The FIFA World Cup is about to kick off—see what we did there?—bringing 48 qualifying teams to 16 North American cities in their quest for world domination. Group play begins June 11 with a month’s worth of drama on the pitch, culminating in the final on July 19. Whether your goal (ahem) is to watch all 104 matches or selectively tune in for your team, you’ll find plenty of area establishments with big screens, food and drink specials and fellow fans complaining about the refs. (Fun fact: D.C. may not be hosting any of the games, but Alexandria is the official Team Base Camp for the Croatian National Football Team. They’re practicing at Episcopal High School.)
Top Star World Cup-Themed Experience at Upside on Moore
The Rosslyn food hall is pre-gaming with an all-ages party June 6, noon-5 p.m. The fun will include a FIFA video game tournament with a chance to score World Cup tickets, a custom ball and jersey designs by Dieglo, plus soccer-focused vendors, a DJ, and food and drinks from Upside vendors. 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Quinn’s on the Corner
The Rosslyn pub is hosting an opening ceremony watch party June 8, 12:30 p.m. with giant LED screens, a DJ, hookah specials and drink deals, including $6 beers, $9 cocktails and $150 bottles. 1776 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
SER Restaurant
You don’t have to be Team España to catch the action on the huge indoor screen and patio screens at Javier Candon’s easygoing Spanish restaurant. Stop in for a special tapas and cocktails menu June 11-July 19, featuring snacks such as shrimp potato salad, garlic sautéed mushrooms or a crispy pork-and-ham fritter. If your team advances, celebrate with something sweet like pestiños, traditional Andalusian honey pastries. If they lose, drown your sorrows in $6 beers and $10 wines and cocktails. 1110 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston)
Ireland’s Four Courts
Named “America’s Best Soccer Bar” by the soccer media company Men in Blazers, this beloved Irish pub is already a destination for EPL fans, so you’ll be in good company watching live matches with surround sound and Buckets of Beer (five 16-ounce beers and seltzers for $35). Official watch parties are scheduled for the opening match on June 11, 3 p.m. (Mexico vs. South Africa), as well as June 12, 9 p.m. (USA vs. Paraguay) June 19, 3 p.m. (USA vs. Australia) and June 25, 10 p.m. (USA vs. Turkey). 2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Courthouse)
FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Zone D.C.
Part of the America250 celebrations on the National Mall, this pop-up will be open June 11-July 19, inviting soccer fans to watch parties, youth programs, cultural experiences and good ol’ family-friendly fun. All of the offerings are free and open to the public. Find the full schedule of happenings here. National Mall, between Third and Fourth streets
BOE USA World Cup Watch Party Series
Saddle up for some raucous game-viewing with the USMNT in the spotlight. Clarendon’s country-themed bar will turn into “a full-blown American fan zone for the entire tournament,” according to Boe’s Eventbrite page. Watch Team USA square off against Paraguay (June 12, 9 p.m.), Australia (June 19, 3 p.m.) and Turkey (June 25, 10 p.m.). Live DJs will play before and after every match. Sip on Frozen Red, White & Blue Flag drinks, $4 domestic beers and $5 rail drinks. The dress code is (you guessed it) red, white and blue. 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Soccer at Mosaic
The Mosaic District will broadcast select games on the gigantic outdoor screen in Strawberry Park, with food specials and related activations adding to the fun. The first event will be June 13 when Qatar plays Switzerland at 3 p.m. and Brazil takes on Morocco at 6 p.m. Check out the full schedule here. 2911 District Avenue, Fairfax (Merrifield)
Watch Party Wednesdays at Arlington Mill
Arlington Mill Community Center is hosting watch parties on June 17, 7 p.m. (Ghana vs. Panama), June 24, 6 p.m. (Brazil vs. Scotland) and July 1, 8 p.m. (contenders TBD) with a giant outdoor screen, live DJ and food trucks. Doors open one hour before kickoff. Kids with energy to burn can partake in youth futsal drop-in games, and a video gaming lounge will feature EAFC tournaments for middle and high school teens. 909 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington
COPA Tysons
Can’t make it to any of the host cities for live games? Visit this free community pop-up for large-scale outdoor and indoor viewing experiences. Munch on specials from Tysons-area restaurants, and dance to DJ-spun tunes before and after select matches. The pop-up locations will vary, so check the website for details.
FIFA World Cup 2026 at Shipgarten
Diehard fans can catch every game live on more than 150 screens (with stadium sound for select matches) at this all-ages playground and beer garden in Tysons. Collect stamps for every game you watch in the Passport Challenge and be entered to win prizes. See the website for the full schedule. Visitors can choose among four viewing packages. The smallest ($99) is a table for four with three pizzas and 10 drink tickets. The max ($750) seats and feeds 25 people with 100 boneless wings, 50 cheeseburger sliders, funnel cake fries and 75 drink tickets. 7581 Colshire Drive, McLean
Astro Beer Hall
If fandom makes you hungry, you’ll find plenty of game-day deals throughout the World Cup at this Shirlington brewpub, including $5 wings or loaded nachos with the purchase of a drink. Astro offers more than 20 beers on tap, as well as seltzers and cocktails like a Pecan Pie Espresso Martini and the Jala-Pina Mule. 4001 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Hyde Social
This Clarendon bar is partial to the teams from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and the United States, but it will be showing every match live. Watch its Instagram page for deets on food specials like wings, flatbreads and other shareables, plus drink deals for afternoon and early evening kickoffs, and buckets of beer for later matches. 3100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Immigrant Food
Where better to watch the world’s most ubiquitous sport than a restaurant that embraces a melting pot of cultures? A “World Cup Combo” here includes the beer of your choice and a plate of lemony Greek wings with Mediterranean herbs and feta dip. 4245 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Ballston)
William Jeffrey’s Tavern
Throw back a cold one and order some lump crab dip or oysters on the half shell for the table at this neighborhood gastropub. “With our 17 HD TVs, you won’t miss any of the action,” the website promises. 2301 Columbia Pike, Arlington (Shirlington)
View this post on Instagram
Bronson Bierhall
The German beer pub in Ballston will open early—11:30 a.m.—on weekdays during the tournament to screen the games. Enjoy them with $30 buckets of Modelo or Miller Lite or $42 buckets of High Noon or Surfside seltzers. 4100 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Ballston)
Dudley’s Sport and Ale
Given its bragging rights as “the largest sports bar in Northern Virginia,” it’s no surprise that every match will be streamed live at this Shirlington watering hole. It’s copious TVs allow you to watch from any angle, including the rooftop patio. Follow the bar’s kickoff countdown on its Instagram page. 2766 S. Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington (Shirlington)
Solace Outpost
It’s game on at this Falls Church brewpub. Check the website for game times and bring your appetite for specials on drinks and munchies. 444 West Broad St., Falls Church
Taco Bamba
Hosting your own watch party at home? From June 11-July 18, Victor Albisu’s fan-favorite taqueria is serving up some tasty takeout feasts. The Copa Bamba Combo includes 18 wings, chips, dips and churros. The Taco Mundial Platter comes with 12 custom tacos, sides and chips. If you’re eating onsite at one of the Arlington locations, you’ll find happy hour food pricing and $20 Modelo beer buckets (five beers) during all live World Cup matches. 4000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston); 2190 Pimmit Drive, Falls Church; 4041 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)