The 2026 FIFA World Cup is finally here. With games taking place across 16 different cities in the US, Mexico, and Canada, some of the world’s greatest soccer players are going to be at our doorstep. Well, sort of—if you’re in New York, the games are famously over in New Jersey, a $100+ train-and-shuttle ride away. And as much as many of us want to be in the thick of cheering stadium crowds, tickets have infamously been going for sky-high prices.
Megan Spurrell
Megan Spurrell is a Condé Nast Traveler editor based in New York City, where she regularly covers bars & restaurants, and events like the 2026 World Cup. On the weekends, she’s eating her way through every single country in the world, right in NYC.
It’s hard to care, though, knowing that the greatest scenes of all will be unfolding all over the five boroughs—in Colombian mom-and-pop restaurants in Jackson Heights, Moroccan cafes in Astoria, and German beer halls on the Lower East Side. This city is made up of people from all over the world, and when any national team is playing, you will know. When Senegal vs. France is on? It’s Harlem for Senegal, or Cobble Hill for Les Bleues. Ecuador vs. Germany? That’s a matter of which part of Queens or Brooklyn you want to beeline to.
If you are new to cheering for a national team, there are a few best practices to bandwagoning: Follow the dress code by wearing the right colors, scream like hell when the team scores, and consider being the one to shout “drinks on me!” when they win. Chances are, it’ll still be cheaper than an official ticket?
Of course there are many, many sports bars throughout this city to choose from, and outdoor watch parties too. Below, our favorite places to watch New York City’s World Cup games, based on the country you’re cheering for, with some general tips on Fan Fest, which are FIFAs official World Cup watch parties. One more word to the wise: On days when hundreds of thousands of fans will be streaming through Penn Station en route to Jersey, it’s actually a perk if a watch party is over in Brooklyn, Queens, or a corner of Manhattan that won’t force you to pass through that chaos.
Read on for the best country-specific bars to watch every New York/New Jersey World Cup match, even if you don’t have a ticket. (Keep an eye on this link, as we’ll update further throughout the Cup.)
You can find our entire guide to the 2026 FIFA World Cup here.
Which World Cup Games are taking place in New York/New Jersey?
The teams playing the first five New York City matches are set, with the remaining three to be determined based on who advances to later stages.
- June 13: Brazil vs. Morocco
- June 16: France vs. Senegal
- June 22: Norway vs. Senegal
- June 25: Ecuador vs. Germany
- June 27: Panama vs. England
- June 30: Round of 32 match
- July 5: Round of 16 match
- July 19: FIFA World Cup Final
When and where are these FIFA Fan Fests?
There will be six official fan events (called Fan Hubs, Fan Villages, and Fan Zones) throughout New York and New Jersey. where massive screens will be set up for viewing.
The Fan Hubs in Jersey’s Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison (June 11-July 19) and the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens (June 11-27) will have programming on game days, and require reservations to enter via the hyperlinks above.
The Fan Village in Rockefeller Center (July 6-19) is set to open later in the tournament, with exact hours and entry information still to come.
These are just the official events—expect countless others filling popular plazas, parks, food halls, event spaces, and so much more.
In addition to country-specific bars, which other bars are showing the games?
Just about any bar with a TV is expected to play these games (and even some without—I imagine many projectors are being delivered to bars and restaurants throughout the city as we speak). Check out our list of the best dive bars in New York City, many of which do double duty as sports bars, like Banter in Williamsburg, or broadcast any big event, such as Do or Dive in Bed-Stuy. If you do visit any country-specific bars and can’t get in (go early!), fellow fans will likely take over the nearest neighboring bar(s) with a screen. Follow them.
Where to watch World Cup matches in New York City, depending on which country is playing
Sunday, June 13 @ 6 p.m.: Brazil vs. Morocco
Brazil: The Brazilian diaspora, once-upon-a-time centered in midtown’s Little Brazil, now has a wide footprint in the city. Favela Grill in Astoria, known for its home-cooked dishes, is hosting a watch party and taking reservations for tables. Beija Flor in Long Island City, a Brazilian restaurant that often hosts live events, is playing the opening Mexico match on their big screens and likely to do the same for Brazil. Beco, a small botequim in Williamsburg, has already kicked things off, hosting watch parties for pre-Cup friendlies; they’re taking reservations for tables, and will have a standing section on the sidewalk outside. Or just make your way through the bars on 46th Street between 4th and 5th Ave, a.k.a. Little Brazil, and see what you find.
Morocco: Astoria’s Steinway Street (from Astoria Boulevard down to about 30th Street in particular) is always the place to go for great Moroccan restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and hookah lounges. Hookah spot Rotana Lounge on Steinway will be screening most World Cup games, but my suggestion is to walk this two-block section of Queens, grabbing a spot wherever you can find one—there will be plenty.
