What it was like
One of six group stage matches at SoFi Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup — Belgium vs Iran on June 21. Group stage World Cup games at SoFi kick off at midday or early afternoon local time, making for a full day of pre-match energy in the Inglewood corridor.
Belgium arrive as one of the tournament's most tactically complete sides: a generation with genuine world-class depth playing at the peak of their system. Iran qualified from a competitive AFC field and arrive with a unified structure and a passionate diaspora fan base across Southern California. The Iranian-American community in Los Angeles County is one of the largest in the country, and World Cup matches involving Iran draw crowds that turn sections of SoFi into a full national celebration. These are the matches that cannot be manufactured — two different football cultures, two different stories, one room.
SoFi Stadium seats 70,000+ with a retractable roof and natural grass. Tailgate zones open hours before kickoff on stadium grounds. Metro K Line connects downtown Los Angeles to the stadium area — strongly recommended over driving, as parking fills fast. The World Cup fan corridor in Inglewood includes food vendors, official merchandise, and fan zones outside the gates. Tickets through FIFA's official platform only.