We Americans have almost gotten over the fact that the US men's soccer team won't be taking part in this summer's World Cup. On the bright side, we'll be able to watch and appreciate the great players of Europe, Africa, South America, Asia and elsewhere without worrying when the US will be knocked out. We won't be the only ones; the City goes soccer mad every four years, as partisans and casual onlookers cram into bars, cafés, restaurants and anywhere else that has a TV to watch the beautiful game. Here's how you can get your World Cup fix when you're in NYC.Go to a soccer-centric barA number of taverns in the City show soccer year-round—which makes sense, as soccer is one of the few sports to be played in every season, thanks to Major League Soccer covering the summer months that the European leagues take off. At any of these places, you should find knowledgeable, avid fans and an appreciation of the game. , Midtown Manhattan, Park Slope, Brooklyn, Sunset Park, Brooklyn, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, East Village, Manhattan (They've got their own !)Go to an all-round sports barNew York City has a lot of them. You can use as a starting point. Though these are places good for watching pretty much any kind of game—and may favor certain sports—the World Cup is such a towering event that it will take precedence over whatever else might be on. It also doesn't hurt that the basketball and hockey playoffs have ended—so the competition of what to watch, save for baseball day games, will be pretty nonexistent. , Sunnyside, Queens (Actually, this could easily qualify as a soccer bar.), Williamsburg, Brooklyn (So could this.), Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, Kingsbridge, Bronx, Harlem, ManhattanGo to a café-bar-restaurant that represents the nation you're rooting forYou could be a local or visitor, looking for a place to watch your side among fellow fans. Or perhaps you just want to experience the passion and intensity that soccer enthusiasts feel for their national squads. We've got places below to see a few of the odds-on favorites, plus the hosts (Russia) and the , for this World Cup; with a little digging, you should be able to find locations that correspond to every entrant in the field (and plenty of articles that list them). Brazil: , Midtown ManhattanFrance: , Boerum Hill, BrooklynGermany: , Glendale, QueensMexico: , Sunset Park, BrooklynRussia: , Brighton Beach, BrooklynSpain: , Chelsea, ManhattanGo to a big public viewing partyWe know of at least three noncommercial public locales that will be screening the matches of World Cup 2018, though it's still best to check their individual websites to ensure the game you want to watch will be shown. Advantages: you won't feel pressure to spend money on food or drinks, and you'll get to enjoy the open air. , Lower Manhattan, Eventi Hotel, NoMad, Manhattan, Dumbo, Brooklyn (Note: The semifinals and finals will be shown outdoors at the Archway; the rest of the tournament will be screened in an old retail space at the corner of Pearl and Sands Streets, set up just for World Cup viewing.) , Times Square, Manhattan (OK, you may have to buy a drink to feel justified hanging out here throughout the day, but it will be a theater-like place to watch.)Commiserate with US diehards The American Outlaws are the hardest of hardcore USMNT fans. They paint their faces, dress up in red, white and blue and travel to national team friendlies, qualifiers and tournament games. And they have five local chapters, one for each borough. Though they'll be disappointed, they are soccer fans at heart, and we imagine they'll still want to see some matches. These watering holes are their official gathering places for watch parties.Bronx: , WoodlawnBrooklyn: , Bay RidgeManhattan: , Chelsea (Here's another bar that's soccer mad pretty much all the time.) Queens: , AstoriaStaten Island: , AnnandaleFive Group Stage Games We're Looking Forward To June 15Portugal vs. SpainTwo neighboring European powerhouses may settle who wins their group very early.June 16Argentina vs. IcelandEven with the incomparable Lionel Messi, Los Gauchos barely qualified, while Iceland made a name for itself as a giant-slayer in the last Euro Championships. Plus, .June 17Germany vs. MexicoThe defending champs take on their toughest group stage opponent—and USMNT frenemies—El Tri.June 19Russia vs. EgyptIt's always exciting to watch the host country play; doubly so when they face one of the world's best players (presuming the injured Mohamed Salah recovers in time).June 28England vs. BelgiumThese uber-talented sides tend to underachieve on the big stage. Maybe one can break through this year.
