Where to Watch the World Cup in LA

With 48 teams included for the first time in its 95-year history, next year’s FIFA World Cup will be its most cosmopolitan tournament to date. Nonetheless, every qualifying nation will have support here in Los Angeles, due to the city’s huge and famously diverse population. So, as well as the eight matches being hosted here at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium, bars and restaurants across the region will be packed with passionate soccer supporters for all of the televised World Cup games (even more so because they will be played at West Coast-convenient times, unlike the last two editions held in Russia and Qatar).

Some of the best places to watch FIFA World Cup matches in Los Angeles will be themed pubs and eateries that cater to specific nationalities and expat communities. These will be hotspots not only when “their” teams are playing but throughout the tournament, as fans gather from countries where soccer has long been enmeshed in national culture and consciousness. Here are some of the themed LA venues where you can really soak up the international atmosphere of FIFA World Cup 2026.

Automatically Qualified as Co-Hosts

CANADA
Canada was the surprise of last year’s Copa America, making it all the way to the semi-finals in stark contrast to the disappointing performance of the host U.S. team, which failed to escape group play. To see if the Canucks can maintain this momentum in the World Cup, head to one of LA’s numerous soccer-crazy British-themed bars (see “England,” below), or Springbok Bar & Grill in Van Nuys, which is big on sports from all Commonwealth countries (of which Canada is one).

MEXICO
Mexico will likely have the most widespread LA support of any team in World Cup 2026, which will be evident in almost any public space with a TV. The team has traditionally underperformed in the World Cup, but their two best finishes came when they hosted the tournament in 1970 and ’86, so co-hosting this time is an opportunity for El Tri to progress further than ever before. It’ll be hard to find a bar or Mexican eatery that isn’t screening their matches, with recommended hotspots including Guelaguetza Oaxacan restaurant in Koreatown; the family-run Mariscos Marias, with locations in Culver City and on South Vermont; and at Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet, which traditionally hosts World Cup watch parties.

USA
Predictably, there are plenty of places across LA where you can savor televised U.S. Men’s National Team matches and mingle with similarly patriotic supporters. As both clubs will surely have players in the U.S. World Cup squad, you can expect watch parties hosted by the LA Galaxy and LAFC. In 2022, the Galaxy held these at Dignity Health Sports Park’s Legends Plaza, on the Hermosa Beach Pier and at Tom’s Watch Bar at L.A. LIVE; while LAFC hosted at its home Banc of California Stadium (now BMO Stadium) and Santa Monica Brew Works. Almost any bar in Los Angeles with a TV will be showing the U.S. team’s matches, with especially animated audiences at the likes of The Greyhound Bar & Grill in Highland Park; any British-themed bar (see below); and at Arts District Brewing Company in Downtown LA.

Qualified

ARGENTINA
Argentina are the reigning world champions and, at the time of writing, top the FIFA-Coca Cola Men’s World Ranking. With locations in Downtown LA, Hollywood and Studio City, LALA’s Argentine Grill is a primo place to catch this perennial South American powerhouse on TV beneath portraits of team legend Lionel Messi. Indeed, just last year “La Albiceleste” themselves dined at the Studio City LALA’s after a match at LA Memorial Coliseum. You’ll also be able to feel the fervor of Argentina’s impassioned fans at Buenos Aires Grill in Northridge, where framed soccer shirts festoon the walls; and at Mercado Buenos Aires, an Argentine restaurant/bakery/market in Van Nuys and Granada Hills.

IRAN
One of the first teams to qualify for the 2026 finals, Iran will be appearing in the tournament for the sixth time, including famously defeating the U.S. in 1998 (the USNMT evened the score with a 1-0 win in 2022). While no local Persian restaurants or cafes explicitly advertise airing soccer matches, it’ll be worth calling spots like the long-established Raffi’s Place in Glendale or Sadaf, which has locations in Encino and now in Beverly Hills – especially if Iran starts pulling surprises. Remember that, at the time of writing, Iran was ranked 16th in the FIFA-Coca Cola Men’s World Ranking ahead of the likes of Switzerland, Denmark and Russia.

JAPAN
Japan didn’t even have a pro soccer league until 1992 but has already co-hosted a World Cup (alongside South Korea, in 2002) and stunned both Germany and Spain on the pitch at Qatar 2022. This time, they cruised through second-round qualifying with +24 goal difference and became the first team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they beat Bahrain 2-0 in March. To watch Japan with fellow fans, try the energized Agua Chiles Sushi Bar in Northridge, where singular “Mexican-style” sushi/sashimi is served surrounded by multiple, constantly sports-streaming TVs high on the walls.

NEW ZEALAND
Although far from a soccer powerhouse, New Zealand was among the first teams to qualify for the 2026 finals and will be making their third appearance at the tournament. The last time, in South Africa in 2010, they were unbeaten, although their three ties – including with mighty Italy – were not enough to progress beyond the group stage. To catch the All Whites’ matches on TV amongst fellow fans head to Tangaroa Fish Market in Culver City, a New Zealand-themed fresh seafood restaurant and market where TVs and Kiwi sports memorabilia adorn the walls.

Favorites to Also Qualify

AUSTRALIA
Five of Australia’s six World Cup appearances were consecutive qualifications from 2006-2022, including making the Round of 16 twice. While not a traditional soccer power, they’re always athletic, competitive, and boast players from top leagues worldwide. To find Aussie footie fans during the 2026 World Cup, look no further than Strings of Life (S.O.L.) on the hip stretch of Melrose Avenue just west of La Cienega Boulevard: an all-day café that artfully captures the coffee, food and wine culture of Melbourne, from where its founders originate, sucking in expats from miles around, seven days a week.

BELGIUM
Belgium have appeared in the FIFA World Cup finals on 14 occasions, finishing third in 2018 and fourth in 1986. Although their 1980s glory years are fading into history, Belgium enjoys a favorable draw in its European qualifying group and will be no pushover in the 2026 finals. It’s worth driving out to Claremont to watch Belgium’s games at The Back Abbey, a destination for Belgian beers and Belgium-inspired menu items with multiple TVs on which to watch seasoned superstars like Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne make perhaps their last grasp for the biggest prize in the game.

BRAZIL
The stretch of Venice Boulevard straddling Culver City and Palms is LA’s de facto “Braziltown,” where raucous, headline-making World Cup parties erupted last time the U.S. hosted, in 1994, when Brazil won the fourth of their five titles to date. Brazil fans gather for games on the patio of the Brazilian Mall and at the area’s OG Brazilian eatery, Café Brasil. Elsewhere, Downtown LA’s upscale M Grill steakhouse, where twin TVs flank an impressive bar, is the place to support the storied Seleção Canarinho.

COLOMBIA
Colombia only missed out on last year’s Copa America title by an extra-time goal in the final against Argentina. Despite being tipped to do something big in the World Cup for decades, a quarter-final in 2014 has been their best finish to date. To experience singularly emotional Colombian fandom, head for the soccer-centric Sabor Colombiano restaurant in Westlake, where an outdoor screen is often erected for major sporting events, or Koreatown’s hip Escala K-town Colombian/Korean gastropub.

CROATIA
Croatia has consistently been one of the smallest nations in the World Cup finals since gaining independence in 1991 yet has thrice finished in the top three. Expect community parties, especially if Croatia manages another deep run, at the Croatian American Club in San Pedro, where matches are projected onto a big screen; the Dalmatian-American Club, also in San Pedro; and at St. Anthony’s Croatian Catholic Church in Chinatown.

EGYPT
Egyptian soccer fans will likely congregate at Tut’s Egyptian Cuisine in Culver City for the 2026 World Cup, for which their team seems certain to qualify. Although a longstanding power in the African game, Egypt have only qualified for three World Cups and are yet to win a match at the tournament. But they’ve run away with their qualifying group and so hopes will be high for a squad that should include Mo Salah, one of the greatest players of his generation who just won the English Premier League title with Liverpool. At the unpretentious Tut’s, authentic Egyptian fare like koshari, kababs and chocolate hazelnut baklava is served with exceptional family pride.

ENGLAND
England have been perennial World Cup underachievers since their sole win in 1966. But this hasn’t dented the national pride or eternal optimism of English “footie” fans. You can witness their brilliant banter at numerous Brit-themed pubs across L.A. County, including WeHo’s Cat & Fiddle, the Cock 'n Bull and Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Monica; the White Harte in Woodland Hills, Lucky Baldwins in Pasadena, and, tucked into the corner of an unassuming strip mall, Newhall’s Rose & Crown.

FRANCE
France really arrived as a global “footie” force upon lifting the World Cup at home in 1998. They’ve since been runners-up in 2006, won again in ‘18, and barely lost the thrilling last final (only on penalty kicks) to Argentina. During previous World Cups, the tastefully lived-in La Poubelle bistro in Franklin Village has altered its hours and added TVs for major France matches and will once again be a casual and appropriately Gallic spot to enjoy Les Bleus. For an upscale destination experience, Le Chene near Santa Clarita is a historic French bistro where any France evening matches will likely be screened (call ahead to confirm).

GERMANY
Germany’s never-say-die attitude has created some heart-stopping last-second comebacks, making them a consistently attractive team to watch, even for neutrals. Compliment the on-field thrills with aptly Teutonic lagers and bites at Silver Lake’s storied Red Lion Tavern, with its shaded patio; at Wirtshaus German Restaurant & Biergarten in Mid-City, which boasts a dedicated soccer-themed screening room; or at Rasselbock Kitchen & Beer Garden in Mar Vista, which has screens indoors and out.

GHANA
Ghanaian soccer fans will gather at WEAF Restaurant on Melrose during FIFA World Cup 2026. Their team is on course to qualify following a string of strong performances including a convincing win over Madagascar. After decades of failing to qualify or withdrawing, Ghana made four of the past five World Cups, reaching the quarterfinals in 2010 where only an injury time goal-line handball by Uruguay’s Luis Suárez prevented their becoming the first-ever African semi-finalists. That “nearly moment” lingers in the memory of Ghana supporters who frequent WEAF for its vibrant West African cuisine, including dishes like fufu, alloco (known as kelewele in Ghana), and fried yams.

ITALY
Italy have won four World Cups but have shockingly failed to qualify for the past two finals. While most sports and/or European-themed bars will likely screen gli Azzurri’s 2026 World Cup matches, in the past East Hollywood’s DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana has hosted special screenings of Italy’s big games. Italian World Cup winner Alessandro Del Peiro co-founded the swanky N10 Italian restaurant (Del Peiro wore the No. 10 shirt for Italian club Juventus) on the bustling West Third Street dining corridor, so look out for events there, too. Also, Silver Lake’s Pijja Palace is a hip sports bar festooned with TVs and a menu that blends Indian, classic American, and Italian American influences into dishes like malai rigatoni and chutney pijja.

JAMAICA
Catch Jamaica’s televised games at (abeautifullife) Jamaican Kitchen in Little Tokyo or in Downtown LA’s Historic Core. A nuanced melding of DTLA’s energy and the calm of a Caribbean breeze, both locations hit a culinary sweet spot of contemporary Jamaican cuisine and playful sophistication, enhanced with escapist cocktails and DJs spinning reggae, dancehall, and hip-hop. The Reggae Boyz, as Jamaica’s national team is fondly known, enjoyed a favorable draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and are expected to make only their second appearance in the finals. Back in 1998, they failed to progress beyond the group stage, despite defeating Japan 2-1 in their final game.

MOROCCO
Morocco is on course for its seventh qualification for the World Cup finals, having stunned the 2022 tournament with a fourth place finish, becoming both the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals. The country will also be the first North African co-host of the World Cup, in 2030 alongside Portugal and Spain. You’ll find Moroccan fans gathered in hopes of a similar deep run at Casablanca Moroccan Kitchens on Melrose Avenue, an elegant yet cozy culinary oasis in the heart of the city where tagines, couscous, and traditional Moroccan grilled specialties are served in a vibrant, transporting setting.

NIGERIA
Though their 2026 World Cup campaign got off to a faltering start, Nigeria remains a West African footie force that has qualified for six of the past eight finals. To watch the Super Eagles with a partisan crowd and authentic Nigerian fare, head to the unpretentious Totos’ African Cuisine in Van Nuys, where matches that fall within their regular opening hours (11:30am - 7:30pm) are served alongside jollof & plantain, fried peppered goat, moi-moi and more. Another spot for Nigerian eats, alongside other West African dishes, is WEAF Restaurant on Melrose Avenue (see Ghana above).

PANAMA
Anchored by standout center-back Jose Cordoba, Panama was at the top of its World Cup qualifying group at the time of writing and set for just its second appearance in the finals. Although the team failed to earn any points in a tough group with Belgium, England and Tunisia in 2018, hopes remain high among the Panamanian faithful. Beneath its prominent “Panamanian Pride” motto, you can savor all of this at Caribbean Soul Kitchen LA, where both the food and the vibe are authentic. Jerk dishes, beef oxtail, brown stew chicken, stew jackfruit and more are nostalgic for expats and an evocative culinary adventure for newbies.

PORTUGAL
Artesia Divino Espirito Santo is a community organization promoting Portuguese traditions, including hosting concerts, soccer teams/tournaments, and sports watching parties. Portugal’s national soccer team is yet to live up to its recent potential in the World Cup, but Artesia D.E.S.’s bar, which throws the biggest Portugal watch parties in California, will be the place to see them try again and witness star striker and global soccer poster boy, Cristiano Ronaldo’s international swan song.

SAUDI ARABIA
One of the great World Cup moments was Saudi Arabia’s Saeed Al-Owairan scoring a stunning individual match winner against Belgium in 1994. The Saudis have appeared in seven World Cup Finals, also upending mighty Argentina in another major upset in 2022. Should they again qualify this time, a likely hotspot for Saudi fans will be Westwood’s House of Mandi LA, opened last year. While there are no specifically Saudi eateries in Los Angeles, the family-owned House of Mandi serves fine Yemeni fare beloved across the region. Its specialty, mandi, is a meat and rice dish, distinctively spiced, served here with rice or chicken alongside an array of other Arabian Peninsula staples.

SENEGAL
Senegal’s run to the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals included defeating defending champions France, Sweden, and ties with both Denmark and Uruguay. It was yet another signal that African soccer could compete with the traditionally dominant South American and European teams, with Senegalese players like Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly and El Hadji Diouf also becoming stars for top clubs in Europe. While there isn’t currently a specifically Senegalese restaurant in LA, the Afro-centric Two Hommès in Inglewood features dishes like jollof rice and yassa that are popular in Senegal. Originally a rotating pop-up, Two Hommès is known for its warm and welcoming vibe, with soccer often showing on its corner TV.

SOUTH KOREA
South Korea co-hosted the 2002 World Cup, where it finished fourth, and its team is once again a favorite to emerge from Asian qualifying. Koreatown’s Biergarten reimagines Germany’s famed beer gardens through a Korean prism, including a hybrid menu where brats and Old World ales rub shoulders with kimchi and West Coast IPAs. Biergarten shows all major sports on multiple screens, so it's a great find for soccer-loving foodies and craft beer fans alike. Also in Koreatown, Escala K-town is a Colombian/Korean gastropub where the two nations’ flags hang side by side and both national teams will enjoy enthusiastic support.

SPAIN
Drop in anytime at Echo Park's no-frills Spain Restaurant and you’ll likely find soccer on TV. With the Spanish national team rampant – even fans of losing finalists England freely admit that Spain were rightful winners of UEFA Euro 2024 last summer – there’ll never be a better time to watch the 2010 world champs play amongst ardent fans enjoying authentic Spanish paella, tapas and cheap, bountiful house sangria. Or head to the Redondo Beach Riviera where Gabi James offers a family-style Spanish (and coastal French) menu, complemented by an extensive cocktail and wine program, boutique beers – and soccer on TV!