Sofía Vergara jokes about World Cup ticket drama with her big family

Sofía Vergara is counting down the days until she can experience the World Cup in person — but the excitement has come with an unexpected dilemma.

The actress, 53, said she planned to attend multiple matches, including the first U.S. game in Los Angeles and the final in New York, but her biggest challenge now is deciding which relatives get to come along for the ride.

“It’s been good and bad because, like, for example, I’m going to be able to watch some games with them together,” Vergara told People.

“We’re going to be able to do what we do when we come together, which is eat and put together the family and everything. It’s also created some problems because I am going to be able to go to some games, and I cannot get all of them in the games.”

With limited tickets and a large, enthusiastic family, Vergara admits the situation has turned into a lighthearted competition.

“It’s been kind of like a little bit of a struggle to pick who deserves to go to the World Cup,” she says. “But it’s all been fun!”

Beyond family logistics, Vergara is also looking forward to the entertainment surrounding the tournament, including a major performance from fellow Colombian superstar Shakira at the World Cup final halftime show.

Vergara says the two recently exchanged messages ahead of the event. “I don’t even want to name-drop, but she texted me yesterday,” she shares.

“She asked me if I was going to be in L.A. for the games. And so I’m very excited because I’m sure she’s going to give a hell of a show like she always does.”

When she’s not in the stadium, Vergara plans to turn match days into full family gatherings at home, complete with food, music, and lively debate.

“It’s going to be good food, good music, and good things to drink,” she says. “When you’re together, that’s when you really get to enjoy each other and eat, and fight, and complain, and it’s fun.”

But she also sees these gatherings as more than just entertainment. Vergara has previously used family time to spark conversations about health awareness, inspired by her “Detect the SOS” campaign, which encourages early testing for conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

“It’s hard to talk about health with your family… nobody wants to hear it,” she says. “We’re hoping that with the commercial, like, ‘You see Ma, this is what we need to do this!’”

Despite the logistical juggling and serious conversations, Vergara says she’s simply happy to be part of the global event.

“It’s going to be such an amazing month I think for everyone,” she adds. “I can’t wait because it brings people together, and that’s why it’s so special for us.”