World Cup fever took over downtown Sacramento as thousands of fans packed Cesar Chavez Plaza for a watch party supporting Mexico on Wednesday night, turning the area into a sea of green, white, and red.It was the first free big World Cup event put on by Sacramento Republic FC ahead of another one on Thursday and two more planned for next week. KCRA 3 noticed lines before Wednesday’s match kickoff were wrapped around the block as fans waited to get into the plaza for Mexico’s World Cup match against the Czech Republic.“I’m just a community girly, so I go where there’s people having a good time,” Dalia Robles said.Jennifer Morfin said she arrived around 5 p.m. and still found large crowds.“It was pretty great that she got here earlier,” Morfin said, referring to her sister, Liza, who helped her get in line sooner.The plaza featured activities beyond the match itself, including soccer-themed games and fan experiences.“The ‘Mundial’ is really cool,” Robles said. “It’s a global thing, but it also brings us closer together locally.” Connor Sutton of Sacramento Republic FC said the club wanted to bring the energy of the World Cup directly to the city.“We really care about this community. We live here. We work here, we play here,” Sutton said. “So we wanted to bring soccer that’s on the world stage right here to downtown Sacramento.”As chants echoed through the plaza, fans said the gathering was also a celebration of identity and heritage.“We’re rooting for the motherland — Mexico,” Robles said.Liza Morfin said the event offered a chance for people to come together during a difficult time.“With everything kind of going on, it’s nice that we can all come together and support our home country,” Morfin said.Wilfredo Cruz said the event reflected a broader sense of unity.“We’re Latinos. Come on, man. We got to unite,” Cruz said.He added that soccer has a way of bringing people together, even strangers.“It’s just been really cool to see — over soccer, friends who don’t even know what’s going on, still having a great time and still want to drink and enjoy and celebrate,” Cruz said.Mexico won the match 3-0, prompting cheers across the plaza.Sacramento Republic FC hosted another block party for the United States’ match against Turkey on Thursday.More World Cup watch parties are planned next week at Memorial AuditoriumOrganizers said more World Cup watch parties are planned next week for both the U.S. and Mexico matches in the Round of 32.The knockout round watch party for Mexico will take place on June 30 starting at 4:30 p.m. The watch party for the U.S. match on July 1 begins at 3:30 p.m. Both events will be held at Sacramento Memorial Auditorium and reservations are required. You can get your free ticket here. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
World Cup fever took over downtown Sacramento as thousands of fans packed Cesar Chavez Plaza for a watch party supporting Mexico on Wednesday night, turning the area into a sea of green, white, and red.
It was the first free big World Cup event put on by Sacramento Republic FC ahead of another one on Thursday and two more planned for next week.
KCRA 3 noticed lines before Wednesday’s match kickoff were wrapped around the block as fans waited to get into the plaza for Mexico’s World Cup match against the Czech Republic.
“I’m just a community girly, so I go where there’s people having a good time,” Dalia Robles said.
Jennifer Morfin said she arrived around 5 p.m. and still found large crowds.
“It was pretty great that she got here earlier,” Morfin said, referring to her sister, Liza, who helped her get in line sooner.
The plaza featured activities beyond the match itself, including soccer-themed games and fan experiences.
“The ‘Mundial’ is really cool,” Robles said. “It’s a global thing, but it also brings us closer together locally.”
Connor Sutton of Sacramento Republic FC said the club wanted to bring the energy of the World Cup directly to the city.
“We really care about this community. We live here. We work here, we play here,” Sutton said. “So we wanted to bring soccer that’s on the world stage right here to downtown Sacramento.”
As chants echoed through the plaza, fans said the gathering was also a celebration of identity and heritage.
“We’re rooting for the motherland — Mexico,” Robles said.
Liza Morfin said the event offered a chance for people to come together during a difficult time.
“With everything kind of going on, it’s nice that we can all come together and support our home country,” Morfin said.
Wilfredo Cruz said the event reflected a broader sense of unity.
“We’re Latinos. Come on, man. We got to unite,” Cruz said.
He added that soccer has a way of bringing people together, even strangers.
“It’s just been really cool to see — over soccer, friends who don’t even know what’s going on, still having a great time and still want to drink and enjoy and celebrate,” Cruz said.
Mexico won the match 3-0, prompting cheers across the plaza.
Sacramento Republic FC hosted another block party for the United States’ match against Turkey on Thursday.
More World Cup watch parties are planned next week at Memorial Auditorium
Organizers said more World Cup watch parties are planned next week for both the U.S. and Mexico matches in the Round of 32.
The knockout round watch party for Mexico will take place on June 30 starting at 4:30 p.m. The watch party for the U.S. match on July 1 begins at 3:30 p.m.
Both events will be held at Sacramento Memorial Auditorium and reservations are required. You can get your free ticket here.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel