Sports
World Cup Fever Continues Across the Coachella Valley as Fans Gear Up for Knockout Stage
As the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup winds down and the knockout rounds approach, soccer fever continues to grow throughout the Coachella Valley. Fans have been filling restaurants and sports bars across the desert, gathering to cheer on their favorite teams and soak in the excitement of the world's biggest sporting event.
NBC Palm Springs Sports stopped by Stuft Pizza in Palm Desert, where another lively World Cup watch party brought together fans for a full day of international soccer. Two matches kicked off during the live broadcast, with Cabo Verde facing Saudi Arabia and Spain taking on Uruguay, while two additional matches were scheduled for later in the evening.
Although Team USA suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Turkey on Thursday, optimism remains high among American supporters. The United States rested nine regular starters during the match, allowing several reserve players valuable experience ahead of the knockout stage. Another encouraging sign came from star midfielder Christian Pulisic, who returned after battling a calf injury and looked sharp during the second half.
The Americans will now turn their attention to Wednesday's Round of 32 matchup against Bosnia, where they'll look to begin a deep tournament run. Midfielder Weston McKennie emphasized following the loss that adversity could ultimately strengthen the squad as the stakes continue to rise.
Beyond the soccer action, local sports fans also have another event to look forward to this weekend. Following Friday night's Palm Springs Power baseball game at Palm Springs Stadium, Micromania Wrestling will return to the desert. One of the event's featured wrestlers, known as "25 Cent," recently spoke about inspiring others by showing that little people can pursue their dreams while entertaining fans inside the ring.
Back at Stuft Pizza, fans can enjoy every World Cup match on large-screen televisions with full game audio while taking advantage of the restaurant's World Cup Passport promotion. Guests who try menu items across seven different food categories and complete their passport card will earn a free large pizza.
With the knockout rounds just around the corner, World Cup excitement continues to unite soccer fans throughout the Coachella Valley as anticipation builds for the tournament's biggest matches.
By: Brett Rosen
June 26, 2026
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