World Cup viewing party happening in Civic Center

Update: Croatia will take on France this Sunday at the final World Cup game.

Do you have a taste for the FIFA World Cup 2018, but a distaste for watching sports inside boozy bars? You’re in luck—the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department will host three free public viewing parties for the World Cup games this week.

Here’s the breakdown:

The two semi-finals scheduled for Tuesday, July 10 and Wednesday, July 11 will be aired live at Sue Bierman Park (Washington and Drumm Streets). The first semifinal pairing, France versus Belgium, will be on Tuesday, while the second match, Croatia versus England, goes down on Wednesday. Both games begin at 11 a.m.

The two winners of the semifinals will then go on to play in the finale on Sunday. However, this game will be aired live at Civic Center Plaza.

In addition to the screenings, there will be soccer activities for children, face painting, a mobile rock climbing wall, and food trucks.

As for which country will be named the world’s next top soccer team, SB Nation says that France has the best shot of winning, saying, “They’re the most talented team in the tournament, and have been since the first day.”

Odd fact: Did you know that the two teams who do not advance to the finals play each other in a separate game for third place? True. But the bronze-medal match will not be aired live by the city.

• World Cup 2018 [SB Nation]
• World Cup soccer live and free [San Francisco Recreation and Park Department]
• The 4 remaining World Cup teams, ranked by how likely they are to win the thing [SB Nation]