel Martinelli. Canada also got past South Africa with a Stephen Eustáquio shot in the 92nd minute. Then the shock of the tournament was when Paraguay sent Germany home on penalty kicks. 

If the knockout stage keeps producing matches like these, the best is still to come. Every game has felt like it has its own story, whether it’s a giant killer, a late winner or fans creating unforgettable moments in the stands. That’s what makes the World Cup different from every other sporting event. It’s not just about who lifts the trophy, it’s also about the moments people around the world will remember long after the final whistle.