Dallas-area native Weston McKennie has been a standout for the United States during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Jane Gershovich/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images
Houston experienced FIFA World Cup excitement for weeks as the city welcomed supporters from almost every continent, including Brazil, Japan, Morocco and Germany, all in celebration of the global game’s biggest event. Bars and watch parties have been filled to the brim, water cooler talk has fervently debated the prowess of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, and locals have searched zealously for the rules of offside and penalty shootouts.
But after Morocco’s 3-0 win over Canada at Houston Stadium, the World Cup bid adieu to H-Town as the tournament begins its quarter-turn toward determining a winner.
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However, waiting another four years to tap into soccer fandom for the World Cup to return is a waste of newfound love and appreciation. This sport has plenty to offer year-round, including plenty of Texas connections to draw on. Here are a few ideas to tap into beyond the crowning of a World Cup champion.
Early mornings for European glory
If you’re a sports fan, you’re already accustomed to getting up on Saturday and Sunday mornings to watch college football and the NFL. Now it’s time to add European football to your weekend agenda.
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If you enjoyed watching games at Fan Fest in EaDo, I would highly encourage you find watch parties at various local bars in Houston when England’s Premier League or Spain’s La Liga begins play following the World Cup. Supporters of clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea (Premier League), Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) and Barcelona (La Liga) all watch games every Saturday or Sunday at Velvet Oak Tavern in Upper Kirby.
“I love coming here. I just love the atmosphere and the community,” Houston Gooners member Wayne Spiegel said to Houstonia Magazine’s Erica Cheng. “The feeling of being surrounded by other people, other supporters, and when everything goes right, and we score—the adrenaline you get from it is so exciting and just adds a lot to the match day experience.”
While global soccer stars like Haaland (Manchester City), Mbappe (Real Madrid), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) and Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) play for major club teams that are easy to find, there are American stars with Texas ties worth finding on your favorite streaming platform or at a local community group.
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Weston McKennie—a native of Little Elm—is starring for the United States as a midfielder while also playing for Juventus, a legendary club widely considered the best in Italian football history. McKennie spent 7 years in FC Dallas’s youth system, starting at age 11, before transitioning to Europe to pursue a professional career.
United States defender Chris Richards spent multiple years in Texas as an academy product of Texans SC Houston and FC Dallas before playing professionally in Europe.
Soccrates Images/Getty Images
United States’ top defender Chris Richards is an Alabama native but moved to Texas at 16 to play for Texans SC in Houston and FC Dallas, where he became a top prospect in Europe. Richards now stars for Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
And you happen to be a fan of American football’s Houston Texans, you might consider supporting J.J. Watt and his minority ownership of two clubs—Espanyol, which plays in Spain’s La Liga, and Burnley, which plays in England’s second-division league after being relegated earlier this year.
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In other words, pick a team and lean in. Find your community, learn some chants, make new friends and get comfortable. This soccer season is long but best enjoyed with friends and a cold beer at 10 a.m.
Don’t forget Houston
Let’s be clear, professional soccer has always been in Houston, and now is the best time to tap in with the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash following the World Cup.
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While the fan experience at Reliant Stadium, home of the Texans, is difficult to match, the energy at Shell Energy Stadium during a rocking game with Houston’s local teams is a worthy experience. Supporter groups like El Batallón, Texian Army and The Surge keep things rocking with fun chants, tifos and a lively experience during games, while both teams offer much more affordable tickets than the sky-high prices from the World Cup.
That affordability helps in making exposure to the game easier for the next generation.
Houston Dash star Kiki Van Zanten represented Jamaica during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Ryan Sun/NWSL via Getty Images
“It’s good to show her it’s possible down the road,” Megan Orum, a former basketball player, previously said to Chron’s Leah Vann on the importance of taking her daughter to games. “I think it’s just a lot of fun and very laid back, and it’s very family friendly.”
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While the Dynamo’s roster doesn’t feature any players participating in the World Cup, the Dash’s roster includes multiple players who will likely participate in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will take place in Brazil. Houston’s star goalkeeper Jane Campbell was called up to the United States roster to help the team qualify for the 2027 tournament, while Lisa Boattin (Italy), Sarah Puntigam (Austria) and Kiki Van Zanten (Jamaica) all participated in the 2023 World Cup.
Do some homework
So now is the time to act. Pick one club, one league and one favorite player and start from there.
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If you have a family member or friend who’s already tapped in, maybe join in on their fun—or pick their team’s rival to make things spicy. For many leagues, you’ll also need to pick a streaming platform, as the Premier League primarily broadcasts on Peacock, while La Liga and the Bundesliga are shown on ESPN+
If you have the travel bug, consider making a trip across the pond to immerse yourself further. Build a vacation around the game by picking a game to watch on another continent, as a trip to Paris, Tokyo or Buenos Aires can also make for a fun time at a game.
The World Cup might be the beginning for many on their path to soccer fandom, but now’s your chance to choose where the story goes next.
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