It’s officially soccer season in North America, as the FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 11 for a month of highly anticipated matches across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. And what better place to celebrate this once-in-every-four-years event than Portland, AKA Soccer City? Even for those who aren’t big soccer fans, it’s hard not to be stirred up by all the football fervor thanks to Portland’s vibrant soccer community and the fact that Rose City is a regional neighbor of Seattle, one of the U.S. host cities, which will be putting on six matches from June to early July. For those who weren’t able to snag tickets to live games up in Emerald City (or simply didn’t want to brave the crowds, ticket prices, and traffic), there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the games here in Portland.
Of course, there are the standard sports bars, pubs, and restaurants showing matches on TV, where revelers can go for a drink and cheer (or boo, or gooolll) with the crowd. But beyond that, Portlanders can get even more into the World Cup mood by seeking out cuisines from participating nations thanks to our city’s multicultural food scene.
Where to Watch World Cup Games
This is Soccer City after all, so many bars and restaurants will be showing some or all of the games throughout the tournament. This is just a smattering of top spots; soccer fans have no shortage of other options to choose from, including Honorable Mention, 10 Barrel, OMSI, Sticky Wicket, and Wonderlove.
GOL
Arguably the Portland soccer bar, this fútbol-focused watering hole on Southeast Hawthorne is showing all 104 games throughout the tournament. It’s bound to be packed both inside and on the patio, but the vibes are unmatched: cheering, chanting fans decked out in team colors, waving flags, an inflatable football crowning the roof, and casual eats like tacos, burgers, sliders, and quesadillas.
Away Days Brewing Co.
In addition to airing games at its taproom on Southeast Cora, European-inspired brewery Away Days is hosting its own Soccer Fest downtown in the historic U.S. National Bank building. Running from June 11 to July 19, the festival features ticketed viewings of daily games, with different pricing tiers from General Admission ($10 plus fees) to an unlimited Gold Pass to all games ($450). Games play on a giant screen for all to enjoy, and there’s beer, grub, games, and merch.
T.C. O’Leary’s
Ireland may not have made the World Cup roster this time around, but Irish pub T.C. O’Leary’s is still hyping up teams from across the globe (especially the Ivory Coast, which has its own supporters club here) for the tournament. The popular Alberta bar is airing all matches, with doors opening half an hour before the first match of each day. Cheers your team of choice with a pint of Guinness or a Pimm’s cup and a plate of crispy fish and chips.
The Heist Bar & Food Carts
With its spacious indoor seating, covered outdoor areas, multiple screens, and wide array of food carts, this Southeast food cart pod is an ideal place to gather and catch a game. The Heist is streaming all matches, so grab a bite from one of the 20 carts, which serve everything from sushi to Korean fried chicken to barbecue, order a beer or cocktail from the bar, and find a seat within view of a screen.
Prost!
For the Summer of Soccer, this bier bar has partnered with Nike and Tursi Soccer and transformed itself into what it calls “Soccer Haus.” In addition to airing all games, there’s also a special collaboration brew, the Schwüsch Pils, from Breakside Brewery on offer. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, with the adjacent Prost! Marketplace food cart pod and decked-out dining area providing access to a wider variety of food and beverage options beyond Germanic fare.
The Independent Sports Bar & Grill
Go the classic sports bar route at this downtown staple, which has over 30 screens and ample indoor seating to catch all the World Cup matches. Expect special drink offerings, swag, easy-eating pub grub like sandwiches, burgers, and wings, and plenty of craft beer to go around. The Independent is also the official home bar of the Portland chapter of the American Outlaws supporters club, ensuring lively watch parties.
Where to Try Food and Drink from Competing World Cup Countries
Although Portland football fans don’t need to travel over borders for this World Cup (apart from Canada or Mexico games), it’s still possible to get into the tournament’s spirit of cultural exchange by trying cuisines from some of the participating countries right here in the Portland area.
With 48 teams competing, we’ve narrowed our recommendations to the seven international teams playing in nearby Seattle, but Portland’s global food scene has something for nearly all participating nations: República for Mexico, Jeju or Han Oak for the Republic of Korea, Que Bacano for Colombia, OX for Argentina, DarSalam for Iraq, Amora for Ecuador, and Akadi for Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, to name a few. Some of these spots are showing games as well, so monitor their socials for announcements.
Australia
Anyone looking to support Team Aussie and enjoy some Down Under flavor can catch games at Dingo’s Sports Pub in Southeast. Aussie meat pies, prawn or sausage rolls, grilled cheese and Vegemite “sangers,” and other Australian pub grub are on offer, washed down with no-fuss beer, wine, or cocktails.
Egypt and Qatar
Egyptian food carts are a staple at many local pods, but Elmasry Egyptian Cuisine in downtown is an ideal spot to grab a falafel sandwich, kafta plate, or rice-stuffed grape leaves post-viewing party at the nearby bar or Away Days’ Soccer Fest. At Saudi Arabian-focused restaurant Queen Mama’s Kitchen, you can also try koshari—Egypt’s national dish, made with lentils, rice, pasta, and red sauce—plus other recipes from the Arabian Peninsula, including jareesh (a savory porridge-like meal with shredded beef or chicken that’s popular in Qatar) and Arabic coffee served out of a traditional dallah pot.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
In honor of Team Bosnia-Herzegovina, head to Alma for all-you-can-eat Sarajevo-style cevapi beef sausages, tomato dolmas with Oregon albacore, and other Balkan fare from Chef Vedran Jordan, who hails from the country’s capital of Sarajevo. Two Brothers Rakia Bar + Grill is another spot for Balkan eats and rakia brandy, plus World Cup viewing for all games.
Belgium
More on the liquid side of things, official FIFA World Cup Partner Pub North 45 (which will be showing all matches on its covered outdoor patio) is the ideal place to toast to Team Belgium with its selection of Belgian-style brews, including the famed Delirium Tremens pale strong ale.
Iran
For a taste of Persian cuisine, head over the West Hills into Beaverton. Tehroon Restaurant’s large menu runs the gamut from crispy tah-dig rice and barg kabobs to stews and doogh, a classic yogurt-based beverage. Caspian Kabob is another option, with kubideh sandwiches, steak or chicken kabobs, and shirazi salad.