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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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
Sam Houston Park, located near Eleanor Tinsley Park, has transformed into Futbol Park on July 4 for fans to watch the World Cup match before Freedom Over Texas.
Starting at 4 p.m., patrons can watch the Round of 16 match between France and Paraguay on the stage set up in the park.
Canada fans took to the streets of Houston to celebrate their team ahead of the Round of 16 World Cup match against Morocco.
FIFA World Cup Houston shared a video on social media of Canada fans marching to Houston Stadium on Saturday morning.
The match between Canada and Morocco is set to start at 12 p.m. on Saturday.
Houston TranStar cameras show traffic starting to build near Houston Stadium on Saturday morning ahead of the city's last World Cup match.
Cameras captured images of cars starting to line up on the frontage road of the South Loop at Kirby Drive to enter the stadium complex.
Houston Stadium is set to hold the Round of 16 match between Canada and Morocco at 12 p.m. on Saturday. This will be the last 2026 World Cup match to be held in Houston.
Lionel Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 on Friday and advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 in a thrilling match in which the tiny island nation challenged the reigning champion until the final minutes of extra time.
The go-ahead score for Argentina was credited as an own-goal after Cristian Romero's header deflected off Cape Verde's Diney Borges in the 111th minute. Messi scored early in regulation, his record-extending 20th career World Cup goal. Lisandro Martinez scored in the 103rd to put Argentina ahead 2-1.
FULL STORY: Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time thriller, advancing to World Cup Round of 16
