The “Most Important Game” Campaign Brings Climate Dialogue to World Cup Watch Parties

World Cup Viewing Parties Bring Latino Communities Together Around Climate Issues in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Atlanta

WASHINGTON — Climate Power En Acción hosted three World Cup watch parties alongside local partners in Phoenix, Las Vegas and Atlanta, using the joy and energy of fútbol shared across Latino communities as an entry point for a deeper, action-oriented nonpartisan community conversation heading into the November elections.

In Atlanta, Climate Power En Acción hosted its final World Cup event, a reception on Saturday, June 27, for the Colombia vs. Portugal match, which also explored why it has become increasingly expensive to watch the game people love, and what can be done about it. To help map out solutions, Climate Power En Acción convened civic leaders, academics, faith voices, journalists, and partners invested in mobilizing communities across Georgia to watch the match over a buffet dinner and drinks throughout the night.

In Phoenix, alongside Grita Canta Vota, El Verde Es Vida, and Somos Votantes, Climate Power En Acción celebrated its “Fiesta Futlbolera,” a community activation built around the México vs. South Korea World Cup match on June 18. In Las Vegas, the same partners hosted a second edition of “Fiesta Futbolera” for the Mexico vs. Czechia match on June 24.

“The World Cup is more than a celebration of a sporting event. This is an opportunity to bring together communities, not just from across the world but also from within our own home cities,” said Climate Power En Acción Managing Director Elice Rojas-Cruz. “This is the most expensive World Cup fans have ever seen, and it mirrors the rising cost of living that all people in the U.S. are experiencing. We hosted these events to bring people together in joy and to create space to talk about the real issues shaping our daily lives and the solutions we can work toward together.”

At all three events, Climate Power En Acción distributed its World Cup-inspired trading cards. Each card aims to make our message relatable by connecting the World Cup to real climate stakes across different cities: Houston’s oil presence vs. clean energy, Atlanta’s hot summers, and the need to play soccer at night in Phoenix. The front of each card features city-specific soccer visuals that reflect local identity, while the back highlights localized climate impacts, including energy costs, health risks, jobs, and disasters, along with what climate action means for each city. Attendees received a full set featuring all 10 cards.

These events are part of Climate Power En Acción’s “The Most Important Game” World Cup campaign, which uses the 2026 World Cup as an anchor to draw attention to how climate change is impacting our communities.

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