Fans across the Bay Area gathered this week to experience the beginning of the World Cup. While Levi’s Stadium is hosting six games, none feature the U.S. or Mexico. That left fans of the host nations — which also include Canada — to watch their opening games together in bars, restaurants and public places.
Thousands clad in green, white and red flocked to San Jose’s San Pedro Square for Mexico’s first game, a 2-1 win Thursday afternoon over South Africa. The U.S. team’s fans joined together Friday night at the Oakland Ballers’ Raimondi Park to watch the match against Paraguay.
Soccer fans raise their arms in celebration after the United States scored a goal while watching a US World Cup watch party held at Raimondi Park in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. The US played their opening match against Paraguay in the World Cup Group D in Inglewood. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Melvin Mendez, of Oakland, celebrates after the United States scored a goal while watching a US World Cup watch party held at Raimondi Park in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. The US played their opening match against Paraguay in the World Cup Group D in Inglewood. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
About 1,000 fans watch a US World Cup watch party held at Raimondi Park in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. The US played their opening match against Paraguay in the World Cup Group D in Inglewood. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Soccer fans watch a television screen during a US World Cup watch party held at Raimondi Park in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. The US played their opening match against Paraguay in the World Cup Group D in Inglewood. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Mexican fans Luis Del Toro, left, of Oakland 68 club, Ana Rivera, of Oakland, and Melissa Castro, of Brentwood, celebrate Mexico’s first goal against South Africa at the Aloha Club in the Fruitvale district of Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 11, 2026, during a live broadcast of the World Cup inaugural match in Mexico City. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Fans of Mexico watch the World Cup from the parking structure at San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif., on Thursday, June 11, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Fans of Mexico cheer after Mexico scores against South Africa during a World Cup watch party at San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, June 11, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Santiago Gutierrez, 10, holds a World Cup replica trophy with his family Melany Gutierrez, right, and Mario Gutierrez, behind him holding the Mexican Flag, during a watch party for the World Cup game between Mexico and South Africa at San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif., on Thursday, June 11, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Angelica Langarica, of San Jose, attends a watch party of the World Cup’s game between Mexico and South Africa at San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif., on Thursday, June 11, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Soccer fans attended a watch party of the World Cup inaugural match between Mexico and South Africa at the Aloha Club in the Fruitvale district of Oakland, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Meico won 2-0. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Teresa Sanchez, of Oakland, along with Mexican fans celebrate Mexico’s second goal against South Africa at the Aloha Club in the Fruitvale district of Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 11, 2026, during a live broadcast of the World Cup inaugural match in Mexico City. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Fans of Mexico watch the World Cup at San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, June 11, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Mexican fans celebrate Mexico’s first goal against South Africa at the Aloha Club in the Fruitvale district of Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 11, 2026, during a live broadcast of the World Cup inaugural match in Mexico City. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Dolly, a 6-year-old Chihuahua, attends a World Cup watch party at San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, June 11, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Fans of Mexico cheer after Mexico scores against South Africa during a World Cup watch party at San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, June 11, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
A Mexican fan wraps a flag around his waist as he and other soccer fans watch a live broadcast of the World Cup inaugural match between Mexico and South Africa at the Aloha Club in the Fruitvale district of Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 11, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland born and raised, Liam Pierce, center, along with soccer fans celebrate Mexico’s second goal against South Africa at the Aloha Club in the Fruitvale district of Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 11, 2026, during a live broadcast of the World Cup inaugural match in Mexico City. Pierce who follows Mexican soccer league, said he roots for Mexico whenever they play against the United States. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group
Soccer fans watch a live broadcast of the World Cup inaugural match between Mexico and South Africa at the Aloha Club in the Fruitvale district of Oakland, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)