LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Soccer fans in Little Rock will have a new place to gather this summer, with a local venue turning match days into an all-are-welcome hangout.
The Soccer Center in Little Rock is setting up a free World Cup watch headquarters starting in June, with daily watch parties planned from June 11 through the final on July 19.
Owner Raouf Kassissieh said every game will be shown outside in the venue’s pavilion, with a large screen designed to make viewing easy from anywhere in the space. “We’ve got a 10 foot by 20 foot LED TV that’s coming in this week, and it’s going to be there’s not going to be a bad seat in the house for the World Cup at the soccer center,” Kassissieh said.
The watch parties will run alongside the center’s regular schedule. Kassissieh said the youth league will be playing during the same time period, with games happening inside while the World Cup is shown outside.
Food and drinks are also part of the plan. Kassissieh said the venue is inviting food trucks to participate and described it as “a call out to all the food trucks in Little Rock.” Adult beverages will be available, too, with Kassissieh adding, “It’s going to be a great time for everyone.”
The Soccer Center opened in 2023, Rove said, which meant it missed the last World Cup. This summer’s tournament will be the first time the venue hosts a World Cup watch setup. “This is the first World Cup, big deal,” Kassissieh said.
As for predictions, Kassissieh said he’s “rooting USA first,” and also plans to cheer for Jordan, calling it “the first time that Jordan, that they’re playing.” But when it comes to picking a champion, Kassissieh said, “I think Spain is going to win.”
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