With teams like Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands scheduled to play in Houston next summer, fans are thrilled.<\/p>\n
HOUSTON \u2014 The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> is underway, and Houston soccer fans got an early taste of the excitement Saturday at Shell Energy Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n Hundreds of fans poured into the home of the Houston Dynamo for the \u201cHouston Soccer Celebration Kickoff,\u201d an event featuring games, photo ops, and appearances from soccer legends as the city gears up to host seven World Cup matches next summer.<\/p>\n With the group stage matchups announced earlier in the day<\/a>, including powerhouse teams like Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands scheduled to play in H-Town<\/a>, fans said the reality of the World Cup coming to Houston is starting to feel real.<\/p>\n \u201cActually, it\u2019s very exciting. It\u2019s something that we wanted to take part in in Houston,\u201d soccer fan Jennifer Chavez said. \u201cWe\u2019re just ready to see what team comes in and maybe catch a game.\u201d<\/p>\n For many, it is a chance to relive the magic of past tournaments.<\/p>\n \u201cI went to it when it was in Dallas, and it was a good experience, and I want to do it again here. You know, it\u2019s something where everybody wants to be there,\u201d soccer fan Wilfredo Chavez said.<\/p>\n And even fans whose favorite teams are not on Houston\u2019s match schedule<\/a> for the group stage are still all in.<\/p>\n \u201cArgentinos love the soccer, love the soccer. Soccer is special, but we love the Dynamo and the World Cup is the best for us,\u201d soccer fan Cnokaert Marilina said.<\/p>\n Others said they hope the tournament schedule eventually brings their home countries to Houston as the knockout rounds begin.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are very excited. We\u2019re ready. Go Mexico! I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s coming here, but we hope,\u201d soccer fan Armando Soto said.<\/p>\n During the kickoff event, families snapped photos with a replica FIFA World Cup trophy, met former U.S. Men\u2019s National Team star DaMarcus Beasley and Mexican legend Luis \u201cEl Matador\u201d Hern\u00e1ndez, and they also played soccer-themed games scattered across the stadium.<\/p>\n It was clear that fans cannot wait for the World Cup. For them, soccer is not just a sport \u2013 it is a bonding experience.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something that we do as a family, so it is pretty exciting, emotional,\u201d soccer fan Silvia Macias said.<\/p>\n Local business owners and city leaders are also eagerly awaiting the global event. Officials estimate that the seven World Cup matches in Houston<\/a> will\u00a0have a roughly $1.5 billion<\/a>\u00a0economic impact on\u00a0the region.<\/p>\n