It’s around the World in 80 bars.
With the FIFA World Cup kicking off on Thursday, June 11, soccer mania has reached a fever pitch.
For the first time in three decades, US football fanatics won’t have to travel far to catch the action.
America is co-hosting the global tournament alongside Mexico and Canada, with 11 of the 16 venues located stateside — including New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, which will host the final on July 19, 2026.
The home team’s quest for FIFA glory begins on June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
But most eyes will likely be on tourney favorite Spain, alongside contenders France, England, and Brazil, the latter of whom will play the inaugural match at MetLife when they square off against Morocco on June 13.
While the World Cup has arguably never been more accessible to NYers, tickets still start at well over $2,500 a pop.
As a service to Tri-state area soccer fans, The Post rounded up some of the primo bars where cash-strapped aficionados can get their football fill sans emptying the bank.
Best for: People who love soccer, but don’t care which team they cheer on
The Football Factory At Legends, Midtown
No home team, no problem. The Football Factory (6 W. 33rd St.), which caters to 38 different supporter clubs, will be showing every single WC game like a football-focused model UN.
“We’re looking forward to hosting people from all over the world,” owner Emmett Keenan told The Post. “If you’re not at MetLife for a game, we’re definitely the next best place.”
This might sound like it’d be packed to the rafters, but with over 50 TVs — including three big projectors on the main level and TVs outside for the big event — spread over three levels, the bar is more than ready to accommodate the international scrum.
Other good spots for those with no home team include the Red Lion on Bleecker Street and Houston Hall on Houston Street.
Best for: Team USA super fans
Rivercrest, Queens
It smells like team spirit.
While the US is not historically known as a football mecca, there is one dedicated US soccer stronghold where fans can cheer the home team: Rivercrest Bar in Queens (33-15 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria).
They’re the home of the American Outlaws, the unofficial supporter group for the men’s and women’s National Teams.
“You see a lot of unity between the Outlaws when they come in to watch the game,” the bar’s co-owner, Ciara Hunter, told The Post. Rivercrest boasts 18 TVs and a “large projector screen” to watch Team USA, per Hunter, who noted the bar will open earlier and stay open later depending on the game times.
Fans can also take advantage of some special WC deals, including a bucket of five Miller Lite bottles for $26 in homage to 2026.
Best for: Catching Messi’s final hurrah
Boca Juniors, Queens
Fans are no doubt chomping at the bit to catch Lionel Messi make one last bid for World Cup gold before retiring from international soccer for good.
Unfortunately, the soccer icon’s so-called last hurrah begins against Algeria on June 16, in Kansas City, which admittedly makes in-person viewing a long shot for Tri-state supporters.
Fortunately, NYC-based fans can experience the next best thing: a watch soiree at Argentinian meat mecca Boca Juniors (81-08 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst), named after the Argentine Football Club of the same name.
Watch Messi’s so-called Swan song while tucking into succulent skirt steak slathered with chimichurri, homemade empanadas, chitterlings, and more while surrounded by rowdy fans and memorabilia galore, including depictions of Messi and Diego Maradona as saints.
Best for: Watching the most successful World Cup team in history
Bejia Flor, Long Island City
The great thing about NYC is you can feel like you’re visiting a team’s motherland without leaving your ZIP code.
In few places is this more evident than Beijia Flor, a Brazilian bar and restaurant in Long Island City (38-02 29th St.) that’s NYC’s preeminent hub for watching Team Brazil — the most successful World Cup team in history.
They enter the tournament with a game against Morocco on Saturday, June 13.
Fans can watch the action on the venue’s giant screens, enjoy local delicacies like crispy tapioca cubes, pork cracklings, top sirloin with roasted yuca flour, and either celebrate their win or staunch the pain of a loss with cold caipirinhas.
Best for: The die-hard English expats
Smithfield Hall, Hell’s Kitchen
Go on a World Cup bender like Beckham at Smithfield Hall (138 W. 25th St.) in Hell’s Kitchen.
Billed as the “home of English Football in New York City,” this tavern will have no shortage of fans flying the Union Jack flag. But Smithfield doesn’t cater to just UK fans — this multifaceted sports bar will be playing most of the other World Cup games as well.
The menu also reflects this diversity, offering a smorgasbord of international — albeit American-focused — bar fare from quesadillas to wings to an all-day Irish breakfast.
Best for: Watching the world’s number one team
Socarrat Paella Bar, NYC
This Spanish tapas bar, which has three locations in Chelsea, Nolita and Midtown East, will broadcast all Team Spain games at its various branches as well as other WC games. Plus, instead of the typical buy-one-get-one-freebies on tepid beer and fossilized wings, they’ll be offering special gameday deals on their mouthwatering Iberian cuisine.
These offerings, available for pickup, include the Qualifier Pack, comprising four of their best tapas, and the World Cup Finals Pack with two tapas and one paella.
Best for: NYC’s classiest Francophiles
Felix, Soho
A sports bar might seem too pedestrian a venue to watch Team France.
Far more à propos for Fleur-de-lis flyers is Felix (340 W. Broadway), where French football fandom bumps elbows with mouthwatering French bistro fare like moules frites and steak tartare. It will make either the taste of victory — or defeat — go down easier when Team France takes the pitch against Senegal on June 16 at MetLife.
“This isn’t just a place to watch the game,” they write on Instagram. “It’s where people gather, feel every moment, raise a glass, and celebrate every goal over great food and an electric atmosphere.”
Best for: A Ronaldo record-breaking watch party
Portugalia Bar & Restaurant
While NYC’s bar scene likely spans nearly every nation, the best stronghold for Lusitania fans is actually across the river in Newark — not too far from MetLife Stadium.
Located in the heart of Little Portugal, Portugalia Bar & Restaurant (280½ Ferry St.) will be broadcasting all Portugal team matches, allowing fans to catch Cristiano Ronaldo take the field for the last time before the 41-year-old legend retires for good.
Alas, he may no longer be in his prime for his record sixth World Cup appearance, but the offerings at this family-style restaurant certainly are.
Along with grilled Portuguese steak, Portugalia offers such classics as BBQ chicken and pork with claims.
Best for: A German beer fest
Black Forest, Brooklyn
No German soccer viewing party would be complete without copious beer and solid Deutsche delicacies. Thankfully, Black Forest in Fort Greene (which also has another location in Cobble Hill) offers both, including 2 liters of delicious Bavarian brew in a boot-shaped glass.
At their Fort Greene location, fans can catch Team Germany play on multiple large indoor projection screens and TVs stationed throughout the beer hall, as well as a large TV on the sidewalk patio.
Although fans who want a more intimate viewing experience should probably head to the Cobble Hill location with its private outdoor covered booths, each with a dedicated TV.
Tickets cost $12 per person and get fans guaranteed entry and communal seating, along with a welcome beer.
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