Raimondi Park in Oakland was filled with soccer fans Friday night, cheering on the United States men’s national soccer team for their first game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
At the Oakland Ballers’ Raimondi Park, the baseball team hosted a free watch party. In the outfield of the stadium, families and friends congregated on blankets and quilts to cheer on the U.S. as they faced off against Paraguay. Fans could also watch from the stadium bleachers.
The game, which was played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood was not much of a contest as Team USA clobbered Paraguay, beating them 4-1 in a group stage match.
With each U.S. goal, fans at Raimondi Park erupted with joy.
Parents saw the activity as a great way to spend a Friday evening with their kids. Across Raimondi Park, children chased each other around the open field.
One parent, Akshay Chander, was looking for family-friendly watch parties and found the Raimondi Park party online during his search.
“I feel like it brings the community together,” Chander said in an interview. “This their first time experiencing the World Cup and instead of watching it at home, I think it’s important for them to see other people also experiencing it and feel the energy.”
Members from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oakland were also in attendance. Donte Gohleston, the athletic director of the Boys and Girls Club located on High Street, made similar comments.
“We are the community so it’s important we show up for community events,” said the Oakland native.
Concessions were available for fans and there were also official vendors at the watch party, selling merchandise from different Oakland sports teams.
Future watch parties at Raimondi Park are pending, but for further updates fans can check the Oakland Ballers social media sites.
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