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.
For the latest breaking news, weather, and traffic, ABC13 is now live on Disney+. Always on, always under the live tab on Disney+ and everywhere you stream.
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.
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Due to weather conditions in the area, the FIFA Fan Festival in Houston's East Downtown has temporarily halted entry on Sunday afternoon.
This announcement comes as the city's first World Cup match is underway inside Houston Stadium.
Event organizers said the gates will be reopened as weather conditions permit.
As scattered showers and storms continue to pour across the Houston area, the rain may impact your plans to attend World Cup events around the city on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service also issued a Flood Watch for much of Southeast Texas until 7 a.m. on Wednesday.
Some of these showers could produce locally heavy rain, thunder, and lightning, especially around the city during its first World Cup match at Houston Stadium at 12 p.m.
Lightning is a big concern with many outdoor events happening around town, so remember when thunder roars, go indoors!
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.
