NAPA VALLEY, CA — Although fans in Napa Valley can't see the action in person, they can still find plenty of places to watch the rest of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the world’s biggest soccer tournament.
Fans from around the globe will come to North America for matches that are being played across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 2026 World Cup runs 39 days, starting Thursday, June 11, and ending July 19. For the first time, the tournament will feature 48 teams, making it the largest World Cup ever.
Eleven U.S. cities — Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Rutherford, New Jersey — are hosting matches.
Given the massive popularity of the World Cup, sports bars across the country are drawing large and energetic crowds.
There are six more game dates including today's United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Here are some good bets for watching a World Cup match nearby.
Napa
Stone's Sports Bar & Lounge
1679 W. Imola Ave., Napa
Phone: (707) 255-1633
A traditional sports bar with numerous TVs that has been highlighted by Visit Napa Valley as one of the valley's go-to spots for watching World Cup matches and other major sporting events. Open until 2 a.m.
Napa Palisades Saloon
1000 Main St., Suite 100, Napa
Phone: (707) 492-3399
Downtown Napa sports bar and grill with multiple televisions. Visit Napa Valley lists it among recommended places to watch World Cup soccer. Open until 11 p.m.
Dos Botellas
American Canyon
Visit Napa Valley specifically recommends Dos Botellas for World Cup viewing, noting its televisions, Mexican food, and margaritas for match days.
American Canyon
Yountville
St. Helena
Calistoga
July 1 — Belgium vs. Senegal; United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
July 2–7 — remaining Round of 32 and Round of 16 matches
July 9–11 — Quarterfinals
July 14–15 — Semifinals
July 18 — Third-place match
July 19 — World Cup Final
The World Cup has included an unprecedented trio of star-studded opening ceremonies in the host nations, the United States, Canada and Mexico, created by the Italian producer behind the opening ceremony for this year's Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
The ceremonies' unifying theme, “the celebration of sports, the passion for soccer, symbolized by the cup itself,” Marco Balich, creative director of Milan-based Balich Wonder Studio, told The Associated Press. “The idea is to narrate with three points of view and languages” using design aesthetics representative of each culture.
In Canada, a mosaic represents the country’s multicultural identity. Mexico's motif is the traditional paper cutouts called papel picado, while the United States has “a super shiny, glowing cup,” said Balich, who also produced the opening ceremony for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Each ceremony features top artistic performances that tap into the national identity, but Balich said spectators shouldn’t expect a Super Bowl-style halftime extravaganza. Instead, the ceremonies combine welcoming speeches, a parade of flags, the presentation of the match ball and about 30 minutes of musical entertainment.
The U.S. opening ceremony took place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles before the USA vs. Paraguay opening match. Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla headlined an all-star lineup.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Napa Valley, CA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.