This browser does not support the Video element.
FIFA Fan Fest continues as USA takes on Paraguay
The festival runs through Sunday at the Exposition Park venue and is expected to attract thousands of local and international soccer fans. For a $10 admission fee (children 12 and under enter free), attendees get access to live match broadcasts on giant screens, cultural programming, food and beverage vendors, and sponsor exhibits.
LOS ANGELES - The FIFA World Cup has officially taken over Los Angeles, and the celebration is already underway.
As the United States prepares to open its tournament campaign against Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) this evening, the FIFA Fan Festival has launched at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, giving soccer fans an active home base to watch matches, catch live concerts, and celebrate the game.
What we know:
The main festival is currently running at the Exposition Park venue and is expected to attract thousands of local and international soccer fans through Sunday.
For a $10 admission fee (children 12 and under enter free), attendees are already gaining access to live match broadcasts on giant screens, cultural programming, food and beverage vendors, and sponsor exhibits.
SUGGESTED: How to watch today’s World Cup matches: Friday, June 12
The ongoing event features special appearances by the official FIFA World Cup 2026 mascots: Maple, Zayu, and Clutch. A cornerstone attraction is "Beckham's Backyard," a fan activation presented by The Home Depot and inspired by former England captain David Beckham, which features digital soccer target-practice games and family workshops.
This browser does not support the Video element.
FIFA fans urged to take Metro during World Cup festivities
With the FIFA World Cup getting underway, Metro officials announced that a team of about 2,000 transit agency employees will be deployed throughout Los Angeles County during the tournament to assist riders using the agency's enhanced transit services.
Additionally, six official tournament retail pop-up stores are now operating across the region through July 31, selling official jerseys, apparel, hats, and mascot merchandise. The stores are located at:
- Third Street Promenade (Santa Monica)
- Manhattan Village (Manhattan Beach)
- The Bloc (Downtown LA)
- Grand Central Market (Downtown LA)
- Ovation Hollywood (Hollywood)
- Del Amo Fashion Center (Torrance)
The USMNT vs. Paraguay Matchup
The highly anticipated 6 p.m. Group D opener marks the second time these nations have ever met in a World Cup.
The first took place nearly a century ago in the inaugural 1930 tournament, where the Americans defeated Paraguay 3-0 on a historic Bert Patenaude hat trick.
The U.S. enters the match ranked 17th by FIFA and holds a 5-2-2 all-time series lead over 40th-ranked Paraguay.
SUGGESTED: 2026 FIFA World Cup: How to avoid traffic at LA Stadium
However, pre-match metrics expect a razor-thin contest.
The Opta supercomputer gives the Americans a 39.6 percent chance of winning based on 10,000 simulations, compared to a 33.8 percent chance for Paraguay, and a 26.6 percent chance of a draw.
The 26-man American roster features 13 returning veterans from the 2022 tournament, including two homegrown Los Angeles County products: midfielder Cristian Roldan (El Rancho High School alumnus) and forward Haji Wright (former LA Galaxy Academy player). Paraguay's roster features plenty of top-flight global experience, including midfielder Andrés Cubas, who plays alongside American midfielder Sebastian Berhalter for MLS' Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Timeline:
The ongoing festival schedule, broadcast lineups, and upcoming regional Fan Zone dates roll out as follows:
Friday (Today): Broadcasts of Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina and United States vs. Paraguay (6 p.m.); live music performances by Steve Aoki and DJ Ravidrums.
Saturday: Broadcasts of Brazil vs. Morocco and Haiti vs. Scotland; live music performance by Capital Cities.
Sunday: Broadcasts of Germany vs. Curacao and Netherlands vs. Japan; live music performances by Normani and Sickick.
June 18–21: Official Fan Zone opens at The Original Farmers Market.
June 20: Official Fan Zone opens in the City of Downey.
June 25–28: Official Fan Zone opens at Union Station.
July 2–5: Official Fan Zone opens at Hansen Dam Lake.
July 4–5: Official Fan Zone opens at Earvin "Magic" Johnson Park.
July 9–11: Official Fan Zone opens at Whittier Narrows.
July 10–11: Official Fan Zone opens at Venice Beach.
July 14–15 & July 18–19: Official Fan Zones open at Fairplex in Pomona and West Harbor in San Pedro.
July 18–19: Official Fan Zones open in Downtown Burbank.
This browser does not support the Video element.
World Cup expected to bring big economic boost
As LA prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world, local officials and business leaders are anticipating a surge in economic activity fueled by tourism.
What they're saying:
Team leadership and city venue officials have expressed high stakes and massive excitement as the first day of local tournament play arrives.
"My expectation is tomorrow is going to be a very tough game," U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said Thursday. "It's going to be tough because Paraguay not only are competitive and aggressive (but) they have good quality (and) a great coach in Gustavo Alfaro, who is doing a great job and I respect and admire him a lot. It's going to be very, very difficult."
SUGGESTED: Meet the USMNT players from California
"Exposition Park is ready to host the ultimate soccer celebration for Los Angeles," Andrea Ambriz, general manager of Exposition Park, said in a statement. "As a global hub of sports, culture, and entertainment, we will deliver an unforgettable experience for local and international World Cup fans."
What's next:
As the main Coliseum festival wraps up this Sunday, the tournament celebration will fragment into a series of official Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zones operating across the region throughout June and July to keep local communities connected.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Team USA watch party takes over Santa Monica Place
The Santa Monica Police Department announced today an increased public safety presence focused on tourist destinations and other high-traffic areas amid the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
On the pitch, the stakes are clear for the remainder of the group stage: the top two teams of each of the 12 four-team groups in this expanded 48-team tournament will advance to the 32-team knockout stage, along with the eight best third-placed teams across all groups.
What you can do:
If you are planning to head down to the festival this weekend or visit any of the upcoming regional Fan Zones, tournament officials encourage you to review the full schedule of events, match listings, transportation options, and safety guidelines by visiting the official host city website at losangelesfwc26.com.
Tuning In or Traveling to the Match
Watch on TV: The match will be televised live in English by FOX and in Spanish by Telemundo.
Attend a Free Watch Party: If you don't have tickets to SoFi Stadium or the Coliseum festival, free public watch parties are happening at the Autry Museum, Burton Chace Park (Marina Del Rey), Carson Event Center, Duarte Sports Park, Ovation Hollywood, Pasadena Civic Auditorium Plaza, Plummer Park (West Hollywood), Santa Monica Place, Stephen Sorensen Park (Palmdale), and Veterans Memorial Park (Culver City).
SUGGESTED: Fans celebrate Mexico’s tournament opener win at Casa Mexico in downtown Los Angeles
"Kick It In the Park" Parties: Additional community watch events organized by the Office of Mayor Karen Bass and LA Department of Recreation and Parks are taking place at Jackie Tatum Harvard Recreation Center and Evermont Plaza in South Los Angeles, Stoner Recreation Center in West Los Angeles, and Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills.
Take Transit: According to Metro, about 2,000 office employees have left regular assignments to assist transit operations. Metro has deployed enhanced World Cup bus services connecting SoFi Stadium with more than 15 major transit stations across LA and Orange counties. The newly opened LAX/Metro Transit Center Station will serve as a major connection point for fans coming directly from the airport.
The Source: This report is based directly on official event scheduling and live announcements released by the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 organizing committee.