Houston FIFA Fan Festival closes early due to weather

ByABC13 Digital Team KTRK logo
Last updated: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 9:03PM GMT
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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 hosted seven matches, but fans will have plenty more to enjoy around 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.

KTRK logo
Jun 11, 2026, 9:56 PM

FIFA Fan Festival Houston: What you need to know

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

ByJOHN MARSHALL AP logo
Jul 07, 2026, 10:59 AM GMT

World Cup schedule, what to know for July 7 as Argentina faces Egypt for spot in quarters

Kylian Mbappé pushed France through to the World Cup quarterfinals. Erling Haaland and Norway will be there, too.

So will Harry Kane after England's epic 3-2 win over Mexico.

The stars are shining in this World Cup and it's about to get brighter, even after Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo bowed out for the last time.

The last two round of 16 games are Tuesday, including Switzerland against Colombia in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Topping the marquee is a showdown between Argentina's Lionel Messi and Egypt's Mohamed Salah in Atlanta.

One star will move on and add to his legacy. The other will head home from the World Cup, maybe for the final time.

Messi added the one thing missing from his resume by leading Argentina to the World Cup title four years ago and has shown he's still one of the world's best players at age 39.

Messi has scored seven goals in four matches, matching Mbappé and Haaland in a star-studded Golden Boot race. Messi has scored in a record eight straight World Cup matches, dating to the 2022 title run, and keeps adding to his record career total of 20 goals.

Salah has been the face of Egyptian soccer, a four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner and the league's all-time leading foreign-born scorer.

The 34-year-old "Egyptian King" has an Egypt-record three World Cup goals and is one behind national team coach Hossam Hassan's record of 69 international goals.

Perhaps Salah's biggest accomplishment is pushing Egypt deeper into the World Cup than it's ever been.

The Pharaohs earned their first World Cup victory by beating New Zealand 3-1 in the group stage and earned their first knockout stage win by outlasting Australia in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.

Neither star has decided on his national team plans after the World Cup.

One will be a step closer to a decision after Tuesday's match.

Colombia's long World Cup road takes it to Canada to face Switzerland

Colombia's North American World Cup tour is headed to Canada.

With stops already in Mexico and the United States, Los Cafeteros will become the only team to play in all three host nations when they play Switzerland in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Tuesday.

Colombia opened with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan in Mexico City, beat Congo 1-0 in Guadalajara, Mexico, and played Portugal to a scoreless draw in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Colombians opened the knockout stage with a 1-0 win over Ghana in Kansas City, Missouri, and now have the chance to clinch their first quarterfinal berth since 2014.

Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 for its first knockout-round win since 1938 to earn the trip to Vancouver.

The Swiss could be short-handed for the match.

Breakout star Johan Manzambi, Rubén Vargas and Djibril Sow all cut training short on Monday, leaving their availability in doubt.

"If they might not play tomorrow, it can be a huge issue for us," coach Murat Yakin said.

Reigning champion Argentina will not underestimate Egypt

In a World Cup that has seen powers like Germany and Brazil eliminated by underdogs, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said there was danger of his team underestimating Egypt. After all, the defending champion was given a scare by Cape Verde in the last round, needing extra time to come through with a 3-2 win.

"I think this World Cup has been, is very tricky for everyone. It seems there is no clear favorite," Scaloni said Monday. "I am convinced that if we didn't resort to our character in the last match we would be out as Cape Verde was giving us a very hard day."

Egypt is confident it can test Argentina as well and produce the tournament's latest upset - especially because it has Salah.

"My dreams have no limits. My ambitions have no limits. I promise that we will do everything to live up to the expectations (of fans)," Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said. "We're no underdogs. We're big in every respect. We are a civilization that is 7,000 years old, even more than 7,000 years."

Round of 16 schedule

Tuesday, July 7:

- Argentina vs. Egypt, noon EDT in Atlanta (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)

- Switzerland vs. Colombia, 4 p.m. EDT in Vancouver, British Columbia (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)

Quarterfinals schedule

Thursday, July 9:

- Morocco vs. France, 4 p.m. EDT in Foxborough, Massachusetts (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)

Friday, July 10:

- Spain vs. Belgium, 3 p.m. EDT in Inglewood, California (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)

Saturday, July 11:

- Norway vs. England, 5 p.m. EDT in Miami Gardens, Florida (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)

- Argentina-Egypt winner vs. Switzerland-Colombia winner, 9 p.m. EDT in Kansas City, Missouri (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)

ByRONALD BLUM AP logo
Jul 07, 2026, 10:52 AM GMT

United States' World Cup journey ends with 4-1 loss to Belgium

The United States' hopes for a deep World Cup run at home ended when Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and assisted on another goal, helping Belgium expose the Americans' defensive liabilities in a 4-1 win Monday night that earned a quarterfinal berth.

While the U.S. was boosted by the presence of star forward Folarin Balogun, whose one-game red-card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA, American defenders were at fault in a pair of first-half goals and goalkeeper Matt Freese's gaffe gave the Red Devils a third early in the second half.

Second-half substitute Romelu Lukaku added Belgium's final goal in the third minute of stoppage time.

Seeking its first World Cup title, Belgium knocked the U.S. out in the round of 16 for the second time in 12 years and extended its unbeaten streak to 18 games. The Red Devils play 2010 champion Spain on Friday at Inglewood, California, for a semifinal berth against France or Morocco.

Players of the United States react after the third goal of Belgium during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026.
Players of the United States react after the third goal of Belgium during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026.

Malik Tillman tied the score 1-1 midway through the first half with his second free kick goal of the tournament, but the Americans conceded just 61 seconds after the ensuing kickoff. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino showed his frustration by kicking a rack in front of the bench, sending four water bottles flying.

American star Christian Pulisic could only watch from the bench after injuring his right foot when he hit a boot of Belgium captain Youri Tielemans on a 52nd-minute shot attempt. Pulisic favored his foot after that and was replaced seven minutes later.

After winning three games in a World Cup for the first time in this expanded 48-nation tournament, the U.S. failed in its quest to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 and lost to Belgium for the seventh straight time since a victory at the initial tournament in 1930. The Americans have dropped 11 of their last 12 games against European opponents, winning only their round of 32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

FULL STORY: United States' World Cup journey ends with 4-1 loss to Belgium

AP logo
Jul 06, 2026, 9:14 PM GMT

Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career ends as Spain beats Portugal 1-0 in round of 16

Mikel Merino scored seconds into second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While a Portugal player argued, Merino played the ball back in, ran toward the goal, and put a shot past goalkeeper Diogo Costa after taking a pass from Ferran Torres.

Spain advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning its only World Cup title in 2010 in South Africa. Spain will play either the United States or Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles.

Ronaldo was trying to get Portugal to the quarterfinals in a second consecutive tournament for the first time. Instead, the career on soccer's biggest stage is over for the all-time leader in international goals.

ByPatricio Chile GMA logo
Jul 06, 2026, 5:22 PM GMT

US men's national team set for showdown against Belgium in World Cup round of 16 match

The U.S. men's national team is set to face Belgium on Monday night in the World Cup round of 16 with star striker Folarin Balogun eligible to play after his one-game suspension was put on hold by FIFA.

Balogun was given a red card during the July 1 game against Bosnia-Herzegovina after the U.S. player clashed with an opposing player's foot in the second half. The penalty automatically landed Balogun a one-game suspension. FIFA told ABC News at the time that the call was final and not able to be overturned or appealed.

FIFA said on Sunday that "the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year."

The football governing body added that if Balogun "commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."

The Royal Belgium Football Association (RBFA) released a statement Sunday that said in part that it was "astonished" by FIFA's decision to allow Balogun to play in Monday's match against them.

READ FULL STORY: USMNT set for showdown against Belgium in World Cup round of 16 match

Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States is challenged by Stjepan Radeljic #21 of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match.
Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States is challenged by Stjepan Radeljic #21 of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match.