World Cup 2022 - Game Day Specials in DC, MD and VA, plus: Game Schedule and Trivia
The World Cup launches this Sunday, November 20th and is expected to be unlike the World Cup of years past. Traditionally the international soccer tournament is played during summer months in the Northern Hemisphere and this is the first time it is being held during the winter months, here. (The stadiums will all be air conditioned). This is also the first time the World Cup is being hosted by a country in the Gulf region. Another first: six female referees will be officiating the games.
WHAT: The 22nd World Cup, an international soccer tournament made up of 32 teams that takes place every four years
WHEN : Sunday, November 20th - Sunday, December 18th
WHERE: Qatar. The games can be viewed in the US on Fox Sports1, Telemundo, Universo, Peacock.
TRIVIA / WC ‘22 FUN FACTS
About the World Cup 2022 Mascot
In 1986 when the World Cup was hosted in the UK, the mascot was World Cup Willie, in 1970 when Mexico was the host country, the mascot was Juanito and this year, the mascot of the Games is La’eeb (which translates to “super-skilled player” in Arabic), a character in traditional headdress.
About the Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony is set to take place on Sunday, November 20th (11 am EST), right before the opening match. The list of performers scheduled to perform include: The Black Eyed Peas, Robbie Williams, Nora Fatehi and K-Pop star Jung Kook.
Official World Cup Song
The official World Cup soundtrack includes a single called Light the Sky by four famous Arab female singers, Balqees, Nora Fatehi, Manal and Rahma Riad.
Official Match Ball
In Brazil the 2014 official match ball was called Brazuca, this year, in Qatar the official match ball is called Al Rihla.
Watching the World Cup in the DC area
There are many establishments about town which will be playing all the matches, despite the time difference (Qatar is eight hours ahead of the EST time zone), and some will be open for games starting as early as 5:00 am EST! And yes, they will be serving coffee, as well as mimosas and bloody mary’s. We’ve gathered just a few in DC, Maryland and Virginia.
Traditionally in the DC area, fans can be caught everywhere catching a glimpse of the latest match - from the basements of the embassies, to the conference rooms of international finance institutions, to local eateries on a lunch break - it seems the World Cup brings out the soccer fan in all of us.
A schedule of the games can be found here and in the graphic below (take a screenshot for quick reference!).
We are looking forward to watching the games throughout the DC, MD and VA area at the following venues throughout the next few weeks! The games will be played from Sunday, November 20th through Sunday, December 18th, with games playing on Thanksgiving Day in the U.S., as well. It is recommended that you arrive prior to the match starting, as it can get quite busy during matches! Reservations are recommended for larger parties - rules vary by venue.
NoMA
Wunder Garten 1101 First Street Northeast Washington, DC 20002
Features Watch Parties including the match of US vs Wales, Monday, Nov 21st. Wunder Garten is partnering with multiple embassies of countries participating in the viewing of the international tournament. Among the partnering embassies: Wales, UK, Germany, Spain, Australia and Belgium.
Lunas de Buenos Aires, Argentine Street Food, Union Market, Washington, DC Argentine Street Food including : empanadas, Quilmes, choripan and fugazzetta are some of their offerings as well as a huge mural dedicated to the soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona. Takeout orders and more.
MetroBar - 640 Rhode Island Avenue Northeast Washington, DC 20002, District Sports, a Washington-based non-profit soccer league is hosting Mundial Month watch parties with partnering organizations at Metrobar. Its full schedule of events and more details appear here.
ARLINGTON, VA
Clarendon Ballroom, Arlington, VA, Offers lunch and viewing party specials and boasts an expansive sound system and both projector and video walls. Kick back and enjoy the game with a cooler and a seat on a couch. Reservations may be required, based on your needs.
Crystal City Sports Pub- 529 23rd St. S., Arlington Most matches will be shown here at this local sports bar in Crystal City. More information on the Pub’s website.
DUPONT CIRCLE + VICINITY
Public Bar Live - DC Sports Bar with multiple viewing spaces (over 50 screens) plus a rooftop bar. Will be showing most of the World Cup Games.
Dupont Circle - Live World Cup matches will be shown on an outdoor screen on the plaza,
A World Cup Washington tradition.
Del Sur Cafe Specials include $4 empanadas, $5 select beers during the following games: Fri November 25 : Netherlands vs. Ecuador 11:00 am, England vs. USA 2:00 pm, Sat Nov 26th: France vs Denmark 11 am, Argentina vs. Mexico 2:00 pm, Wednesday November 30: Poland vs. Argentina 2:00 pm, Fri December 2nd: Ghana vs. Uruguay 10 am and Cameroon vs. Brazil 2:00 pm. More details on their site!
Malbec Boutique Argentine Steakhouse-1633 17TH St. N.W. Washington, DC 20009 Specials on food/drink during the World Cup. Lively atmosphere. More information on website.
Astro Beer Hall 1306 G street NW, Washington, D.C. 20005, Most World Cup matches will be shown. Check out their menu offerings.
Biergarten Haus- H Street / Capitol Hill, 1355 H St NE, Washington D.C., Authentic German Beer Garden, Outdoor Bar, and Restaurant, Will be showing most World Cup Games, upbeat, communal tables and outdoor firepits (indoor and outdoor with heat lamps) and extensive beer selection. Accepts reservations for 10 or more. All games 8am and onward will be broadcast with sound, of course. Limited breakfast/lunch menu available during morning matches. The a.m. drink options include Coffee (regular or Irish), Bloody Marys, Mimosas, etc. WiFi available for the work-from-home crowd. *Patio is dog-friendly but subject to change based on crowd size. TV’s throughout.
McClellan’s Sports Bar at the Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009, Most live World Cup matches will be shown. Information on website.
Hook Hall 3400 Georgia Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC, Buckets of beer, game day food specials, massive tables. Will be showing all games. Visit website for more information,
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Dogwood Tavern - 132 West Broad street, Falls Church, VA 22046, Central location in downtown Falls Church with TV’s indoors and outdoors. Call ahead to make sure they’re playing your match that day. More information.
Babylon Futbol Cafe- 3501 S Jefferson St, Falls Church, VA 22041 (near Skyline). Most World Cup games will be shown on the TV’s lining the walls of Babylon. Hookah available as well as a full menu of international food choices. Open late.
Greenhouse Bistro - 2070 Chain Bridge Road Vienna, VA 22182 (Tysons area)updates coming soon!
Four Provinces, 105 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046, Most World Cup matches will be shown at this well-established neighborhood Irish bar.
Kilroy’s 5250 A Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22151, Established sports bar in Northern Virginia, Will be showing most World Cup games.
Whole Foods, Fair Lakes 4501 Market Commons Dr, Fairfax, VA 22033, Family friendly World Cup viewing on large communal tables. Beer and wine available as well as food options.
Tango Pastry 6100 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA 22303 (Hours: 7am - 7pm)
Special combinations of pizza, empanadas, available. Visit social media site for specifics!
GEORGETOWN
Clubhouse, Georgetown - 1070 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007, Known as “DC’s Croatian World Cup viewing HQ”. Tickets for Croatian games will be sold at the door and through eventbrite. Portion of the profits made will benefit the Children's Home "Vrbina" in Croatia. Beer Specials will be available throughout the World Cup. Schedule info: 202-847-0953/ World Cup information
Pizzeria Paradiso (Georgetown) 3282 M Street NW Washington DC, World Cup viewing in the gameroom downstairs. Options on takeout and menu on website.
LOUDON COUNTY, VIRGINIA
Tally Ho Theatre, Leesburg, Virginia - Some of the matches will be shown at this historic theatre in downtown Leesburg. Check here for more information.
Revolution Sportsplex, Leesburg, Virginia - VA Revolution Sportsplex, 19623 Evergreen Mills Rd, Leesburg,VA - Watch Parties on multiple dates, more information on their website.
Maryland (Montgomery County)
Tommy Joes - 7940 Norfolk Avenue Bethesda, MD, Will show all games starting at 10:00 am / More information
El Patio - 5240 Randolph RD Rockville, MD 20852 will be showing all Argentina matches, including the November 22nd match Argentina vs. Saudia Arabia at 5 am. Traditional Argentine empanadas, beer and see more here.
Old Town Pour House - 212 Ellington Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 - Friendly sports bar ambience with multiple screens throughout. Will be showing Live World Cup matches including morning matches. Closed Thanksgiving Day. More information on PH’s website.
Stay tuned for updates and contact us with places we can add!
Game schedule through December 2nd, all times are EST.