HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The FIFA World Cup is here, and Houstonians are expected to swarm fan events and local businesses as the soccer event seizes the summer.
H-Town is hosting seven matches, but fans will have plenty of other things to enjoy in the Bayou City.
ABC13 has live updates to keep all Houstonians, from soccer aficionados to commuters looking to dodge traffic, informed throughout the multi-country event.
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H-Town will host seven of the World Cup games. Five of them will take place during the group stage, one of them during the round of 32, and the last during the round of 16. See below for the matches.
All the matches will be held at Houston Stadium.
Visit FIFA's website for more information.
FIFA described its fan experience as the ultimate destination for World Cup fans in Houston, and ABC13 got a first look at some of the featured experiences before it opened to the public.
The festival is located just east of downtown Houston, next to Shell Energy Stadium. It will be open every day of the World Cup and is a first-come, first-served venue where fans can watch all the matches for free.
FIFA said there are several experiences fans can partake in at the festival, and since it's taking place in the Houston heat, organizers say there will be misting zones, water stations, and shaded areas.
SEE ALSO: Questions about security ahead of FIFA World Cup in Houston
Houston's traffic has now met World Cup traffic.
TranStar cameras showed major backups along the South Loop at Fannin Street, hours before Sunday's match kicks off at 12 p.m.
By 8:30 a.m., the back-ups had cleared.
Whether you're heading to the game or simply traveling through the area, expect delays and give yourself extra time.
Houston's first World Cup game as a host will see first-time World Cup qualifier Curacao take on FIFA giant Germany.
Curacao made history by becoming one of four first-time World Cup qualifiers.
The tiny Caribbean nation faces a massive task in its opener, taking on powerhouse Germany in Houston.
"Germany are of course clear favorites in the group," said Curacao's Dick Advocaat, the oldest coach in World Cup history at 78. "They are still a big footballing country. Starting off against Germany is fantastic. We will find out immediately where we stand."
Curacao is the World Cup's smallest country in terms of size - about the size of New Orleans - and population, with roughly 156,000 residents. It got into the 48-team bracket by going 4-0 in the opening round of qualifying and 3-0-3 in the next round.
Germany has plenty of motivation heading into this year's World Cup after failing to get out of the group stage in Russia and Qatar following its 2014 title.
FIFA Fan Festival Houston announced it had reached capacity for the second time since the tournament started, as Brazil played Morocco on Saturday afternoon.
Officials urged fans to visit other entertainment and dining options in East Downtown and to support local businesses.
The Sports Authority Foundation provided a list of "Football Fiesta Businesses."
FIFA said entry will resume as space becomes available.
The new Visa Street Soccer Park is now open in Gulfton, featuring two professional-grade mini soccer pitches. The two mini-turf fields are free and open to the community to use.
See the full story from ABC13's Localish.
