Where To Watch The World Cup Games In Orange County

Game time is at 11 a.m. on Thursday for the next match between Croatia and Argentina? Where will you watch in Orange County? Consider these locations near you.

El Torito: World Cup soccer watch parties 8 a.m. on June 21 and 23, with breakfast burrito and drink specials. 3520 The City Drive South, Orange, 714-939-6711.

Participating locations include Anaheim, Corona, Cypress, Irvine, and Yorba Linda, www.eltorito.com.

Olde Ship: Open 7 a.m. weekdays and 5 a.m. weekends for matches, as scheduled, 1120 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, 714-550-6700. Open early for England’s matches only as scheduled, 709 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, (714) 871-7447, www.theoldeship.com.

Phoenix Club: Open 7:30 a.m. June 17 and 27 with breakfast specials and 10:30 a.m. June 23 with lunch specials. 1340 S. Sanderson Ave. Anaheim, (714) 563-4166; www.thephoenixclub.com.

Old World: Open 7 a.m. or 7 or 8 a.m. as matches are scheduled with beer specials. When Germany plays, breakfast brunch will be available for $9 at 8 a.m. 7562 Center Ave. #49, Huntington Beach, 714-895-8020, www.oldworld.ws. Find a full list of where to watch the World Cup Games with other soccer fans across southern California here.

As for Thursday's game of Argentina vs. Croatia will be live from Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. This field in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, was known as Gorky from 1932-90, is the second in the tournament for both teams.

"The match against Argentina is the easiest game for us at the World Cup, because we have three points and we play against big opponent," Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said. "We have nothing to lose in that game. I'll tell my players before the start of the game just to enjoy the spectacle.

Croatia defeated Nigeria, 2-0, Saturday on an own goal in the 32nd minute and captain Luka Modric's 71st-minute penalty kick. Argentina tied Iceland, 1-1, Saturday, with both goals coming in the first 23 minutes.
Led by forward Lionel Messi, who has been selected as The Best FIFA Men's Player a record-tying five times, Argentina is fifth in the rankings compiled by FIFA, soccer's international governing body. Croatia is ranked 20th.

"For me, he is the best player in the world," Dalic said. "There is no chance of keeping him quiet."
Argentina, known as La Albiceleste, which translates to white and sky blue, was the 2014 World Cup runner-up and champion in 1978 and 1986.

Argentina is 4-2-1 since Oct. 10, including a 2-1-1 record in 2018. Its roster consists of five players who play for club teams in Italy, four each in Argentina and England, three in Spain, two each in France and Portugal and one each in China, Mexico and Netherlands.

Croatia has played in five of six World Cups since first becoming eligible for the 1998 tournament. Its best finish was in 1998 when it was third. It has not advanced past the group stage since then.

Croatia, known as Vatreni, meaning The Blazers, is 0-4 against South American teams in the World Cup.
Croatia is 5-2-1 since Oct. 9, 3-2 in 2018. Its roster consists of six players who play in Italy, four each in Germany and Spain, two in Croatia, and one each in Austria, Belgium, England, France, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.

Messi and Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic are teammates with FC Barcelona.

"We live in the time of YouTube and all other things. Everything is known about him," Rakitic said. "It is difficult to give some secret about him to my coach. He is the best player in the world and it is almost impossible to block him."

City News Service, Ashley Ludwig, Patch Editor contributed to this report.

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