By Ricky Richardson | Contributing Writer
Inglewood, CA- Thousands of soccer fans arrived in Los Angeles, in general and specifically in the City of Inglewood, June 9-14, 2026.
FIFA World Cup Fever has finally arrived. People of all ages, races, and nationalities have gotten caught up in the excitement. These include soccer enthusiasts and casual observers like me.
The price to attend FIFA World Cup games has proven to be out of reach for most fans. They either weren’t able to purchase tickets in advance or, as in most cases, the prices of tickets were too expensive for local fans.
“As the world turns its attention to the FIFA World Cup, The Wood Cup will give visitors and residents alike an opportunity to experience the culture, creativity, and spirit of our city,” Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. said in a statement. The USA vs. Paraguay match at the SOFI Stadium began at 6:00pm. “The Wood Cup is a free alternative to attending the very expensive World Cup soccer match in person, and there will be family-friendly fun, turf soccer, and interactive games,” stated Mayor Butts.
The City of Inglewood, in partnership with Metro Los Angeles, joined other cities in hosting no-cost or low-cost FIFA World Cup Fan Festivals or FIFA World Cup Viewing /Watch Parties.
The City of Inglewood hosted a free, family-friendly Watch Party for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with a match featuring the USA vs. Paraguay, on Friday, along with a street festival for fans to enjoy all things soccer and more. The event celebrated the intersection of sports, culture, and community as the global soccer community shone the spotlight on the City of Inglewood for the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup.
The festivities on Friday were held from 2:00pm-6:00pm, on Market Street, between Florence Avenue to the north and Hillcrest Blvd. to the south, for a vehicle-free festival zone. This funtastic event was funded through a Metro Open Street Grant, with the K-Line conveniently stopping directly at the Market Street Festival.
Of course, you already know the outcome of the first FIFA World Cup game at the Los Angeles Stadium: USA 4- Paraguay 1!!!
A steady flow of soccer fans descended on Market Street for some engaging, interactive activations and to test their soccer skill level at interactive stations. The crowd consisted of local residents, visitors, and members of the global soccer community.
The Wood Cup had several venues along Market Street, where fans could watch the opening match at Los Angeles Stadium, which is less than a mile from Downtown Market Street.
The Wood Cup was a great celebration and a way to support local businesses and enjoy the game of soccer with family, friends, the local community, and an influx of national and international soccer fans.
Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, Jr., Council members Alex Padilla and Eloy Morales Jr., gave opening remarks to kick off the festival. DJ Ray provided an eclectic soundtrack between live acts. Aundrae Russell, KJLH Radio Free 102.3, served as emcee.
The South Side Symphony got the show underway with a set filled with a lot of soul. They performed several original tracks, “Loud” and “Cornbread,” followed by a brilliant arrangement of I’m Sprung” by T-Pain. They concluded their crowd-pleasing set with a bang! They ended by giving the audience all they got, or their musical version of mic toss, popular in church choirs. This final selection reminds me of how jazz musicians stretch out during a performance, or a descarga in salsa music.
Dr. Marcus Norris is the conductor of South Side Symphony. It was a pleasant surprise seeing Chris Powe (saxophone), Kenneth Brown II (trumpet, flugelhorn), Joshua Childress (saxophone), and Isaac Green (bass) in the symphony. These are talented jazz musicians and leaders in their own right, who are making noise (this is a compliment) in the jazz community.
A member of the Showtime Lakers of the 1980’s, Byron Scott made a brief appearance to greet the crowd.
Blanco & Negro were up next. They entertained the crowd with the infectious sounds and vibes of the Caribbean. They performed a set of Reggae, roots rock reggae, ska, and a tinge of salsa. This talented and tight band performed “Run from Hell,” “Latin Blues,” “Please Me Baby,’ and “Place Like This,” to name a few.
The next segment of the program was a great segue from the previous band. Up next was a salsa dance performance and dance lesson led by Don Russell and Barbara Williams. They led the crowd in basic salsa steps, followed by a group performance.
We were about to have church on Market Street. Deitrick Haddon and Hill City Collective brought the energy and Praises to God. The spirit of the Lord could be felt on Market Street throughout their handclapping, foot stomping, roof-raising set.
The Cumbia Dragons, featuring Gabriel Gonzalez (vocals), Alfred Ortiz (congas), Joey de Leon (timbales), and Albeniz Quintanilla (keyboards), closed out the festival with the infectious and contagious sounds of Cumbia. Their set brought out the dancers. They concluded their set just minutes before the vibes shifted on Market Street, as fans prepared to watch the FIFA World Cup match between USA-4 vs. Paraguay-1!!! Earlier in the afternoon, Canada vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina played to a 1-1 tie.
The global soccer community has caught the FIFA World Cup Fever during the opening weekend, June 10-14, 2026. You, too, should have been swept up into the hoopla of the FIFA World Cup by now. If not, the symptoms have just begun. You can join your neighbors at a local venue for upcoming matches. There’s nothing like watching your favorite team with other like-minded fans at a local watch party or fan zone.
There are nine different fan zones in Los Angeles that host celebrations for the FIFA World Cup this summer. Below are the nine zones:
The Original Farmers Markets—June 18-21
City of Downey—June 20
Hansen Dam Lake—July 2-5
LA County’s Ervin “Magic” Johnson Park—July 4-5
Los Angeles County Whittier Narrows—July 9-11
Venice Beach—July 11
Fairplex—July 14-15 & July 18-19
West Harbor—July 14-15 & July 18-19