The closest World Cup match to Pasadena and Altadena this week will not be played at the Rose Bowl. It will be played 25 miles southwest, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, at noon on Thursday.
Switzerland meets Bosnia and Herzegovina there in Match 26 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a Group B game with a 12:00 p.m. Pacific kickoff. For Pasadena-area fans, it is the closest match in a tournament otherwise scattered across three countries. Visit Pasadena, the city’s destination marketing organization, has positioned Pasadena as a launching point for SoFi-bound fans, citing Metro’s A Line and direct-service buses. The City of Pasadena hosted a free public watch party for Team USA’s June 12 opener against Paraguay but has not announced one for this match.
That leaves Pasadena and Altadena fans with three practical choices: drive or ride to SoFi, watch at a local bar, or stay home and turn on FOX.
Visit Pasadena’s guide lays out two Metro paths to the stadium. The everyday transit option — A Line to E Line to shuttle — covers about 25 miles and takes roughly one hour 20 minutes to one hour 40 minutes, per the guide’s transit summary. For tournament days, riders can take the A Line to Union Station and board a direct-service bus that LA Metro is operating to SoFi for the duration of the World Cup. According to LA Metro’s match-day guidance, as reproduced by Visit Pasadena, “Ride Metro bus, rail or regional transit to a direct service pick-up location near you. No reservation needed.” Altadena residents can reach the A Line at the Memorial Park or Lake stations in Pasadena.
For those staying closer to home, Visit Pasadena lists several local sports bars in its FIFA World Cup 2026 guide: Lucky Baldwin’s Pub, described in the guide as an old-school British pub with 60-plus rotating beers; Kings Row Gastropub, identified as an official LAFC partner; and Barney’s Beanery, Rocco’s Tavern, Freddie’s 35er, Congregation Ale House, Hot Wings Cafe, and T. Boyle’s Tavern.
The match itself carries some narrative weight. Bosnia and Herzegovina arrived at the World Cup the hard way, defeating Wales 1-1 on penalties (4-2) on March 26 and then beating four-time champions Italy 1-1 on penalties (4-1) in the Path A final on March 31, per Olympics.com’s playoff results. Switzerland, ranked 17th by FIFA according to ESPN’s analysis at the time of the December 2025 World Cup draw, enters as one of Group B’s heavier favorites. Both teams play first-round matches before this one: Switzerland faces Qatar at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Saturday, June 13, and Bosnia meets Canada at BMO Field in Toronto on Friday, June 12.
The 2026 tournament runs from June 11 through July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and has expanded to 48 teams. SoFi Stadium, home of the Rams and Chargers, is hosting eight matches.
In a statement issued by the City of Pasadena in connection with its June 12 watch party, Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger said the World Cup offers Pasadena a regional moment.
“Pasadena’s role as a host city is a big point of pride for Los Angeles County and a chance to showcase our community on a global stage,” Barger said in the city’s release. “I encourage fans to take advantage of public transportation and enjoy all that Pasadena, and its surrounding communities have to offer.”
Kickoff is at noon on Thursday. The match airs on FOX.
FIFA World Cup — SUI vs. ITA/NIR/WAL/BIH (Match 26) — 12:00 p.m. PT, viewing throughout Pasadena. 🔗 https://www.visitpasadena.com/pasadena-football-world-championship-guide/
