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WHERE TO WATCH THE GAMES
The final game is at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18. The Washington Post offers several options for where to watch the game on TV and where to stream it online.
Several spots in San Antonio have consistently offered watch parties, and by now most fans have their favorite bars or restaurants. Given the intensifying popularity of the Men’s World Cup since mid-November, most establishments that regularly televise sports events will likely have at least one TV tuned to the game, depending on their business hours. They may also show reruns of the games. All times CST.
The businesses below have hosted watch parties in recent weeks:
Smoke BBQ + Skybar: 501 East Crockett St.Chicken N Pickle: 5215 UTSA Blvd.The Lucky Duck SATX: 810 North Alamo St.Roadmap Brewing Co.: 723 North AlamoDave & Busters: Check location The Growler Exchange: 4130 Broadway St #2The Hangar Bar & Grill: 8203 BroadwayEuropa Restaurant & Bar: 8811 Fredericksburg Rd.Stout House TPC: 22810 US Highway 281, Ste 103Trisha’s Social Sips / Wheatley Heights Sports Complex: 200 Noblewood
FinalArgentina v. FranceDec. 18, 9 a.m.
Related coverage
The Guardian: Messi’s final World Cup is not just a competition. It is a cause, a rebellionThe Athletic: Is Messi the greatest? It’s OK to debate it — don’t let people ruin your funThe Guardian: Antoine Griezmann’s devilment gives France the edge when it mattersESPN: Why Lionel Messi is the best male athlete of all timeAssociated Press: Argentina fans adopt ‘Muchachos’ as their World Cup anthemAssociated Press: EXPLAINER — Why are Argentines such ardent World Cup fans?The Guardian: France do just enough to go forward — but will they have more for the final?
Looking ahead …
The worldwide community of soccer fans have said goodbye to the 2022 Men’s World Cup. But they’re also looking to the horizon, with two specific years at the forefront of their imaginations: 2023 and 2026.
Next year, Australia and New Zealand will host FIFA’s Women’s World Cup, from July 20 to Aug. 20. It’s the first time two nations host the women’s games. Like the men’s games, the Women’s World Cup is held every four years. Unlike the men’s games, the U.S. outlook is much brighter. The Americans have won this trophy four times, including their 2019 faceoff with the Netherlands.
The Women’s World Cup was established in 1991 as a 12-team tournament. In 2023, it will feature teams from 32 nations — a reflection of the massive growth and popularity of women’s soccer around the world. Some fans consider the Women’s World Cup — in terms of skill, intelligence of strategy and tactics, and overall quality of teams — far superior to the men’s championship.
The other significant year to keep in mind is 2026, when the Men’s World Cup returns. Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will share the games among more than a dozen cities — including Houston and Arlington.
In early December, Houston Public Media (HPM) reported that officials from Houston visited the Qatar games for insight into how to host World Cup games. KERA recently reported that Dallas officials also traveled to Qatar to learn from their hosting experiences. Monica Paul was among them. She estimated that the Men’s World Cup could have a $400 million impact — per match — on the Dallas Fort Worth economy, not including the final game itself.
Building on the excitement generated over the 2022 and 2023 tournaments, the presence of the 2026 Men’s World Cup in North America is expected to further intensify homegrown enthusiasm for soccer, in a nation and state that still mostly loves baseball and American football. How that enthusiasm will translate into a successful men’s U.S. soccer team — one that lives up to the triumphs the women’s team has worked hard to earn — remains to be seen.
2023 Women’s World Cup
The New York Times: The U.S. Women’s Team Has Won Millions at the Men’s World Cup
2026 Men’s World Cup
Associated Press: After World Cup, US men recede to background for 3 1/2 yearsAssociated Press: The World Cup stars who could be on the move after QatarAl Jazeera: Is World Cup 2022 moving football’s future further east?Associated Press: FIFA targets $11 billion in revenue through 2026 World CupAssociated Press: Infantino gives FIFA wish list of new and revamped eventAssociated Press: The next World Cup will jump to 48 teams. Is bigger better?The Athletic: FIFA consider introducing group-stage penalty shootouts at 2026 World Cup
2030 Men’s World Cup
Associated Press: After World Cup success, Morocco has renewed aims to hostThe Guardian: Ukraine’s 2030 World Cup bid likely dead after country’s FA chief arrested
PAST GAMES AND ANALYSIS
PEDRO NUNES
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REUTERS
United States fans wearing fancy dresses during the U.S.-Wales game on Nov. 21, 2022.
Sunday, Nov. 20Qatar 0 — Ecuador 2
Related coverage
The New York Times: Qatar Stepped Onto the World Cup Stage. And Immediately Stumbled.The Guardian: Frazzled Qatar team fluff their lines on World Cup’s surreal opening nightAssociated Press: World Cup opener watched by 7.2 million viewers in US
Monday, Nov. 21England 6 — Iran 2 Senegal 0 — Netherlands 2 USA 1 — Wales 1
Related coverage
90Min: England – Iran breaks record for longest World Cup gameThe Guardian: USA’s European elite sparkle then fizzle on World Cup return against WalesAssociated Press: Women’s protests overshadow Iran’s World Cup lossAssociated Press: Saka, Rashford help England rout Iran 6-2 at World CupKUT: Texans to play key roles in U.S. men’s World Cup return
Tuesday, Nov. 22Argentina 1– Saudi Arabia 2 Denmark 0 — Tunisia 0 Mexico 0 — Poland 0 France 4 — Australia 1
Related coverage
The Guardian: Giroud equals Henry’s goal record as France survive scare to thrash AustraliaAssociated Press: Mexico and Poland play out 0-0 draw at World CupAssociated Press: Frappart becomes 1st woman ref for men’s World Cup matchThe Athletic: Lionel Messi on Argentina’s shock defeat by Saudi Arabia — ‘There are no excuses’The Guardian: Where does Saudi Arabia’s win over Argentina rank in World Cup shocks?The Washington Post: Saudi Arabia shocks Argentina with a World Cup upset for the history booksThe Guardian: Saudi Arabia stun Argentina as Salem al-Dawsari winner crowns comebackAssociated Press: Messi enters World Cup as Argentina plays Saudi Arabia
Wednesday, Nov. 23Morocco 0 — Croatia 0 Germany 1 — Japan 2Spain 7 — Costa Rica 0 Belgium 1 — Canada 0
Related coverage
Thursday, Nov. 24Switzerland 1 — Cameroon 0 Uruguay 0 — South Korea 0Portugal 3 — Ghana 2 Brazil 2 — Serbia 0
Related coverage
Associated Press: Embolo scores, doesn’t celebrate as Swiss win at World CupAssociated Press: Ronaldo becomes 1st male player to score at 5 World CupsThe Athletic: How Brazil defeated Serbia 2-0 courtesy of Richarlison goalsAssociated Press: Brazil fans at World Cup show support for soccer great Pel?Yahoo Sports: Why players lie down to defend free kicksESPN: Richarlison’s goal of the tournament candidate lifts Brazil past gritty Serbia The New York Times: The New RecruitsThe Guardian: From Neymar to Jesus, Brazil’s brilliant forwards can turn any match in Qatar
Friday, Nov. 25Wales 0 — Iran 2 Qatar 1 — Senegal 3Netherlands 1 — Ecuador 1 England 0 — USA 0
Related coverage
Reuters: Goalless draws at World Cup come from cautious approachAssociated Press: Show’s over already for host Qatar’s World Cup teamThe Athletic: Qatar — A forgettable team who failed to distract from World Cup’s bigger issuesCNN: US remains unbeaten against England at World Cups after goalless draw in QatarThe Guardian: My generation of US players was jealous of cocky England. Beating them was a joyAssociated Press: ‘Angry’ Van Gaal looking for a joyous World Cup farewell
Saturday, Nov. 26Tunisia 0 — Australia 1 Poland 2 — Saudi Arabia 0France 2 — Denmark 1 Argentina 2 — Mexico 0
Related coverage
The Athletic: Deschamps’ France defy World Cup doubters and prove they are still the real dealYahoo Sports: Lionel Messi pulls Argentina out of a World Cup nightmare in 2-0 win over MexicoThe Guardian: Fear not Argentina and Germany, World Cup winners can start slowlyThe New York Times: For Mexico, an Unlucky SevenAssociated Press: Thuram isn’t burdened by his father’s World Cup achievements
Sunday, Nov. 27Japan 0 — Costa Rica 1 Belgium 0 — Morocco 2Croatia 4 — Canada 1 Spain 1 — Germany 1
Related coverage
BBC Sport: Germany’s Jamal Musiala again shows his potential as he impresses against SpainAssociated Press: Morocco pulls off another World Cup upset, beats Belgium 2-0Associated Press: Riots in Belgium, Netherlands after Morocco win at World CupAssociated Press: Germany salvages 1-1 draw against Spain at World CupAssociated Press: Croatia downs Canada 4-1 at World Cup on Kramaric’s 2 goals
Monday, Nov. 28Cameroon 3 — Serbia 3 South Korea 2 — Ghana 3Brazil 1 — Switzerland 0 Portugal 2 — Uruguay 0
Related coverage
The Guardian: Protester who ran on to pitch banned by Qatar from World Cup matchesESPN: World Cup protester released without charges after running onto pitch during Portugal-UruguayThe Athletic: Neymar can do it all. So how on earth do Brazil recreate what he brings to the team?Associated Press: After latest milestone, Ronaldo eyes World Cup gloryAssociated Press: 2 brothers, 2 teams, 2 contrasting experiences at World Cup
Tuesday, Nov. 29Netherlands 2 — Qatar 0 Ecuador 1 — Senegal 2Wales 0 — England 3 Iran 0 — USA 1
Related coverage
The Athletic: Luke Shaw motivated by memory of late grandmother at 2022 World CupThe Guardian: Wales fans proud and unbowed after early World Cup exitCNN: Christian Pulisic is day-to-day after being taken to hospital with pelvic contusion suffered scoring winning goal for USThe Washington Post: After enduring insults and threats, Iranian team exits World CupNPR: What’s at stake as the U.S. faces Iran at the Men’s World CupTime: Iranian Reporters Pelted the U.S. Team With Political Questions at a World Cup Press ConferenceESPN: An oral history of USA-Iran at the 1998 World Cup: Political tension, teammate betrayal and humiliation
Wednesday, Nov. 30Tunisia 1 — France 0 Australia 1 — Denmark 0Poland 0 — Argentina 2 Saudi Arabia 1 — Mexico 2
Related coverage
The Washington Post: It’s over for Mexico, both this World Cup and one long, long streakAssociated Press: Saudi Arabia exits World Cup with newfound confidenceAssociated Press: Mexico beats Saudi Arabia 2-1 but falls short at World CupThe Washington Post: Wait, is that Australia, waltzing into the World Cup knockout stage?The Athletic: Mexico’s scoring woes go beyond the absence of ChicharitoThe Atlantic: The Sumptuous Minimalism of Lionel Messi
Thursday, Dec. 1Croatia 0 — Belgium 0 Canada 1 — Morocco 2Japan 2 — Spain 1 Costa Rica 2 — Germany 4
Related coverage
The Guardian: ‘A football dwarf’: German media react to Die Mannschaft’s early World Cup exitAssociated Press: Germany’s soul-searching begins after another World Cup flopThe New York Times: Germany’s Coach Is Out of His Depth, and So Is Its ChancellorThe Guardian: St?phanie Frappart to become first female referee at men’s World Cup game
Friday, Dec. 2South Korea 2 — Portugal 1 Ghana 0 — Uruguay 2Cameroon 1 — Brazil 0 Serbia 2 — Switzerland 3
Related coverage
Associated Press: Brazil wins group despite 1-0 loss to Cameroon at World CupThe Guardian: Uruguay leave the World Cup the same way they played in it: gracelessly
Saturday, Dec. 3Netherlands 3 — USA 1Argentina 2 — Australia 1
Related coverage
The New Yorker: How Argentina Came to Love Lionel Messi at the World CupThe Guardian: What did the US lack most at the World Cup? Football intelligenceAssociated Press: Dumfries gets kissed as Oranje reach World Cup quarterfinalsAssociated Press: American fans captivated by US team’s World Cup runThe New York Times: Bitter Finish Brings Chance for U.S. to Look ForwardThe Guardian: USA have built a brotherhood capable of beating Netherlands at the World CupThe New York Times: Messi’s Score Sets Tone for Argentina in World Cup Win
Round of 16: Sunday, Dec. 4France 3 — Poland 1England 3 — Senegal 0
Related coverage
Reuters: Record Giroud, sublime Mbappe send France into quarter-finals with Poland winThe New York Times: England Gets a Jolt From Its Youngest Player in a Rout of SenegalAssociated Press: Game of lies bonds England ahead of Senegal World Cup clash
Round of 16: Monday, Dec. 5Japan 1 (1) — Croatia 1 (3)Brazil 4 — South Korea 1
Round of 16: Tuesday, Dec. 6Morocco 0 (3) — Spain 0 (0)Portugal 6 — Switzerland 1
Related coverage
Associated Press: Morocco coach skeptical World Cup can open door to EuropeBBC News: Could Morocco win to fulfil Pele’s prediction?Associated Press: Portugal stepping out of Ronaldo’s long shadow at World Cup
Quarterfinals: Friday, Dec. 9Croatia 1 (4) — Brazil 1 (2) Netherlands 2 (3) — Argentina 2 (4)
Related coverage
The Athletic: How Argentina vs Netherlands descended into chaos — taunts, tantrums and tearsAssociated Press: Brazil fans back home shocked after World Cup eliminationThe Washington Post: Why doesn’t Argentina have more Black players in the World Cup?The Guardian: Blue day for Brazil’s yellow-shirted fans after shock World Cup exitThe New York Times: Lionel Messi Is the Right Man for Argentina’s Post-Macho MomentAssociated Press: Pel? sends message of support to Neymar after World Cup exitThe Sporting News: Why are Brazil out of World Cup 2022? They’re dependent on Neymar and the others forgot how good they areAssociated Press: Messi, Argentina beat Netherlands on penalties at World CupThe New York Times: ‘It Hurts’: Brazil Is Left Wondering What Went WrongFox Sports: ‘S***housery’ — Chaos summed up in one cruel image; superstar drops hint on futureAssociated Press: Neymar ties Pel?’s record but loses again at World CupThe New York Times: After Brazil’s Shocking Defeat, Take a Close Look at What the Team Has Become
Quarterfinals: Saturday, Dec. 10Morocco 1 — Portugal 0France 2 — England 1
Related coverage
The Athletic: Cristiano Ronaldo. Yesterday’s manThe Washington Post: Kylian Mbapp?’s captivating, cascading World Cup joyThe Guardian: The psychic alpaca has spoken — World Cup madness has arrived for England
Semifinals: Tuesday, Dec. 13Argentina 3 — Croatia 0
Related coverage
The New York Times: Two Favorites, Two Underdogs, Too GoodThe New York Times: The Team That Refuses to Lose
Semifinals: Wednesday, Dec. 14France 2 — Morocco 0
Related coverage
The Atlantic: The Absurd Talent of Kylian Mbapp?The Guardian: Morocco’s World Cup odyssey has changed what it means to be the underdog
Third place playoff: Saturday, Dec. 17Croatia 2 — Morocco 1
Related coverage
Associated Press: France celebrates World Cup victory, fans cheer Morocco teamThe Guardian: France bring Morocco’s adventure to an end and reach World Cup finalThe New York Times: Morocco Has Given the Arab World Something to Cheer for AgainThe Athletic: Croatia and Morocco are precious — they prove that World Cups cannot be boughtAssociated Press: Morocco World Cup wins stir mixed feelings in Western Sahara
BACKGROUND
What is the Men’s World Cup?
The FIFA Men’s World Cup is the global soccer championship that brings together teams representing dozens of nations — 32 nations this year, including the United States — to compete for the FIFA World Cup trophy. Teams spend about two years trying to qualify to play in the World Cup.
FIFA stands for “F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association,” which is the international association that manages the games. The tournament has been played every four years since the 1930s (the 1942 and 1946 championships were canceled because of World War II).
Usually, one country hosts the games. Competition between nations to be selected is often fierce, and the final decision is usually controversial. The U.S. hosted the games in 1994. Russia hosted the last World Cup in 2018. This year, Qatar, a nation on the Persian Gulf, is the host.
In 2002, for the first time, multiple countries — Japan and South Korea — shared the hosting honors. In 2026, Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will share the games among 17 cities — including Houston and Arlington. Houston Public Media recently reported that officials from Houston visited the Qatar games for insight into how to host World Cup games.
The World Cup usually takes place in the summer, but because of Qatar’s heat, the 2022 games were moved into the winter, from mid November to mid December.
FIFA’s selection of Qatar was one of the most controversial decisions in recent memory. Qatar is a conservative nation governed by Islamic law, and its record on human rights, rights for women, rules on gender equality, and rights for workers (who spent more than a decade building the World Cup facilities) have been the focus of scrutiny and condemnation. Read more news coverage of those issues below.
More about the World Cup
Check out the New York Times FAQ for more answers to World Cup questions.
MORE RESOURCES
NPR and The Texas Newsroom
Other news coverage
The New York Times: Is Suffering a Substitute for Style?The New York Times: The World Cup’s Missing MouthpieceAssociated Press: At World Cup, women shrug off worries over dress codesThe Poynter Report: The loss of a great journalist and even better person: soccer writer Grant WahlThe New York Times: What Happened to the Qatar Women’s National Team?The Guardian: Paul the octopus, Taiyo the otter and the World Cup’s other psychic animalsThe Washington Post: Why soccer is beloved around the worldThe Atlantic: What Has Technology Done to Soccer?The New York Times: The U.S. World Cup Team Is Notably Diverse, but the Pipeline Needs HelpThe New York Times: Yes, the Players in the World Cup Do Keep Falling Over for No ReasonAl Jazeera: Asian, African fans relish ‘affordable’, close-to-home World CupAssociated Press: For World Cup visitors, a peek into Islamic art, heritageAl Jazeera: Which managers have resigned, been sacked after World Cup exits?The New York Times: Stadiums as High Art in a World Cup FantasylandWall Street Journal: A Psychologist Spent Five Years Studying World Cup Penalty ShootoutsThe New York Times: The Last Stand of Soccer’s Greatest GenerationNational Geographic: Soccer is the world’s most popular sport. But who invented it?NBC News: What’s in the ‘magic spray’ World Cup players use, and does it really workAssociated Press: Fans’ wild World Cup fashion draws praise, scorn in QatarBeaumont Enterprise: World Cup influence helping grow Southeast Texas soccerAl Jazeera: More than 2.4 million people attended group stages matches — FIFAAl Jazeera: World Cup 2022 has a winner, say women football fans — safetyThe Wall Street Journal: ‘Soccer’: The Sport’s American Name Is Actually BritishThe Guardian: Bonkers football jargon puts people off the game. It needs an idiot filter, and I’m volunteeringThe Guardian: UK pubs sign up to World Cup charter aiming to improve female fans’ safetyThe Guardian: Why are World Cup players wearing strange face masks on the pitch?BBC World Cup icons: Johan Cruyff / Pele / Diego Maradona / Zinedine ZidaneThe New York Times: What Is Offside in Soccer?
Qatar: The human cost of a championship
The Guardian: This World Cup has taken place in a crime sceneThe New York Times: The Qatar World Cup Is Peak ‘Sportswashing.’ But Will It Work?Reuters: Migrant workers aim to stay in Qatar far beyond World Cup finalThe Guardian: Ten years of hurt — how the Guardian reported Qatar’s World Cup working conditionsAssociated Press: Qatar says worker deaths for World Cup ‘between 400 and 500’The Athletic: Watching the World Cup with Qatar’s migrant workers and hearing about their livesThe New York Times: A Migrant’s Desperate Day Chasing Work at the World CupAssociated Press: Empty streets, cranes: the city built for Qatar’s World CupDezeen: Week envisions Qatar World Cup migrant worker memorial to “reflect the scale of the humanitarian disaster”The New Yorker: The Dark Side of the World CupThe Guardian: Stadiums of shame — the numbers World Cup hosts Qatar don’t want to be seenThe Guardian: This World Cup is about much more than football. I’ve seen the human costThe New York Times: The World Cup’s Forgotten TeamBBC News: Families seek answers over migrant worker deathsThe Guardian: A game of two halves — How ‘sportswashing’ benefits Qatar and the West
Brian Kirkpatrick, Yvette Benavides, Jackie Velez, KUT’s Gabrielle Mu?oz, HPM’s Jack Williams and KERA’s Pablo Arauz Pe?a contributed to this report.