Washington D.C. Opens Central Fan Zone for 2026 World Cup Despite No Matches Hosted
Although no World Cup matches will be played in Washington D.C., the city opened a central fan zone on the National Mall on Thursday to allow fans to follow the tournament.
The FIFA World Cup, which for the first time in history is being hosted by three nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—kicked off on Thursday with the opening match in Mexico City, where the home team Mexico faces South Africa.
Washington D.C., the capital of the United States, will not host any tournament games, but that did not stop the city from celebrating the event. On Thursday, a central fan zone was inaugurated on the National Mall, one of the most iconic locations in the city. The fan zone will provide a gathering place for fans to watch matches together and enjoy the atmosphere of the World Cup.
This marks the first time the World Cup finals are organized by three countries, making it a historic event across North America. While matches are being held in various cities, Washington D.C. chose to actively engage its residents by establishing a fan zone despite not being a host city for games.
