⚽ 10 Ways to Celebrate the World Cup (Soccer Fan or Not)
On the heels of GLAM Jam Summer Kickoff’s Soccer Village hosted by HopCat, soccer continues with the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to North America. This is the perfect summer to lean into the excitement, even if you don’t know the difference between a corner kick and a goal kick You definitely don’t need to know what offsides means to enjoy the World Cup.
The World Cup is a chance to celebrate culture, community, and a little friendly competition. Here are 10 ways to join in on the fun right here in Greater Lansing.
Before sharing some ideas to celebrate, places to watch the World Cup and upcoming tournaments locally, and a few soccer tidbits we we learned:
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest in history.
48 countries will compete.
Matches will be played across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
More than 5 billion people are expected to follow the tournament worldwide.
Now let’s celebrate…
⚽ Pick a country to support
Let each family member choose a nation and follow them throughout the tournament.
⚽ Host an international snack night
Serve foods from participating countries. Tacos, poutine, pretzels, empanadas, croissants, and more.
⚽ Create a World Cup passport
Kids can “visit” a new country each match day and collect stamps.
⚽ Learn the flags
Turn it into a scavenger hunt or trivia game.
⚽ Have a backyard penalty kick challenge
No soccer experience required. Just a ball and a goal (or two lawn chairs).
⚽ Watch a match at a local restaurant or sports bar
The atmosphere often makes the game easier to enjoy, even for casual fans.
⚽ Try soccer for a day
Visit a local park and play 3v3 or family pickup soccer.
⚽ Make a World Cup bracket
Even non-soccer fans can get invested once predictions are involved.
⚽ Learn a soccer chant
Every country has one. Kids especially love this.
⚽ Celebrate the cultures
The World Cup is as much about the countries, traditions, music, and food as it is the sport.
Possible spots to watch the World Cup
Edmunds
Lucky’s
Ozone’s Brewhouse
Pins & Pints
The Irish Pub
How about some places to catch some games featuring the best of the best local athletes live?
Local Soccer Finals at Michigan State University – The 2026 MHSAA Soccer Finals are being held at Michigan State University this week, making it a great opportunity for families to see high-level soccer close to home
Hope Soccer Complex is the place to catch an outdoor soccer game many days of the week – If families want to get out and play, one of the area’s largest soccer destinations is Hope Sports Complex, which regularly hosts leagues, tournaments, and soccer programming (and lacrosse too). And while you’re there, grab a bit at Cleat’s Bar and Grill
Catch a Lansing Common FC game at Eastern Stadium
Play the official FIFA World Cup Fantasy Game HERE
Interested in filling out your own bracket? Click HERE for the official FIFA World Cup Bracket Challenge
Check back, this is an international event that spans over the course of 6 weeks, GLAMoms will update this as we learn of more events, activities and opportunities to enjoy 2026 World Cup Soccer locally!
Local soccer inspired events
