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Zita Rincon can’t wait to start welcoming World Cup fans to her Preston Street restaurant.
“I just want all the people who come to see how it is to celebrate with Mexicans,” said Rincon, a server at Casa Mexico in Ottawa’s Little Italy neighbourhood.
With the 2026 edition of the World Cup kicking off Thursday, Casa Mexico will be showing the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa, plus many more matches over the next few weeks.
They’re just one of dozens of local bars, restaurants and even bowling alleys that will be opening their doors to soccer fans.
Here’s a selection of some spots where you can catch the action.
Established Atlético Ottawa headquarters Glebe Central Pub is vowing to show every match of the “international quadrennial soccer thingy,” as they’re marketing it — no doubt keenly aware of FIFA’s strict trademark rules.
The Senate Tavern is also welcoming World Cup fans on social media, and say reservations are recommended.
Braumeister Bierhalle and Minotaure in Gatineau have also pledged to show all the matches. For fans seeking a more family-friendly experience, the Splitsville bowling alley in Kanata is airing the games.
Now for a few country-specific events:
Fans of the Netherlands will be flocking to Local Heroes in Nepean for all three of their first-round matches.Brazil kicks off their World Cup campaign on Saturday, and Hometown Sports Grill is hosting a party with live music for their opener against 2022 semi-finalists Morocco.Fans of Iran will also be gathering at Hometown for their first-round clashes.Haiti is returning to the World Cup for the first time in decades, and their debut match against Scotland on Saturday is being shown on the big screen at the Skate and Play roller rink, with a film screening and live interviews about Haitian football beforehand.The Ottawa Haitian Hub is also hosting a watch party for the June 19 game against Brazil at the Senate Tavern’s Clarence Street location.Braumeister Bierhalle is hosting a special watch party when Germany takes on Ivory Coast on June 20. It’s in collaboration with the German Embassy. Instant du Palais, a new West African restaurant on Somerset Street, is pledging to show all the games that are on during opening hours — especially Ivory Coast matches.
Of course, Canada is back at the tournament — they automatically qualified as one of the three host nations — and there will be numerous parties for their opening match Friday against Bosnia-Herzegovina, including at the Heart and Crown in the ByWard Market and at Craft Lansdowne.
The Lansdowne event is being hosted by Ottawa Rapid FC.
Outside the city, Friday’s big game is also being shown at the Clarence Creek Arena in Clarence-Rockland, Ont.
Bars in eastern Ontario will also be able to extend last call until 4 a.m. during the tournament.