2014 World Cup Qualifiers: Best Places to Watch in NYC

Oye fútbol fanáticos: we’re heading into the last two CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying Matchdays of the year! In case you haven’t already been following with bated breath, or in case the only thing you know about the World Cup are the lyrics to Waka Waka, here’s a brief explanation of how the qualifiers work – because it’s actually a pretty arduous process.

In order to reduce approximately 200 teams down to the final 32, the world is split into six FIFA continental zones: Africa, Asia, North and Central America and Caribbean, South America, Oceania, and Europe. Each zone holds qualifying tournaments organized by their respective confederations in order to fill the slots FIFA has allotted them, before going on to intercontinental matches.

The South American Zone, run by a Confederation known en español as CONMEBOL, sees nine national teams competing for 4 places in the finals. All CONMEBOL national teams play against each other twice on a home-and-away basis – except Brazil, which is guaranteed a slot as host country – and the last matches of 2012 are taking place this month on October 12 and October 16 (before they resume again in March of 2013).

Now that we’ve gotten that stuff out of they way, on to the important business: Where to Watch. It’s not hard to find a list of good soccer bars in New York – in fact, we wrote about several here. However, it’s harder to pinpoint the perfect place to watch if you’re un hincha peruano, or if you want to scream “Vamos los pibes!” con los argentinos. Remezcla to the rescue – below find our curated list of the perfect spot to root for your team. Predictably, they’re pretty much all in Queens because let’s face it, so are the bulk of NYC’s latinoamericanos. Without further ado:

The Boca/River rivalry may divide many Argentinos, but they try to put their differences aside when it comes to cheering for the home team. The Boca Juniors Argentinian Steakhouse is the place to watch all the Argie matches alongside some parilla, Quilmes, and a roomful of Argentinian football cumbia goons who like to get rowdy.

81-08 Queens Boulevard Elmhurst, NY 11373 (718) 429-2077

October 12
Argentina VS Uruguay 8:00 PM EST
October 16
Chile VS Argentina 8:05 PM EST

If you’re rooting for Bolivia, head to Mi Bolivia in Woodside, Queens. Is this place kind of a trek for the non-Queens resident? Yes. But if you’re looking for the most authentic Bolivian food and fútbol fans, this is your spot. Regulars at this no frills eatery toss back Paceña lagers and salteñas (kind of like a Bolivian empanada) for less than $2 a pop. Which is the perfect way to celebrate (or grieve) for your team – depending on how it all turns out.

44-10 48th Ave, Woodside, NY 11377 (718) 784-5111

October 12
Bolivia VS Peru 4:00 PM EST
October 16
Bolivia VS Uruguay 4:00 PM EST

San Antonio Bakery II is the spot to watch Chile take on Ecuador and Argentina while filling yourself with the most delectable Chilean hot dog concoctions you could ever dream of. They also have killer desserts – don’t miss the alfajores.

3620 Astoria Blvd Astoria, NY 11103 (718) 777-8733

October 12
Ecuador VS Chile 5:00 PM EST
October 16
Chile VS Argentina 8:05 PM EST

Colombia soccer fans took a blow when 24-hour Colombian restaurant/bar/lounge/nightclub/theater Natives closed last year. In its stead head to La Pollera Colorada to cheer for Falcao while enjoying some comida típica.

41-20 Greenpoint Avenue Sunnyside, NY 11104 (718) 729-8586

October 12
Colombia VS Paraguay 4:30 PM EST

Ecuadorians are the largest South American immigrant community in Queens, so fans of La Tri will be going strong at Roosevelt Tropical, where you can get an extensive variety of ceviches and fruit shakes to go with your Antonio Valencia cheers.

6722 Roosevelt Avenue Woodside, NY 11377 (718) 205-6027

October 12
Ecuador VS Chile 5:00 PM EST
October 16
Venezuela VS Ecuador 6:00 PM EST

If you’re rooting for Paraguay head to I love PY Bakery for fresh juices, some of the best empanadas in the whole entire borough (a rare distinction) and to watch dreamy Roque Santa Cruz. His Wikipedia page says he has “natural flair” and you wouldn’t want to miss that.

43-16 Greenpoint Ave, Sunnyside, NY 11104 (718) 786-5534

October 12
Colombia VS Paraguay 4:30 PM EST

If you’re rooting for Peru, join los lorchos at El Pollo Inka Peru. They’ve got the best ají I’ve had in New York (and I’ve sampled a lot), and plenty of Cristal to wash it down with. Food portions are big, cheap and delicious.

89-12 Northern Blvd, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 (718) 505-1313

October 12
Bolivia VS Peru 4:00 PM EST
October 16
Paraguay VS Peru 6:00 PM EST

We have it on good authority – from no less than the Cosmos Copa Uruguay Team President – that all the real Uruguay fans watch matches at La Gran Uruguaya Bakery, where you can get enjoy the games with some empanadas, dulce de luche filled churros (NOM NOM), and – in case of food coma – some cups of strong yerba maté to wake you up.

85-06 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 (718) 505-0404

October 12
Argentina VS Uruguay 8:00 PM EST
October 16
Bolivia VS Uruguay 4:00 PM EST

Venezuela recently saw one of its highest voter participation rates in decades, with almost 81% of voters going to the polls. We’ll see if fútbol fans match that civic participation for Oct. 16th’s match. You can cheer on the La Vinotinto underdogs as you munch on patacones and arepa sandwiches at Patacon Pisao in Elmhurst. Keep an eye out for Jose Manuel Rey, Venezuela’s most capped player ever, surpassing 100 international appearances.

85-22 Grand Ave. Elmhurst, NY 11373 (718) 899-8922

October 16
Venezuela VS Ecuador 6:00 PM EST