When the 2018 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Russia on Thursday, Brock University will be ready.

Brock International Services has planned a series of events to bring together soccer fans and celebrate the world’s most popular sport.

Throughout the month-long tournament, viewing parties will be held for live games on a big screen on campus. Also planned is a co-ed outdoor soccer tournament and, for those less inclined to hit the field in person, a FIFA eSports video game competition.

Soccer — or football, depending on where you call home — has an estimated 265 million participants worldwide. During the last World Cup in 2014, about 3.6 billion viewers tuned in, making it the most watched sporting event of all time.

With a robust community of 1,900 international students from 101 countries, as well as countless domestic students who double as soccer fans, the University felt it fitting to provide a venue for students to cheer on their home countries and other soccer favourites.

The festivities start Thursday, June 14 with a viewing party for the opening game between host country Russia and Saudi Arabia at 11 a.m. in the International Centre Global Commons (GLB104). Viewing parties will also be held June 15, 21 and 27, and for a round of 16 game July 3 at 2 p.m. and semi-final game July 10 at 2 p.m.

Snacks and drinks will be provided at all games, while supplies last.

Brock International Services’ World Cup co-ed soccer tournament will take place on Alumni Field Saturday, July 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Niagara community members aged 12 and over, regardless of experience, are encouraged to participate in the knockout-style (single elimination) tournament.

While entry is free, donations of non-perishable food items are encouraged for the Brock University Students’ Union Food First program, which reopens in September.

“It’s a great opportunity to make new friends, engage in physical activity and experience the spirited competition that makes soccer the most popular sport in the world,” said Sandra Gruosso, interim Associate Director of International Services.

The intramural rules tournament will consist of a maximum of eight teams, who can expect to play on a half field for 20 minutes per half with a five-minute intermission. Prizes and commemorative medals will be awarded to the first-place team.

Food will be available to purchase.

Interested participants can sign-up individually or as a team by July 11 at noon.

For those who love soccer, but not its physical demands, Brock is also hosting a FIFA eSports video game tournament Thursday, June 21 from 1 to 6 p.m.

EA Sports FIFA is a massively popular, multiplayer online video game first released in 1993 that allows fans to play as their soccer idols.

All Brock students, of all experience levels, are invited to the International Centre Global Commons (GLB104) to participate.

During the tournament, students can expect to play as one of the 32 nations competing in the World Cup, with the winner receiving a $75 Visa gift card. Students must register online by Tuesday, June 19 at noon.

For more information or to register for the events, visit Brock International’s website.

Questions about Brock’s World Cup events can be sent to Ehima Osazuwa, International Engagement Co-ordinator, at eosazuwa@brocku.ca or 905 688 5550 x4240.