SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
2026 World Cup Fan Embassy information guide
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
LOCAL SUPPORTERS
Find and follow the local supporters on Instagram!
Supports San Jose Earthquakes (MLS):
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Faultline - @theFaultliners
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The Casbah (Not On Instagram)
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Epicentro74 - @epicentro74_Oficial
Supports Oakland Roots (USL Championship):
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Oakland 68’s - @Oakland68s
Supports Bay FC (NWSL):
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Bridge Brigade - @BayFCSupporters
Built on dramatic hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco is a mixture of Gold Rush history, counterculture legacy, and diverse immigration communities. Visitors will find iconic landmarks alongside vibrant Chinese, Latino, and LGBTQ+ neighborhoods. The city’s summers are cooler than you might expect, and the weather changes quickly -- watch out for Karl!
The World Cup stadium is located about 65 km south of the city in Santa Clara, in the heart of Silicon Valley.
Know before you go:
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The City of San Jose has many events planned around the World Cup, including concerts and watch parties. Check SJ26 for the latest.
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Oakland Soccer Trail. A community-driven initiative led by the Oakland Sports Group to highlight the city’s soccer culture ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The project is building a centralized map of watch parties, events, and soccer-related activities across Oakland. The goal is to showcase local neighborhoods, businesses, and supporter culture while making it easier for fans to find where the community is gathering. This effort reflects the broader growth of soccer in Oakland, including new community spaces like the Longfellow Fields pitch and the presence of clubs like the Oakland Roots and Soul SC.
San Jose Area
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
SOCCER-FRIENDLY BARS
Jack’s (21+) (167 E. Taylor St., San Jose)
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South Bay Area’s home for soccer. Multiple soccer supporter groups call this bar home. Indoor bar area and large covered outdoor patio.
O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub (21+) (25 N. San Pedro St., San Jose)
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52 beers on tap, Irish pub food. Indoor and outdoor seating. Opens to San Pedro Market Square where all World Cup games will have viewing parties
Old Wagon Saloon (73 N. San Pedro St., San Jose)
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Country Western/BBQ- Opens to San Pedro Market Square where all World Cup games will have viewing parties
Rookies Sports Lodge - Downtown (99 1st Street, San Jose)
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Lots of TVs and two reservable spaces. Huge appetizers, great for sharing
Rookies Sports Lodge - Willow Glen (1535 Meridian Ave #10, San Jose)
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Has a large back room that can be reserved. Huge appetizers, great for sharing.
The Brit Sports Pub & Patio (173 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose)
Taplands (1171 Homestead Rd., Santa Clara)
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Beer Bar with great craft options
San Jose Area
OAKLAND AREA
Brotzeit Lokal (1000 Embarcadero, Oakland)
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German-style beer garden right on the waterfront. Great for groups and daytime matches.
Guadalajara Restaurant & Bar (1001 Fruitvale Ave, Oakland)
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Casual Mexican spot with a bar—solid option for food and drinks before or after matches.
The Aloha Club (952 Fruitvale Avenue, Oakland)
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Low-key dive bar with a welcoming local crowd. Good for a more relaxed watch.
The Avenue (4822 Telegraph Ave, Oakland)
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Punk/dive bar energy with TVs for matches and a strong neighborhood feel.
The Kingfish Pub & Café (5227 Telegraph Ave, Oakland)
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Classic Oakland dive bar with plenty of space and a consistent crowd.
The Alley Piano Bar & Restaurant (3325 Grand Ave, Oakland)
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Unique, old-school piano bar. Less soccer-specific, but a memorable local spot.
Mad Oak Bar ’N’ Yard (135 12th St, Oakland)
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Large indoor/outdoor space with lots of TVs—great for groups and big matches.
Merchants Saloon (401 2nd St, Oakland)
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Historic dive bar (one of the oldest in Oakland) with strong character.
Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon (48 Webster St, Oakland)
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Waterfront bar dating back to the 1800s. Small, historic, and unique.
Line 51 Brewing Company (303 Castro St, Oakland)
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Local brewery with a laid-back vibe and good space for groups.
The Sand Bar (2418 Broadway, Oakland)
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Casual bar with a beachy theme and relaxed atmosphere.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
NEIGHBOORHOODS
San Jose Area
Japantown, San Jose (North San Jose)
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One of the last three authentic Japantowns in the United States.
Willow Glen, San Jose (West San Jose)
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A historic district known for its walkable downtown and boutique shops, food, and bookstores.
The Qmunity District (Downtown San Jose)
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City’s designated LGBTQ+ district.
Santana Row (377 Santana Row, San Jose)
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European-inspired shopping and dining.
Little Saigon (East San Jose)
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One of the largest communities of Vietnamese outside of Vietnam.
Little Portugal (Downtown/East San Jose)
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Portuguese restaurants, stores, social clubs, and churches.
Little Italy (Downtown San Jose)
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Italian restaurants and shops
OAKLAND AREA
Fruitvale
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Center of Oakland’s Latin American culture. Known for incredible food, local markets, and strong community energy.
Lake Merritt
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The heart of Oakland. Popular for walking, gathering, and taking in the city’s everyday life.
West Oakland
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Deep historical and cultural roots.
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Black Liberation Walking Tour – One of the top-rated tours in the country, highlighting Black history and activism in Oakland. (blwt.org)
Jack London Square (Waterfront)
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Scenic waterfront area with restaurants, bars, and easy access to the bay.
Temescal & North Oakland
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Food-heavy neighborhoods packed with restaurants, cafes, and local shops.
Prescott Market (West Oakland)
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Community-focused market and gathering space.
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Also home to Oakland Ballers independent baseball games (2025 champions).
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Raimondi Park will be hosting a USA watch party on the 12th with the Bay Area Host Committee. It is across the street from this market.
Oakland Coliseum
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Home of the Oakland Roots, offering one of the most unique lower-division soccer atmospheres in the U.S.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
WHERE TO EAT
San Jose Area
Bills Cafe (numerous locations in San Jose)
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Excellent breakfast and brunch options.
San Pedro Market Square (87 N. San Pedro St., San Jose)
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Two buildings of food vendors with a wide variety of options. Large outdoor space for meet ups. Great for groups who want a lot of choices.
Luna Mexican Kitchen (1495 The Alameda, San Jose)
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Mexican food.
Falafel’s Drive In (2301 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose)
Fox Tale Fermentation Project (30 E. Santa Clara St. Suite 120, San Jose)
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Small batch brewery with plant based food options.
Henry’s World Famous Hi-Life (301 Sharks Way, San Jose)
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Classic American BBQ & Steakhouse that is straight out of the 1960’s.
Jackie’s Place (840 N. 1st Street, San Jose)
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Soul food
Pho Kim Long (2082 N. Capitol Ave., San Jose)
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Vietnamese dish. Might be a controversial pick, there are a LOT of other options and varieties. Cannot go wrong.
Hukilau (230 Jackson St., San Jose)
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Hawaiian food located in Japantown
Petiscos by Adega (399 S. 1st Street, San Jose)
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Casual Portuguese spotlighting tapas
Adega (1614 Alum Rock Rd., San Jose)
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Michelin Star Portuguese restaurant, reservations required.
OAKLAND Area
Tacos El Paisa (4610 International Blvd, Oakland)
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Street-style taco spot known for late-night hours and strong local reputation. No-frills, high-quality.
Cenaduría Elvira (468 3rd St, Oakland)
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Traditional Mexican comfort food, especially known for dishes from central Mexico.
Sobre Mesa (1618 Franklin St, Oakland)
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Afro-Caribbean cocktail bar and restaurant with a unique menu and strong cultural identity.
Bombera (3459 Champion St, Oakland)
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Mexican restaurant in a converted firehouse. Elevated food with deep roots in local culture.
Paulista Brazilian Kitchen & Taproom (4239 Park Blvd, Oakland)
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Brazilian street food and craft beer in a relaxed neighborhood setting.