The "World Cup Festival 2026," a local event launched this week in the Syrian capital, has transformed the old Damascus Fairgrounds into a public fan zone combining live match screenings with entertainment and recreational activities.
by Hummam Sheikh Ali
DAMASCUS, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Fans lingered long into the night Thursday, eyes glued to a giant outdoor screen as cheers erupted through the square. This was not New York, Toronto, or Mexico City; this was Damascus, where even amid the city's scars, the World Cup drew people together in a rare, electrifying moment of joy.
The "World Cup Festival 2026," a local event launched this week in the Syrian capital, has transformed the old Damascus Fairgrounds into a public fan zone combining live match screenings with entertainment and recreational activities.
At the center of the festival grounds stood a towering illuminated football-shaped structure overlooking hundreds of spectators, who gathered in front of a massive screen set to broadcast the matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and continue screening games throughout the coming weeks.
Organized by the administration of the event in cooperation with the country's General Organization for Fairs and International Markets, the event runs from June 11 until July 19 to coincide with the World Cup tournament.
The festival features large public viewing areas, food stalls, sports-themed activities and entertainment spaces, attracting football fans from different age groups.
As music played and crowds moved through brightly lit pathways decorated with flags from different countries, many visitors described the event as a rare opportunity for collective celebration after years dominated by war and economic hardship.
"This is something very beautiful and it helps ease the worries we see every day in the news, whether true or false," Ahmad al-Nazzah, a visitor from the city of Deir al-Zour, told Xinhua. "All of this affects the psychology of society, especially young people and children. In my opinion, this is something wonderful and I hope it will happen more often."
For many visitors, the festival represented more than a sports gathering, serving also as a social space bringing people together through football.
"The atmosphere is very beautiful because everything is in one place, food, drinks, entertainment and a giant screen," Anas Somiyeh, a visitor in Damascus, told Xinhua. "This is something new in Syria, where people gather and come with friends. Syria really needs this because it is coming out of war and people need moments of joy. We hope this happiness continues."
Organizers say the festival aims to recreate the atmosphere of international fan zones commonly seen during major global tournaments while also providing a safe public space for families and youth.
"Today we are living under great pressure, and sports have always been an outlet for people everywhere in the world," said Mazen Qudsi, an organizer of the event. "In countries emerging from wars and difficult circumstances, sports are what bring people together and create moments people have not experienced for a long time."
As the matches continue throughout the coming weeks, crowds are expected to keep gathering nightly in Damascus, where football fans say the festival offers not only entertainment but also a brief sense of normalcy and togetherness amid ongoing challenges.■
