Where to watch the World Cup
No matter who you’re supporting, there’s no better football experience than gathering with friends and cheering for your team
The truest World Cup experience is watching your team, winning or losing, with fellow fans. At this year’s tournament — held Canada, Mexico and the US — 12 teams from Muslim-majority countries are competing, from Afcon champions Morocco to first timers Uzbekistan and those making a rare return, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iraq.
Hyphen has compiled a list of venues across the UK where you can settle in to cheer, celebrate and commiserate with your friends. Do book ahead!
England
The England team will be looking to deliver some much-needed good news for many of us by repeating its sole World Cup victory, now 60 years in the past. Having reached the quarter finals in 2022 and finishing as runners up in the last two Euros, can they go all the way this time? Lots of halal and Muslim-friendly venues will be showing the games. Here are a few outside of the capital:
The Art Quarter, 11-15 Allison Street, Birmingham, B5 5TH
Reflexion Lounge, 252 The Quays, Salford, M50 3SB
Afro Restaurant, Birmingham, 77 Mott Street, B19 3HE
Habibz, Liverpool, 7 Myrtle Street, Liverpool L7 7DN
Wednesday, 17 June — England v Croatia, 9pm
Tuesday, 23 June — England v Ghana, 9pm
Saturday, 27 June — England v Panama, 10pm
Scotland
Coming in from the cold, Scotland marks its return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence. The team bested Denmark in the play-offs in order to qualify and its supporters are famously dedicated, so will be a pleasure to watch.
Al Furqan Mosque & Islamic Centre, 19 Carrington Street, Glasgow, G4 9AJ
Sunday, 14 June — Scotland v Haiti, 2am
Friday, 19 June — Scotland v Morocco, 11pm
Wednesday, 24 June — Scotland v Brazil, 11pm
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Having only participated in the tournament once before, in 2014, Bosnia’s team pulls together the talent the country has exported to clubs around Europe, such as Nihad Mujakić, who plays for Gaziantep in Turkey, and Amar Dedić with Portuguese side Benfica. The squad, coaching team and fans have all been described as “emotional”, so get ready for some high-energy games.
BH Community London is organising watch parties at The Famous Three Kings, 171 North End Road, W14 9NL
Kismet Café, 104 Cavell Street, London, E1 2JA, is showing the first Bosnia match against Canada.
Friday, 12 June — Bosnia and Herzegovina v Canada, 8pm
Thursday, 18 June — Bosnia and Herzegovina v Switzerland, 8pm
Wednesday, 24 June — Bosnia and Herzegovina v Qatar, 8pm
Egypt
Nicknamed the Pharaohs, Egypt’s starting lineup includes Mo Salah, who has recently ended his career-defining tenure at Liverpool, Mohamed Abdelmonem, who plays for French club Nice, and Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush.
Afandena Restaurant in Earl’s Court, west London, will be showing Egypt matches throughout the tournament.
Monday, 15 June — Egypt v Belgium, 8pm
Monday, 22 June — Egypt v New Zealand, 2am
Saturday, 27 June — Egypt v Iran, 4am
Iran
The presence of Iran’s national team in a tournament jointly hosted by a country with whom the nation is at war has to be the most jarring geopolitical element of this World Cup. How that will be reflected on and off the pitch is unclear, as is whether players and staff will be allowed into the US. The team is currently based in Mexico.
Yado Lounge and Tehran Lounge, both in Regent’s Park, central London, will be showing Iran matches.
Melo in Southampton is also screening fixtures.
Tuesday, 16 June — Iran v New Zealand, 2am
Sunday, 21 June — Iran v Belgium, 8am
Sat, 27 June — Iran v Egypt, 4am
Iraq
Iraq makes its return to the World Cup for the first time since its 1986 debut. On 1 April, news that the nation had beaten Bolivia and become the final team to qualify led to joyous scenes in Trafalgar Square involving passionate fans.
Shishawi, a restaurant at the heart of London’s Middle Eastern community hub on Edgware Road, has confirmed it will be showing all of Iraq’s games.
Tuesday, 16 June — Iraq v Norway, 11pm
Monday, 22 June — Iraq v France, 10pm
Friday, 26 June — Iraq v Senegal, 8pm
Morocco
Morocco made history in 2022 as the first Arab team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. Regarded as one of the strongest African teams, the Atlas Lions are ranked seventh in the world, just behind Brazil, and with a fandom to match their global status.
Oasis Lounge, 1 Church Lane London N2 8DX
Casablanca, 75 High St, Edgware HA8 7DD
Morocco Shisha Lounge, 616 Washwood Heath Rd Birmingham B8 2HG
Saturday, 13 June — Morocco v Brazil, 11pm
Friday, 19 June — Morocco v Scotland, 11pm
Wednesday, 24 June — Morocco v Haiti, 11pm
Tunisia
Known as the Eagles of Carthage, Tunisia has participated in seven World Cups since 1978. On the way to the 2026 tournament, the team did not concede a single goal during qualifying. It is on its third coach since 2022, though.
Barcha Barcha restaurant in West London will be showing all of the team’s matches.
Monday, 15 June — Tunisia v Sweden, 3am
Sunday, 21 June — Tunisia v Japan, 5am
Friday, 26 June — Tunisia v Netherlands, 12am
Turkey
Football has a huge following in Turkey and its diaspora. If you’re in London, head to the well-established community hubs in Dalston or Harringay Green Lanes and find one of the many restaurants and lounges.
If you’re in Peterborough, though, the Tuck In Restaurant will be showing as many World Cup games as it can, Turkey’s included.
Sunday, 14 June — Türkiye vAustralia, 5am
Saturday, 20 June — Türkiye v Paraguay, 4am
Friday, 26 June — Türkiye v United States, 3am
Uzbekistan
Making its World Cup debut, Uzbekistan’s squad includes Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov. Sadly, the team’s tournament has already got off to a poor start when they and the Senegal squad were subject to detailed security screenings on arrival in the US.
The British-Uzbek community is still organising watch parties, but Hyphen has been told to keep an eye on this Instagram page for details.
Thursday, 18 June — Uzbekistan v Colombia, 3am
Tuesday, 23 June — Uzbekistan v Portugal, 6pm
Sunday, 28 June — Uzbekistan v Congo DR, 12.30am
Qatar
Host nation of the 2022 World Cup Qatar’s team will be hoping for a better performance after scoring just one goal during the group stages in their previous appearance.
You can see how they get on at the Reflexion Lounge in Salford and Basta in Mayfair, central London. Reflexion Lounge will also be showing Saudi Arabia games.
Saturday, 13 June — Qatar v Switzerland, 8pm
Thursday, 18 June — Qatar v Canada, 11pm
Wednesday, 24 June — Qatar v Bosnia and Herzegovina, 8pm
