Korean communities across US unite behind Korea in World Cup

Fans celebrate Korea's winning goal against Czechia during a World Cup watch party in Los Angeles, Jun. 11. Captured from FOX Soccer YouTube channel

SEATTLE — Korean community organizations and businesses across the United States organized watch parties for Thursday's World Cup group stage match between Korea and Mexico, building on the enthusiasm that drew fans to similar gatherings during the team's opening victory over Czechia last week.

From Seattle and Los Angeles to New York, Korean Americans have turned restaurants, community centers and public venues into gathering places for supporters eager to cheer on the national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In the Seattle area, local Korean organizations hosted public viewing events for Korea's tournament opener against Czechia last Thursday and planned additional gatherings for the Mexico match.

The largest event was scheduled at Seattle Center's Mural Amphitheatre, an outdoor venue near the iconic Space Needle that regularly hosts major public festivals and cultural events. The gathering carried added significance in Seattle, one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Organizers combined the watch party with K-pop performances and other cultural activities as part of a broader Korean cultural festival.

"This is not an event for any one organization, but a festival that the entire Korean community in Seattle can create together and take pride in together," said Kim Won-jun, president of the Korean Association of Greater Seattle.

"There's something special about watching the World Cup with other Koreans. Even though we're thousands of miles from home, it feels like we're all cheering together," said Regina Kim, a Seattle-area fan planning to attend the event.

Similar scenes have played out in Southern California, home to the nation's largest Korean American population. Restaurants and businesses in Los Angeles' Koreatown promoted viewing events and special gatherings tied to the tournament, while community organizations encouraged fans to come together in support of the national team.

On the East Coast, Korean Americans in New York also planned to watch the match in groups at restaurants, bars and community venues, continuing a tradition of gathering for major international sporting events involving Korea.

For many participants, the events represent more than soccer.

World Cup watch parties have long served as opportunities for overseas Koreans to connect with their heritage while sharing a common experience with fellow immigrants, Korean Americans and international students.

Community leaders say such gatherings often bring together multiple generations of Korean Americans, including younger fans experiencing large World Cup cheering events for the first time.

"The World Cup is about more than soccer for me. It's one of the few times when people from different generations come together to celebrate being Korean," said Jayden Park, a Korean American college student in New York.

The events have also attracted non-Korean spectators interested in Korea's fan culture, which is known for coordinated chants, red-colored apparel and large public cheering sections.

Korea entered the Mexico match after defeating Czechia 2-1 in its opening Group A match on Jun. 11, giving supporters reason for optimism as the team seeks to advance to the knockout stage.