What began as a simple stop in Houston turned into an unexpected World Cup celebration for soccer fan Jaime Berber. Visiting East Downtown for his brother’s gaming event, he wandered into Little Woodrow’s after spotting a crowd and a giant soccer ball—and ended up swept into the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final draw watch party.
Hundreds of fans gathered at the packed sports bar Friday morning as FIFA finalized group assignments for next summer’s World Cup, hosted across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Houston’s NRG Stadium will host seven matches, including five group-stage games and two knockout-round matches. Teams from Groups E, F, H, and K could bring global powerhouses like Germany, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Colombia, and more to the city.
Ryan Walsh, CEO of the Harris County/Houston Sports Authority, highlighted the massive economic impact—estimated at $1.5 billion, far surpassing the 2017 Super Bowl.
Fans filled the bar early, including 70-year-old Argentina supporter Gladys Torres, proudly wearing her Messi jersey. Even though Argentina won’t be playing in Houston, she said she’s thrilled to witness another World Cup on U.S. soil. Others, like Hermen—who skipped work to attend—said the shared enthusiasm shows how soccer connects people across cultures.
Attendees snapped photos with replica World Cup trophies and soaked in the moment, including local fan Jennifer Arellano, who called the event a proud moment for Houston’s diverse community.
Potential teams appearing in Houston’s group-stage matches include:
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Playoff B winner
Group H: Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group K: Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia, Playoff 1 winner
Houston could also host knockout matches involving teams from Groups A, B, and C—including Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Morocco, and others.
