A City Transformed by Soccer Fever
The 2026 World Cup has officially opened its doors, marking the first time in decades that the United States has co‑hosted the tournament, and fans across the country are turning their living rooms, bars and community spaces into impromptu stadiums. In Minneapolis, the buzz is especially visible at 9th Street Soccer and Coffee, a neighborhood bar that has converted two indoor soccer fields into viewing zones, complete with massive screens, a DJ spinning match‑day anthems and a rotating food‑truck menu.
Will Schuemann, the manager of the venue, says the sport’s global reach is impossible to ignore. “Soccer is the biggest sport in the world,” he told reporters, noting that the World Cup brings together cultures the way few other events can.
Fans Share Their Predictions
Among the regulars, Minneapolis resident Faisal Amin is already picking his favorites, predicting that Portugal and Morocco could lift the trophy, while fellow fan Sulima Amin lists France, Portugal and Brazil among her top teams.
Felix Steven Iaa, a Cameroonian‑born resident who has been playing soccer since childhood, adds a personal touch to the gathering, sharing stories of early mornings on dusty pitches and the joy of watching the world’s best compete.
The excitement will crescendo on Friday evening when the U.S. men’s national team opens its Group Stage against Paraguay at 8 p.m., a match that will be streamed live on the venue’s screens and watched by thousands of local supporters.