Tampa is throwing a free, family-friendly World Cup watch party this afternoon at The Sail Plaza outside the Tampa Convention Center, 333 N. Franklin St., as Cabo Verde — the underdog island nation that has spent the entire tournament training in Town 'N Country — takes on defending champion Argentina in the round of 32. According to the City of Tampa, the event starts at 4 p.m. Friday, July 3, with kickoff at 6 p.m., and four extra large video screens will be set up across the plaza so the crowd can watch together downtown.
- What: Free FIFA World Cup watch party — Cabo Verde vs. Argentina
- When: Friday, July 3 — plaza opens 4 p.m., kickoff 6 p.m.
- Where: The Sail Plaza, outside the Tampa Convention Center, 333 N. Franklin St.
- Cost: Free and open to the public; food and drinks for sale from The Sail
- The draw: Four large video screens set up across the plaza
Why Tampa has a rooting interest
This isn't just any World Cup match on a big screen. Cabo Verde — the West African archipelago whose team is nicknamed the Blue Sharks, or Tubarões Azuis — chose the Tampa Bay Rowdies' training facility, the Waters SportsPlex in Town 'N Country, as its official base camp for the tournament. Per WUSF, the club is one of 25 team bases set up in North American markets that aren't hosting matches, meaning the players, staff, fans and media following them have been putting roots down in Tampa throughout the World Cup.
In other words, the city has quietly picked up a home side to cheer for — and that home side has turned into the feel-good story of the tournament.
A Cinderella run that keeps going
Cabo Verde is making its World Cup debut, and it arrived as one of the longest shots in the field. With roughly 530,000 residents, it is the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup knockout rounds, according to Al Jazeera. Then it went out and refused to lose in the group stage.
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Three straight draws was enough to finish second in the group and advance. Much of the credit has gone to 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, whose standout tournament — including a seven-save performance against Spain — has turned him into an international name, Al Jazeera reported. Coach Bubista summed up the spirit of the run by saying everyone is entitled to dream and nothing is impossible.
Two communities, one plaza
The city framed the watch party as more than a Cabo Verde celebration. Today's opponent, Argentina, has one of the most passionate fan bases on the planet, and Tampa's Argentine community is being welcomed to gather at the same plaza and cheer for the reigning champions. Mayor Jane Castor said the World Cup has a way of bringing people together across cultures, languages and borders, and described the party as a chance to show why Tampa is a welcoming place for fans from around the world, according to the city's announcement.
Note: The match itself is being played at Miami Stadium — the Tampa event is a public watch party, not the game. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Eastern.
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If you go
Downtown parking fills quickly for evening events near the Convention Center and Riverwalk. Give yourself extra time, and consider bringing water — early July heat and humidity are no joke for an outdoor gathering. The plaza opens two hours before kickoff, so arriving early is the easiest way to find a good spot in front of one of the screens.
Admission is free, and food and beverages will be available for purchase from The Sail on the plaza. Because it's an outdoor, all-ages setting along the waterfront, it's an easy option for families looking for something to do on the holiday weekend — whether you're a die-hard soccer fan or just want to be part of the crowd.
Win or lose today, Cabo Verde's run has already put Tampa on the map as a World Cup home base — bringing international players, traveling fans and global media attention to a corner of Town 'N Country most residents pass without a second thought. For one summer, a tiny Atlantic archipelago and a Florida city have shared a story.
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For more on this and other happenings around town, visit Tampa Community Website and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X for updates as the day unfolds. Heading to The Sail Plaza tonight? Tell us who you're cheering for and share your photos by joining the conversation in our Community Forum.
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