Getty Images/Cameron Spencer

Jacob Burns of the Socceroos contests the ball with Anthony Annan of Ghana during the international friendly match between the Australian Socceroos and Ghana at Sydney Football Stadium on May 23, 2008 in Sydney, Australia

Some claim that soccer will never gain a significant foothold in American culture—that it offers too little scoring and can’t be broken down into clean statistics such as passing yards, home runs and free-throw percentage. Futbol, they say, will never approach the popularity of football in the United States.

This is probably true, but so too is the fact that no sporting event captures the attention of our great American melting pot quite like the World Cup. For four weeks every four years, the world—and that includes the United States—pays scrupulously close attention.

Starting Friday, people in the Bay Area will come to realize this.

Games run from June 11 through July 11, with 32 countries competing in South Africa. Opening rounds of group play run through June 25, with regularly scheduled game times at 4:30 a.m., 7 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. PDT. 

Locally, games will be blaring from windows in every neighborhood. Flags from around the world will be unfurled from windowsills and staked to the roofs of cars. Horns will sound, and area bars will see unusual pre-noon business.

One can’t be guaranteed to hear the Spanish “Ole” chant over the next month, but it’s a pretty good bet.

The field is divided into groups of four, which play each other exclusively through the tournament’s first two weeks. The top two teams in each grouping advance to the round of 16.

The United States is in Group C, along with England, Slovenia and Algeria, and stands a strong chance of advancing. The U.S. opens against England on Saturday, June 12 at 11:30 a.m.

The Americans boast a tall, physical team that is long on strength and short on experience. The squad is led by once-local Landon Donovan—the all-time U.S. scoring leader, who played for the San Jose Earthquakes from 2001-04, during which time he won two championships and back-to-back U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year awards.

Other key players for the United States include forward Clint Dempsey (the team’s most creative player) and goalkeeper Tim Howard.

The U.S. has proven to be resilient in recent global tournaments. In the 2002 World Cup, the Americans improbably reached the quarterfinals, and at last year’s Confederations Cup they beat top-ranked Spain to reach the final.

Should such success be replicated, this tournament will go, locally, from difficult to ignore – to impossible. So much for America’s dispassion for soccer.

The Bay Area’s abundant international interests offer plentiful opportunities to engage in locally diverse viewing, with followers of specific teams having numerous options to watch with like-minded compatriots.

United States World Cup Schedule

June 12 vs. England, 11:30 a.m.

June 18 vs. Slovenia, 7 a.m.

June 23 vs. Algeria, 7 a.m.

Open to All

San Francisco will be hosting an ongoing viewing party, in the front yard of City Hall. A 13-by-18-foot video screen at Civic Center Plaza will broadcast selected matches (including U.S. v. England on June 12, at 11:30 a.m.; and U.S. v. Algeria on June 23, at 7 a.m.) as well as every quarterfinal, semifinal and finals match. For a complete schedule, visit the World Cup Live San Francisco 2010 at Civic Center Plaza Facebook page.

On Saturday, June 12, AT&T Park will open its gates for the U.S. v. England match (gates open at 10 a.m.), shown on the high-definition scoreboard in center field. Admission is free, and beer vendors will be on hand for the 5,000 people expected to show up. (Stick around for the Giants game that night, if you’re so inclined, though you’ll have to buy a ticket for that.)

The Standbys

The fact that Ireland will not be represented in the tournament (thanks to a disputed call in its final qualifying game against France) doesn’t mean that Irish pubs are tuning out. To the contrary, they’re offering more international flavor than ever.

Combined with non-Irish establishments that have always served soccer-minded patrons well, San Francisco offers an abundance of game-time options, no matter who one follows. Every bar in this category will be open early and showing every game.

Kezar Pub (770 Stanyan Street)

With 22 TV screens, this place is a year-round magnet for fans of the Euro sports scene. “This is kind of where you go to watch it if you can’t really make it,” said Colum Crowley, a bartender at the pub.

Mad Dog in the Fog (530 Haight Street)

Big on soccer even in non-World Cup years, the Mad Dog, along with Kezar, will rerun every day’s game for its evening crowd, at 5, 7 and 9 p.m., in order of start times.

Maggie McGarry’s (1353 Grant Avenue; North Beach)

While the bar won’t open for the 4:30 a.m. games, it will play them back at 7 a.m., alongside the games that will be showing live. Drink specials on Trumer Pils will be offered throughout the tournament, as will a variety of ethnic drink specials that rotate based on the teams that happen to be playing. U.S. v. England on June 12 will be especially monumental for bartender Patrick Dunphy, an Englishman who’s spent the preceding months getting into good-natured tussles with fans of the American side. “I’m going to die if England loses,” he said. “The Americans here are all ready to give me stink.” (After that game, the bar will host a book signing for “World Cup 2010: The Indispensable Guide to Soccer and Geopolitics.”)

Danny Coyle’s (688 Haight Street) 

DC’s will also show replays in the evening; the entire six-games-per-day schedule through June 25 can be found on its website.

Breakfast Adventures

While it’s no fun to wake up early for games from South Africa, it at least gives one the opportunity to have breakfast in front of the TV. In Berkeley, the Triple Rock (1920 Shattuck Avenue) will be opening at 10 a.m., and serving breakfast burritos with ingredients determined by the countries playing in that day’s late game. Luka’s Taproom & Lounge in Downtown Oakland (2221 Broadway) will be showing the 7 a.m. games with a $10 cover, which includes breakfast.

In San Francisco, Lefty O’Doul’s (333 Geary Street) and Jillian’s (101 Fourth Street) will be open for 7 a.m. games, both serving breakfast fare.

Name Your Country

Argentina

June 12 vs. Nigeria, 7 a.m.

June 17 vs. Korea Republic, 4:30 a.m.

June 22 vs. Greece, 11:30 a.m.

Perhaps the most intriguing World Cup-themed establishment in San Francisco is the 2010 World Cup at the Mercury Lounge (1582 Folsom Street), initiated by soccer-mad half-Argentine siblings specifically to show these games. They’ll be open for every contest with an abundance of TV screens. Drink specials include free coffee or $1 beer for those present at 7 a.m. kickoffs; $1 beer for those sporting a team’s jersey as that team is playing; and $1 beer for those bearing a fresh taxi receipt, with the goal of partially subsidizing long lunches for footie fans.

For those south of the city, Argentine restaurant Villa del Sol (423 Grand Avenue, South San Francisco) will open at 6 a.m. with breakfast specials and copious numbers of countrymen.

Australia

June 13 vs. Germany, 11:30 a.m.

June 19 vs. Ghana, 7 a.m.

June 23 vs. Serbia, 11:30 a.m.

The good news for local fans of the Socceroos is that no team’s games start later in the day. The bad news for local fans of the Socceroos is that San Francisco has a dearth of Aussie-specific restaurants and bars in which to watch the games. In the second batch of good news, the local Australia Chamber of Commerce has rented out a private room at Pete’s Tavern (128 King Street, San Francisco) for the opening game against Germany. A $20 cover includes bar food, a raffle to win an autographed team jersey and the pleasure of imbibing with people for whom imbibing is second nature.

Brazil

June 15 vs. Korea DPR, 11:30 a.m.

June 20 vs. Ivory Coast, 11:30 a.m.

June 25 vs. Portugal, 7 a.m.

There is no more soccer-mad nation than Brazil, and that goes for the country’s expatriates, as well. Watch every Brazil game live in San Francisco at the Brazilian Pizza Orgasmica (823 Clement Street), and in Berkeley at Nino’s Brazilian Restaurant & Pizzeria (1916 Martin Luther King Jr. Way).

Chile

June 16 vs. Honduras, 4:30 a.m.

June 21 vs. Switzerland, 7 a.m.

June 25 vs. Spain, 11:30 a.m.

Café Valparaiso in Berkeley (3105 Shattuck Avenue) offers Chilean fare; although it’s typically open only Wednesday through Sunday, owner Pablo Valenzuela is making an exception for Chile’s second game, against Switzerland. The café should also be rocking on June 25. The regular breakfast menu will be in effect, as will special empanadas. “If people get nervous, they should eat before the game,” said Valenzuela. Call to confirm times: (510) 841-3800.

England

June 12 vs. USA, 11:30 a.m.

June 18 vs. Algeria, 11:30 a.m.

June 23 vs. Slovenia, 7 a.m.

The Pig & Whistle (2801 Geary Boulevard) is San Francisco’s pre-eminent British bar. Though they won’t be showing the 4:30 a.m. games live, they’ll shoehorn recordings of them between the 7 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. games, at 9 a.m. “We’re a British bar, and we’ll be rooting for England,” said bar manager Chris McKenna. “Still, we get a lot of support for the Americans, and I imagine the smaller African countries will be quite popular.”

For those rooting against England, Ireland’s 32 (3920 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco) will pass out free shots for every goal scored against the Brits.

Germany

June 13 vs. Australia, 11:30 a.m.

June 18 vs. Serbia, 4:30 a.m.

June 23 vs. Ghana, 11:30 a.m.

In Alameda, Speisekammer (2424 Lincoln Avenue) will be showing all the Germany matches live, as well as a host of others. Schroeder’s (240 Front Street, San Francisco) will be serving breakfast for the 7 a.m. and later games. No word yet if they’ll open early for the game on June 18; call to find out more (415-421-4778).

Italy

June 14 vs. Paraguay, 11:30 a.m.

June 20 vs. New Zealand, 7 a.m.

June 24 vs. Slovakia, 7 a.m.

One will be hard pressed to pass even three doorways in North Beach without finding an opportunity to watch soccer while Italy is playing. The Steps of Rome (362 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco) is among the most prominent options, as it will be open for all the 7 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. games, and many of the 4:30 a.m. games. The restaurant will be serving breakfast and pizza, and, in the spirit of turning the event into a party, will offer beer specials, giveaways and a variety of contests.

Japan

June 14 vs. Cameroon, 7 a.m.

June 19 vs. Netherlands, 4:30 a.m.

June 24 vs. Denmark, 11:30 a.m.

“There’s definitely a Japanese interest in the World Cup, but people will likely watch in their homes,” said Ethan Savage, culture affairs coordinator for the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco. “They don’t congregate for this kind of thing like the Italians or French or Germans. It’s just not a sports-bar culture.”

That said, a quick trip through Japantown in San Francisco—especially for the late games—may pay dividends for those looking to watch soccer with at least a few Japanese folks.

Korea Republic

June 12 vs. Greece, 4:30 a.m.

June 17 vs. Argentina, 4:30 a.m.

June 22 vs. Nigeria, 11:30 a.m.

The local Korean community is gathering for the Red Tigers’ opening game on June 12, at Strike! Cupertino (10123 North Wolfe Road). Admission is free; doors open at 3 a.m., with Korean food, beer specials and drink discounts at the appropriate hour. Because it’s located at a bowling alley/entertainment center, $15 will also get you unlimited bowling, including shoes. Find more information at the Red Tigers San Francisco’s Facebook page.

Mexico

June 11 vs. South Africa, 7 a.m.

June 17 vs. France, 11:30 a.m.

June 22 vs. Uruguay, 7 a.m.

There’s no better collection of soccer-crazed Mexicans in San Francisco than at the El Farolito Bar (2779 Mission Street), which also serves as host for the local El Farolito Soccer Club. They’ll be open for all the 7 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. games, and will feature a breakfast menu. If you get hungry, the legendary El Farolito taqueria is right next door.

New Zealand

June 15 vs. Slovakia, 4:30 a.m.

June 20 vs. Italy, 7 a.m.

June 24 vs. Paraguay, 7 a.m.

They’re still weighing their early-morning options at the New Zealander Pub (1400 Webster Street, Alameda). If you’re dying to watch the All Whites with like-minded kiwis, give a call: (510) 769-8555.

Portugal

June 15 vs. Ivory Coast, 7 a.m.

June 21 vs. North Korea, 4:30 a.m.

June 25 vs. Brazil, 7 a.m.

At night, Horatius (350 Kansas Street, San Francisco) is a 5,000-foot wine bar with Portuguese-inspired food. In the morning it’s a café. During the World Cup, it’ll turn into a de facto sports bar, showing every game live on a 15-by-15-foot projection screen. Horatio Gomes, the Venezuelan son of a Portuguese immigrant who has himself lived in Portugal, will offer free coffee to patrons of the early games. Breakfast food will be available.

Slovakia

June 15 vs. New Zealand, 4:30 a.m.

June 20 vs. Paraguay, 4:30 a.m.

June 24 vs. Italy, 7 a.m.

Jerry Sedivy, owner of D.J.’s Bistro (1825 C Sutter Street, Concord), is from the Czech Republic, and offers an Eastern European menu that includes Slovak Brochette. D.J.’s will open in time for the 7 a.m. games every day.