World Cup Soccer Party Ideas

The Women’s World Cup is underway, and what better way to cheer the team on  than hosting a soccer party? If you’re a fan of soccer, or you have daughters or nieces that are counting down the days until the US team matches, here are some great ideas for a World Cup party to remember.

Games and party activities

A party isn’t a party without some fun-packed games, and there’s a vast range of options available for World Cup parties like soccer bingo, finger football or a soccer-themed pinata.

For soccer fans, there’s nothing better than showing off those skills and getting together with friends and teammates, so why not organize a mini tournament or host competitions with prizes for who can score the most penalty kicks or do the most kick-ups? You could also create a World Cup themed quiz or plan a soccer sticker or player card exchange to fill up 2019 World Cup albums. If you’ve got ideas in mind, you can plan activities before or after the big game. You could also ask everybody to guess the correct score and choose the first scorer with a prize for the winners.

Music

Music gets the party started. As you’re celebrating the US soccer team, why not create a playlist of popular soccer anthems teamed with hits by U.S. female artists and songs that are all about girl power? Ask your daughters and their friends for ideas and suggestions and look at playlists that others have created online for inspiration.

Decorations

If you’re hosting a party at home, or you’re decorating a community hall, for example, you’ll need some decorations. You can go for simple options like U.S. flags, bunting,  paper chains, and some hanging soccer ball lanterns, or create your own pom-poms, posters using soccer star cutouts, or this cute soccer photo op.

You could also explore options like shaped balloons, for example, trophies and soccer balls,  or hanging up pictures of famous U.S. soccer players and DIY garlands.

These are activities you can do with the kids before the game to get them involved in the preparation and create a buzz around the match. Look through soccer magazines and check out online blogs and official sites of the team to see if there are any resources, for example, printouts you can use. You can also buy printed tablecloths, decorated paper plates and matching paper straws and cups to go with the World Cup theme.

Sites like Pinterest also have some great ideas for party decorations. If you plan to host a gathering for every U.S. game, or you’re keeping up with all the games, hanging a championship wall chart is a great idea. The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Kids’ Handbook is a great resource for kids as well.

Dress code

If you’re planning a World Cup watching party, why not crank up the fun a notch and invite your kids and their friends to come in fancy dress? They can wear their favorite team’s kit,  or come as their favorite player. Perhaps you’ve got a budding Alex Morgan in your midst or your daughter is desperate to follow in the footsteps of stars of the game like Hope Solo or Mia Hamm. Another idea is to ask your kids and their friends to come as different countries, so that you have a colorful array of team kits (they’re all listed) and flags.

Food, drinks and favors

You want your guests to be fed and watered ready to cheer the team to victory, and there are some brilliant ideas for child-friendly, soccer-themed culinary treats out there.

Other options include popular game day snacks like nachos, corn dogs, and mini burgers and fries, which you can present in patterned cones or trays. You could even get some ideas from interviews with high-profile players like Alex Morgan and Mallory Pugh, and serve their favorite match day meals. When it comes to quenching your guests’ thirst, take inspiration from the professionals, and provide brightly-colored mocktails that contain Gatorade or Powerade like a Gatorade Margarita, Gatorade Slushies, or this Patriotic Drink. Add soccer ball stirrers for a final flourish. When the party is over, send your guests home with a soccer-themed threat box.

The 2019 Women’s World Cup is grabbing the nation, and what better way to celebrate with your kids and their soccer mates and school friends than hosting a viewing party? If you’re taking charge of food, drinks and decorations, hopefully, this guide has given you some ideas and inspiration to put on a show worthy of a gold medal.

Follow the excitement of the Women’s World Cup at @USWNT! Go USA! 

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