Everett kicks off World Cup in style
Published 2:46 pm Wednesday, June 10, 2026
EVERETT — As Mexico and South Africa kicked off the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday, the city of Everett opened the tournament with its first Waterfront Watch Party under clear skies at Boxcar Park.
“Any time we can bring the community together to celebrate something like sports and show off our beautiful waterfront, it’s a great idea,” Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin told The Herald. “The World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world, and we were honored to be a fan zone. There’s no better place to host it than right here on the waterfront.”
Both local fans and those visiting from abroad gathered in front of a large stage with a big screen broadcasting the game. Seven food trucks, a beer garden and activity tents sponsored by local businesses surrounded the majority pro-Mexico crowd, which went into a frenzy following Julián Quiñones’ goal in the ninth minute to put El Tri ahead 1-0.
But before the game got underway, Jaime Mendez and Diana Oliveros from Se Habla Media emcee’d multiple activities on the main stage beginning when the Watch Party opened at 10 a.m. until the game kicked off just after 12 p.m. One of those happened to be a longest ‘Gol’ call contest, which Kelvis Mulima won against five other contestants with a call lasting over 19 seconds.
Mulima, 49, moved to Everett from Uganda at 18 years old. After spending his youth attending large gatherings to watch big soccer matches, he jumped at the opportunity to take in the experience on Thursday. Wearing a Seattle Sounders T-shirt and a Team USA cap, Mulima did not enter the park expecting to participate in a ‘Gol’ call contest, but he had no doubt about winning once he got called to the stage.
“I’m a singer … When I looked at (the competition), I don’t think that they can hold their voice longer than what I can do,” Mulima said. “When we sing, you’re always holding the voice when you try to sing the note that you want, so I knew I was going to win. 100 percent.”
Among the local fans were foreign visitors such as Alpha Malinda, who adorned a custom jacket with over 40 national flags stitched in representing every country he has visited. Malinda arrived to the United States from Tanzania nearly two weeks ago, traveling from the East Coast to Seattle, where he plans to attend two World Cup games at Lumen Stadium before extending his trip to Canada and Mexico. After hearing about the watch party, Malinda decided to work it into his itinerary, and even wore a Mexico jersey under his jacket to fit in with the crowd.
“Most of all, it’s to see the people,” Malinda, 41, said. “I’m so excited with the Mexican community over here, which are cheering for their team so I’m joining (in with them) to see what’s really happening in the World Cup.”
Upon the final whistle of Mexico’s 2-0 win, the crowd broke into applause, and postgame festivities continued on the main stage for an hour after the game ended.
Thursday marked the first of four watch parties scheduled to take place during the World Cup, with others scheduled for Friday as well as June 18 and 19.
