It only comes around every four years: The FIFA World Cup is always special, but this year carries extra significance for American soccer fans. For the first time since 1994, the tournament returns to the United States.

Every World Cup brings fans together to celebrate and support their teams, whether inside stadiums or in local communities. The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, hosted across North America by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is expected to be no different.

Across Westchester County, communities are planning watch parties, festivals, live music and cultural events centered around the game. Earlier this week, the City of Peekskill announced its own celebration of the world’s biggest sporting event: “Peekskill Celebrates World Soccer.”

From June 11 through July 19, residents can enjoy a variety of soccer-themed activities for both adults and children. For younger fans, free Skills & Drills sessions will be offered on Thursdays, starting June 18, from approximately 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Depew Park and Pugsley Park. Organizers promise afternoons filled with soccer fun, movement, and friendly competition for children of all ages, along with opportunities to develop skills under the guidance of local coaches.

Food, Drinks and Soccer

Looking for a place to watch the matches? Peekskill’s diverse collection of restaurants and bars are expected to stream World Cup games throughout the tournament.

Among the participating businesses is Ruben’s Mexican Cafe, located at 12 N. Division St. The restaurant will feature multiple viewing screens and offer food and drink specials throughout the tournament. Promotions include two free margaritas with the purchase of 20 tacos, while World Cup-themed snack and appetizer platters will be available at 20 percent off.

“Gather your friends, enjoy the best soccer and celebrate each goal with authentic Mexican flavors,” Ruben Alvarez, owner of Ruben’s Mexican Cafe, told the Peekskill Herald.

Community Watch Parties

For fans seeking a larger viewing experience, the city will also host a series of public watch parties at Pugsley Park.

The first event, “One City, Many Nations,” takes place Thursday, June 11, during the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Attendees will be eligible for giveaways and other activities.

Additional watch parties include:

• June 25 (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) – Wear Your Colors: Fans are encouraged to wear jerseys representing their favorite national or local teams while watching Ecuador vs. Germany.
• June 27 (7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.) – Youth Soccer Night during Colombia vs. Portugal.
• July 11 (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) – Global Music Pregame during the tournament’s quarterfinal stage.

Portable restrooms, picnic areas and street parking will be available for attendees.

More information about Peekskill Celebrates World Soccer is available here.

Collecting Panini World Cup Stickers

For many fans, especially children, collecting and trading Panini World Cup stickers has been part of the tournament experience since the 1970s. This year’s edition has generated considerable excitement, with collectors spending significant amounts of money to complete what is Panini’s largest World Cup sticker album to date.

Those interested in joining the tradition can find sticker packs, boxes and albums at several Peekskill-area retailers. Individual sticker packs typically cost between $2 and $4, while boxes sell for around $100. Albums generally range from $5 to $7.

Local retailers carrying Panini products include C-Town Supermarket, Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Best Buy, and several Hispanic-owned stores throughout the city. Fans are encouraged to check multiple locations, as many stores have experienced frequent sellouts due to high demand.

Cortlandt Considering Watch Party

The Town of Cortlandt is not currently hosting any World Cup-related events, but that could change depending on the performance of the U.S. Men’s National Team.

Town Supervisor Richard Becker told the Peekskill Herald via email that the town is considering organizing a watch party if the United States advances beyond the group stage.

“The Town of Cortlandt is considering having a watch party for the World Cup, but we will wait to see if the United States will go through the first round,” Becker said.“If the U.S. is successful in making it to the next round, we will likely host an event at the Cortlandt Waterfront Park.”