And then there was one. After Canada and Mexico were knocked out of the World Cup this past weekend, the United States is the only host nation remaining in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Tonight, at 8 p.m., the U.S. Men’s National Team will take on Belgium in the round of 16.
It’s the biggest World Cup match in decades for the States. The U.S. hasn’t progressed past the Round of 16 since 2002, and the last time the USMNT prevailed over Belgium was all the way back in 1930—which, as football fans will know, was the year of the first-ever World Cup and is still to this day America’s best-ever showing at the tournament thanks to a third-place finish.
With that in mind, plenty of places around the Cincinnati area are keeping this past weekend’s patriotic spirit alive with huge watch parties for the big match. Here are just a few.
World Cup Viewing Village at The Banks
The Banks, downtown
This World Cup, The Banks has transformed into a massive viewing station for all the tournament’s biggest games, and tonight is no different. Practically hundreds of televisions—including a massive outdoor screen—will be tuned into the game, and every restaurant and bar will be running specials to help you cheer on the boys in red, white and blue.
FC Cincinnati’s Summer of Soccer
Multiple locations
You didn’t think our city’s Major League Soccer team wouldn’t join in on the world’s biggest sporting event, right? Throughout the World Cup, FCC has taken over various businesses all over the city to hold special events celebrating the beautiful game. Tonight, the team will commandeer MadTree in Oakley and Molly Malone’s in Covington to showcase FCC’s very own Miles Robinson, a star defender here in Cincinnati and a starting center-back on the USMNT.
Oakley Greens World Cup Watch Party
Oakley Greens, 3065 Vandercar Way, Oakley
Oakley Greens isn’t just showing the big World Cup matches. They’re showing ALL of them across their six wall-sized video screens, two full-service bars and 12,000 sq ft of pitch. Tonight is obviously no different.
Multiple locations
Braxton has been going all out for this year’s World Cup. At their Union and Norwood locations, the popular brewery has transformed their outdoor areas into special experiences featuring food, live music, several vendors, soccer pools, a giant stage, daily activations, special limited-time beer releases and more.
