World Cup Mexico vs. Korea gets border fiestas in El Paso, Juárez

World Cup 2026 fever is hitting the El Paso-Juárez Borderland.

The cities of El Paso and Juárez are hosting separate public watch parties for the highly anticipated game between Mexico vs. South Korea at 7 p.m. MT Thursday, June 18, at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The free, family-friendly El Paso community watch party will feature a giant outdoor screen at Cleveland Square outside the Mexican American Cultural Center, 201 E. Franklin Ave. in Downtown, a city news release stated.

The event will include soccer player card trading, giveaways, raffles and more. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.

The city is considering hosting additional soccer watch parties, which require permission and meet FIFA specifications, city spokesman Rick Isaias said.

The El Paso community watch party is hosted by the El Paso Parks and Recreation Department, the Mexican American Cultural Center and Telemundo 48 El Paso.

The city of Juárez is having a stadium watch party featuring a concert and fireworks for the Mexico game against South Korea to be shown on a giant screen at Estadio 8 de Diciembre.

The free family event includes mechanical amusement rides, food vendors and a concert by the cumbia group La Gran Sonora after the game, according to a Juárez city news release.

Gates open at 5 p.m., the game starts at 7 p.m., the concert will be about 9 p.m. and at 10 p.m. there will be a raffle for jerseys and soccer balls autographed by FC Juárez players. The fireworks show will be at 10:30 p.m.

Estadio 8 de Diciembre is located at Calle Soneto 156 and Avenida Lote Bravo in southeastern Juárez.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.